Elysian Park Dr

Gorgeous hike for a fresh day ahead! Just minutes from the chaos a haven for a quick hike

I've been on the lookout for dog friendly trails in the area and I can't believe I just found out about this one! I always drive by Stadium Way (below the trail) and I honestly thought it was just a park before lol. Anyway, lots of parking on the street and in the park nearby which is an LA essential. We did the full trail and with stops for our precious doggos, took us about 1.5 hours. It was quite honestly a nice hike with moderate inclines that's very doable. We also tried the trail in reverse just because we parked at the parking lot where the trail ends -- I think the other way was better since you have better views of the city :) well -- i guess you can just look back right.

One of my favorite trails. Always am and afternoon trails worked out well for decompressing from the crazy world

Great views, simple hike, exposed trails, sun screen and sunhat. Also there is a bench and a small garden to enjoy with multiple angles of DTLA. I have started the trail from multiple places such as the Baxter Stairs. Alot of happy dogs on the trail.

Great starter trail in the Griffith Park area. Found this on an app as kind of a beginner/easy hike but it wasn't easy with 80lbs combined of dogs attached to me. Be careful with your doggies who bark or chase other dogs as there's a lot on this trail, which is always a good thing but something to be aware of. Otherwise isolated kinda and beautiful views of the city along the way. Lots of shortcuts if you get tired and don't wanna do the full 3 miles or so.

I always enjoy a great hike. This trail is a loop which goes about three miles. The trail has a mix of flat and steep which allow for a great workout. The trail is perfect for the fur babies as they will enjoy the walk or run they are able to achieve on this trail. The views are worth it as well.

Great trail, as long as you don't take the "shortcut!" Nice, wide path through the hike and very moderate elevation gain in the 1st half. The second half of the trail gets a little steep, but nothing too serious. There's a lot of noise from the traffic below for the first half of the trail, but subsides as you hike deeper into the park. DO NOT TAKE THE SHORTCUT. I made the mistake of taking the shortcut on my way back, instead of going all the way around. I'm not sure if I was more scared of a snake jumping out from each side of the one-foot-wide trail, or slipping because it was steep and I was practically running down from fear of the first reason! The trail is super narrow and overgrown with shrubs and weeds. At one point, everything looked the same and I wandered off trail. Looks like a bunch of other people did as well, considering the trampled overgrowth. It's 0.12 miles that's just not worth saving time for! There's a dog drinking station halfway up as you reach the memorial, and some very pretty flowers around, along with shade and benches.

There are so many different trails to take and different entrances too. Each one is quite similar but boy oh boy, how convenient is it to have a park in the heart of Los Angeles with beautiful views and big tall shade trees? Definitely recommend for any locals or tourists for a quick getaway! I like to go early morning for a fresh breeze and less people. Can get busy by mid-day.

Love this park!! Love the trails.. love to see the areas I've never seen!! This place is huge

Easy trail for family and pets! It's about a 2 mile loop or 1.85 miles walk from the bottom to the top and top back to the bottom. Right next to it is a park and had a lot of trees for shade. It's not the cleanest trail but still a good place to walk. It's not super clear which route turns to the loop so we just did the route back from where we came from to be safe.

Great loop in the middle of LA. The trailhead could use a little more signage, but we used the All Trails app to successfully navigate onto the right path. The trail is dog friendly (on leash) and well-maintained overall. There are a few steep sections. So, make sure to have grippy sneakers on especially after any rain. When we went in April, there were beautiful yellow flowers lining the trail, which made it feel pretty magical!

Most people start the new year with resolutions to become more fit or healthy. I too am one of those individuals who strive for health and fitness! It's been a while since I have gone out for a hike, and I decided that it was time to get out there and enjoy some nature. I wanted to look for something relatively close to downtown LA. I knew this was going to be near impossible since Downtown is basically an urban jungle, but I was optimistic. And behold! Right next to Dodger Stadium, there was a giant park that I never seemed to realize existed. The park itself was very large. I wasn't sure where the trail began, so I just looked for a place to park. Parking lots were available but most people seem to have parked along the streets, just make sure to read the signs! After I found a spot, it was time to search for the trail. I realized the easiest way on to the trail was to find the "Grace E. Simons Lodge" sign. From there you will see a little dirt path going up the hill. It's a very nice trail with wide open space, slight inclines and very beginner friendly. Plenty of people walking their little dogs, and children among the path. You will see both nature and the city on the 2 mile or so trail, with nice patches of shade in some areas because of the hills. Will definitely be back because of the convenient location and accessibility! Beautiful trails with plenty to explore!

