Hard to believe this wooded oasis is right smack in the middle of LA! Short drive (15 min) from Rodeo Dr area through a pretty neighborhood and a canyon up to the nature preserve. We did not have a problem with parking rufht next to the trails, but I think you can park below if an issue. Parking lots on either side. The road through it is a big U shape. There’s a reservoir and short hiking trails all around. On the west side is a really cute turtle pond that’s great for people that might have difficulty walking as it’s all flat and a short distance and you can park right in front. Enjoy this beautiful area anytime you need have a need for some nature. But watch out - POISON OAK everywhere along the trail. It’s cut back but be careful.

Follow the trail north along the east side of Franklin Canyon Lake, passing through the brush, reeds, and trees that encircle the reservoir. If the reservoir looks familiar, it is probably because you saw it in one of the movies or television shows that filmed here (a good list can be found on the Franklin Canyon Park. After a tenth of a mile, you will pass a picnic table that would make a nice snack spot. Continue along the lake shore, keeping the road to your right. You will see plenty of ducks along the water’s edge and maybe even a few turtles. I loved it, it is a short walk but very good as exercise and to get some fresh air, I visited it two days ago and I could see many turtles and ducks, birds, butterflies. Visiting it is free and you will also see the city from above Ke

This is a really pretty natural area hidden surprisingly close to populated areas of LA. The second you drive into the canyon, you feel like you’re miles and miles from civilization! Cell service drops, and you’re really out there. Driving into the park from the south end gives you scenic views along a narrow mountain road with steep cliffs, so be sure to pay close attention when you’re driving and be prepared to have to back up to allow oncoming traffic some space. Do keep in mind this is a canyon, and when it rains it can flood. When I drove down at the bottom of the canyon a couple of days ago, the entire road had a few inches of water on it. A few inches more and I wouldn’t have been able to drive - be careful! If you’re looking for a nice place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, this is a perfect place to go. Lots of wildlife, nice hiking, and great drives! Enjoy!

The park is quiet with a nice trail next to the lake. Look for the stairway at the corner to go down the trail. Watch out for coyotes. Always keep your pets on a leash. Check out the Turtle Pond too for turtles and ducks. You may want to take the upper trail for some sceneries.

Easy, relaxing, dog friendly 1.5 mile walk around the reservoir. Not far from Beverly Hills or the Valley coming up Cold Water Canyon but woodsy enough to feel like your are away from the city. Sit by the water and admire ducks, turtles and Coy fish or setup camp on one of the many benches throughout. Great for an outdoor gathering with parking opportunities all around the reservoir. If 1.5 miles isn't enough you can venture off on a few off trails that lead away from the reservoir.

Franklin Canyon Park is in The hills of BH and extends to the Santa Monica Mountains, which it is part of. This is a very scenic park with wildlife, walking hiking paths, a lake, a running stream, and it's about a 5-10 mins drive from Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. A great mini getaway and feel nature within the city. So many rules are enforced here and this park is heavily monitored via camera and park patrol personnel, who are fond of issuing tickets! It's a bit to a challenge finding the right road to get here. Also, once here in the park it's poor cell reception. And make sure you read the posted park hours signs, gates close as noted. This park is a great place to visit and I highly recommend it.

A beautiful place to visit if you love nature! Highly recommend stopping by the turtle/koi fish pond and taking a walk around the lake through the trails

Reasonably nice. Great to see the lake and the turtles. Good for a family walk. Many trails to choose from but advise. If you have small kids avoid the Blinderman trail. It is very steep going up and coming down. Stick to the other trails which are not too steep. Nice views all-round from different locations if you can go up the trails Parking is free. NICE!

One of my favorite places to hike. A number of options to explore, so you can find your own little corner to claim picnic tables, ponds & turtles!! I will say it was a bit frustrating to see people feeding the wildlife even though it's explicitly friends upon and there are signs everywhere. Great place to have a picnic, take a hike, and enjoy some fresh air & beautiful greenery.

An absolutely beautiful place to hike, and enjoy the views. After all the rain, everything looks so green and pleasant. This is a very family friendly hike. You can choose to just walk on the paved road, or take a stroll in the different hiking trails. We’ve done most of the park, and the trails are easy to walk on. There’s a little stream of water on the side of the main road that is nice to see. There’s a big pond where you can see dozens of turtles, fish, and you can hear frogs/toads mating calls. Most likely you’ll also hear and see many woodpeckers. There’s picnic tables throughout the park where you can sit and take a break. On the park area, there’s bathrooms that are always very clean. And an area where you can refill your water bottles with cold water. It’s also dog friendly, and it’s always nice to see the pups enjoying their walks. There’s different areas to park your car. Be careful driving up the mountains though, the roads are extremely narrow in some areas. And try to get there early, so you can avoid the heat during the hot weather.

Such a wonderful hidden gem. I have lived here my whole life and have never been here before. There are old red woods and a very easy paved walk around the lake (making it easy for older people or parents with strollers) or an easy trail that takes you closer to the waters edge. There is also a very cute small side lake with lots of ducks and huge healthy Koi fish. If you are looking for a close place with the feel like you're way up in the forest, this is the place for you.

Pretty, but watch out for the photo enforced stop signs. They'll send you a $100 ticket and charge you $25 just to contest it.