Great Park with views of the city, and close to Dodger Stadium. I love taking my dog here for nice walks. There is a fun loop that is relatively easy. There is also a water spout (garden area) in the middle for dogs to get water. Only word of warning is that the trail should be avoided if there is a Dodger home game going on during the same time. You will be caught in massive traffic. Totally recommend if you live in the area.

Quick hike to views of LA. There used to be a swing (the "Secret Swing") where you could take some aesthetic photos but the city took it down due to safety concerns. However, there are still boulders/tree branches where you can take pictures. The hike up is 5 minutes but it's steep - there are a couple of different paths up. The one on the left is less steep and I'd recommend that for going down. Wear sturdy shoes, as the first is loose and gravely. There are plenty of other hikes in Elysian Park and most are family/beginner friendly. Parking was easier than we expected due to coronavirus. There's a parking lot on the bottom or you can also park along the street. There are bathrooms available by the playground but they're not well-kept. There aren't bathrooms or water fountains along the trails. The trails are good for running too. Overall, a nice way to get some fresh air and some steps in while taking in some nice city views.

This beautiful, clean, wide expanse of a trail starts past Grace E. Simone Lodge- use this as a reference point! It's a large loop that can span 2.5 miles though there are several side trail options. Halfway through is a small garden with water and bowls for dogs and spaced throughout are trash cans as well. The trail has several hikers with pups as well as runners. I loved seeing the bright green grass and the feeling of being removed from the city despite being so close. Can't wait to come back and try to run the whole thing!

Such u beautiful place, just enjoying to hike there! Hiking trails are in good conditions, wide and not so many people over there...Fresh air, birdsongs, smell of plants and flowers - that all you need to get out of any stress! Ps no wc's there

Came for a quick hike while in LA to Elysian Park as we had never been after being in LA for so long. It is a nice urban hike with nice views or downtown LA and the La Canada mountains. We did a little over a 3.5 mile hike and the weather was a bit chilly in December 2021. It was also on a day right before the rains. The trail is nice and I like that it has trash cans along the trail. We parked in the park and took the firewood to the actual trail head which isn't too far. you can go to the side of the city view or to these of the Mountain View. Either way is a win win. There isn't much shade on the trails so it could get hot in warmer months. If you are looking for a quick hike, this is a nice place to come to.

This trail had been on our list to hike for sometime and we finally did it. There was no swing there today, it looks as though the ropes had been cut. On either side of where the swing would be the trail is pretty steep and slippery but manageable. This trail for the most part is kid friendly but definitely not for strollers. The views are pretty and the hike is not challenging at all. Parking was easy and there are about 10 spots available, otherwise street parking is available. The trailhead is easy to find and you can start at either side of the loop. Enjoy!

It was a lovely trail and I loved the garden at the top with the water hose and bowl for the dogs. Excellent trail and friendly environment.

I come here quite often and each and every time I come for a walk her I've enjoyed every minute of it. It's awesome when you realize how close to downtown Los Angeles you are and yet it feels like your completely somewhere else . Love that feeling, very safe, lots of friendly people on the trail. Do yourself a favor and come check it out, a whole lot of parking at the park also .

The view was amazing ! It was super hard to find and we got lost LOL but I try to pin it to see exactly where it was there's also a parking once you find it but it's super high in one of the hills next to dodger Stadium. But once you get up there it is beautiful you see the freeway and you see the downtown LA and all the trails! The swing is the best view !

While staying in Echo Park this past week, my husband and I decided to wander around Elysian Park to get some steps in one morning. Fun fact: it's LA's oldest city park and the second largest after Griffith Park. It has a hiking path that will take you to the some pretty incredible views of downtown LA. There's also a swing with a view that people love to take Instagram pictures of (we skipped this). It's not crowded and feels like a bit of an oasis in the middle of the city. We walked from our airbnb near Sunset Blvd. and the walk there and back and the walking path in the park made for a pleasant morning! The path is pretty easy to find even if the trail isn't really marked. Wish there was a better map on the website! Check it out if you need a place for a bit of exercise!

Best park in Los Angeles best views of the city hands down it does not get better than this park plenty of different angles .

This place is nestled in the city, set aside for everyone to enjoy. Dozens of trails line the hills. Some extreme, others mild. Beautiful views surround the entire park. You can see into Dodger Stadium from one side and the beautiful San Fernando Valley on the other. All the trails lead to or go through different picnic and play areas. You can catch cadets jogging and try to keep up. You can challenge yourself and go for The Swing on the Edge of a Cliff. Miles of exercise and views. Great workout!