Great hike nestled off coldwater canyon in Beverly Hills. Can hike to the top of the mountain or walk around the lake that was the backdrop for The Andy Griffith show. See the turtle and duck pond or picnic at one of the many tables scattered throughout the area or just enjoy some peace…..wonderful experience.

Just did a short walk around the 2 ponds. It was pretty quiet and relaxing. Saw a few wildlife which is always a bonus when walking through a conserved area.

This is a short trail but worth it! There's a duck/turtle pond, trail loops around it, lots of vegetation. Parking is not a hassle ( if you get there early) kids friendly

A wonderful place to hike and to take in the beauty and serenity of the lake and park. If you love animals, you'll enjoy seeing the ducks, turtles, and fish there. I will definitely make this a frequent hiking spot!

Jurassic Park of Beverly Hills area 😂 except with turtles, frogs, ducks, and giant koi fish

Beautiful! Plenty of parking and plenty of beautiful trails. Coming into the park can be difficult since you have to go thru a neighborhood with very narrow streets so keep your eyes open

Beautiful place with walks/trails for every ability. Be aware of your surroundings as we did come across a rattle snake on a path!

I love this place and luckily I've nearby. Whenever I need a break from the world, or just LA, I come over here. It's tranquil, quiet and peaceful. It's very common not hear cars at all and instead hear ducks. It's like a surreal quick mini-vacation. All those pine trees surrounding the lake make you feel like you're in the mountains or just not in California. It's highly recommend if you have children. There is a duck pond with Koi fish and turtles, and there's a path tucked right next to the water all around the lake, except for where the dam is. There are takes and benches all around the lake and trails. We picnic here a lot.

Absolutely one of my favorite places in all of Los Angeles. Hidden gem for sure. Great for Hikes, training , shoots , fun and bonding . One of the Hikes over to the dead end is now closing permanently . Parking is super easy. There are ducks , turtles , coyotes , ravens and all other kinds of birds here .

Is a hidden gem full of history as a Hollywood film location. Beautiful and peaceful with ducks turtles songbirds. Parking areas available adjacent to the perimeter road. Nice easy walking trails around the little lake. Hard to believe it’s nestled within a city.

This place will make you forget you’re even in Los Angeles! So much shade all around by the trees. The reservoir adds a character to this area. The main road is what’s accessible and a couple other trails. Some trails are closed due to muddiness and ponding from the previous rainy days. There is quite a lot of parking spots. The road up is narrow. At the moment (5/29/23) Franklin Canyon Dr out to Mulholland Dr is closed.

No entry fee. No parking fee. Lots of parking spots. Tons of dirt roads, you will need a car wash after. Drive slow if you coming from the San Fernando Valley side, it goes through a residential neighborhood with a narrow road, then the park has a lot of dirt roads with pot holes and people walk on some of these roads. They has have signs saying they will fine drivers that don't stop at the sign. There is the big lake that has lots of reeds and trees growing around it, there's a dirt path around it all. There's a much smaller pond next to the lake that is full of turtles. Popular place for little kids to go. There's a few picnick benches there too. In addition there are several other hiking trails going down the hill towards Beverley Hills as well as another tiny pond on the side of the road. Some of these trails get steep so you need good soles. This is a popular filming location. American Horror Story partly filmed the Camp Redwood season at this site since it can pass as a NorCal lake. There are very few homes here actually, no proper cabins.

Excellent place for the hiking and outdoor activities

Awesome place with a nice lake and plenty of wildlife and a Small turtle and coy fish pond. A visitor's center with plenty of shaded trails and mountain views of the lake. Watch for rattlesnakes during warmer seasons!

This area is a gem hidden behind Beverly Hills. Love spending time here. Walk, run or bike ride ...it feels like a different city. Calm and beautiful nature.highly recommend Franklin canyon.

I recently visited Franklin Canyon Park with mixed feelings, and my overall experience was not as enjoyable as I had hoped. While the wildlife present in the park was certainly a highlight, there were a few aspects that left me feeling underwhelmed. Let's start with the positives. The park's abundance of wildlife is undoubtedly captivating. The opportunity to observe various creatures in their natural habitat was a unique and fascinating experience. From chirping birds to curious squirrels, the wildlife definitely adds a touch of enchantment to the surroundings. However, beyond the wildlife, I struggled to find much appeal in Franklin Canyon Park. The overall ambiance felt lackluster, and I found myself yearning for more engaging activities or scenic views. The park seemed to lack the picturesque landscapes or breathtaking vistas that I had anticipated. Furthermore, there were instances where I encountered some peculiar and unexpected elements in the park. While some may find this intriguing, I personally found it somewhat off-putting. Whether it was odd sculptures, unusual structures, or unconventional art installations scattered throughout the area, I couldn't fully grasp their purpose or how they contributed to the park's overall atmosphere. Overall, Franklin Canyon Park left me with mixed feelings. While the wildlife presence was undeniably captivating, the park lacked the scenic beauty and engaging features that I had hoped for. Additionally, the presence of some peculiar elements added an unconventional touch that may appeal to certain individuals, but it didn't resonate with my personal preferences.

Nice hiking spot, turtle pond for kids to explore..some ducks to see as well...

Not bad for casual hike but can’t say it was my ever favorite spot

No enforcement of laws. Dogs not on leashes. Cars and bikers speeding. Potholes all over roads and Mulholland entrance has been closed for over a year. Does anyone care about this place anymore? It’s sad.