There are a lot of trails in Elysian Park. The one I am referencing is "Elysian Park West Loop Trail" which can be found via the AllTrails app. THE TRAIL: It was a nice day and we decided to go outdoors with our dog, Stella. We packed water, snacks, and poop bags. The app is really nice because it shows you the trail and other trails in the area. We followed the path and went through beautiful areas of flowers. There were some inclines, but nothing difficult. We ran into other dogs on the trail and even a pig named Brotini! THE VIEWS: My favorite part of the trail was a park area you can walk down to and get a great view of Downtown LA. We got this tip from a fellow adventurer. There is also a garden area towards the back of the trail near the 5 freeway that overlooks the city. Recommend this trail!

Great, pet friendly trail. The address for this trailhead is perfect because here is a small parking lot here by the lodge. There are a number of trails to take on this hike. We somehow made a loop around the park and ended up near where we parked, which was great! If you have a dog, there is a water station which is helpful. Pros: -nice, partially shaded trails -pet friendly -this address has a decent parking lot Cons: -n/a

Of course after seeing all the cute Insta pictures of the swing I had to take a hike up there. I came on a Saturday afternoon and there was plenty of parking, not a struggle at all. The trail was steep and took us less than 10 minutes to get up to the swing. There was a line of about 5 people ahead of us taking pictures. I hardly swung on the swing because I was scared - just put my feet in the air to look like it lol. Great place to bring a lunch and have a picnic at the park.

This is great place to hike during the day or night to take pictures of Downtown Los Angeles. It can be a little tricky to find at night and the parking signs can be confusing, but, it is definitely worth it. In my opinion, this is one of the best places to get a photo of the LA skyline.

Loved hiking Elysian Park trails today! Pros: Free parking Variation of trails to hike Dog friendly Shade Amazing views of downtown LA Benches to rest on and take in the views Cons: Can be a bit dusty so be prepared with extra water and a bandana No bathrooms

I was looking for a fairly easy Saturday morning home nearby and found Elysian Park Trail on Yelp. Nice loop

I like this place. Especially with children. Me and my family enjoy this park every time. Playground is good, toilets are clean most of the time. And barbecue places are always available and plentiful. Our favorite thing is wild life, you can see different wild animals like squirrels, rabbits, mous, coyotes and foxes.

The closest train to my house and I'm addicted. Whenever I have a crave to run through the trees and get some fresh air - this is my go to. Start at the park below then work your way up and around! With progress you'll have the ability to eventually run the entire thing! Ensure to take some water and use the bathroom before starting. I've never seen any animals on the trail except lizards and maybe a couple of beetles lol. Enjoy!

Took the family on a fun quick hike close to home while we were having the last of this heatwave. It's a relatively short hike, 3ish miles. Dog friendly so long as you keep your furry friends leashed. Plenty of free parking available depending on where you start the trail. I wished it had been a little more challenging, and I saw a lot of trash on the trail although there were several trash cans lining the trail. Plenty of shade available even on a hot sunny day like today. Plenty of scenic views of Los Angeles, downtown skyline, and Dodger stadium. A fun hike if you're looking to finish a hike in less than an hour.

Beautiful around sunset. Free parking at the trailhead and around the park. Great place to bring a dog but please keep them on leash. Seen quite a few dogs get into fights on this trail.

I'm in love. I'm talking head over heels in love with this place. It is a gem! I parked at the bottom of stadium way at Morton, there's plenty of street parking there and you head up the hill to the trail head on your left. No bikes allowed, dogs on leashes although many aren't, nice and clean trail. It's so green with great views of downtown. This is the perfect place to stop off after work for a nice jog to avoid traffic. It is right next to dodger stadium so avoid it on game days. And I did see some wild flowers :)

I came a little after 8am on a Sunday to beat the heat and it wasn't too crowded. The address on Yelp leads you right to the park, parking on the street was easy. There were a few different trails I saw people going on, so I just chose one that headed up the hill by the freeway for the views. It's a dirt trail so you'll probably get a little dusty. My little white pup looked like he was wearing brown socks by the end of our walk up. There's lots of little holes on the side for snakes, we saw one pop his little head out. The views of the city and the flowers along the trail are nice. As the trail wound further up, more little stickers and straw was on the trail and got stuck in my little pup's fur. At the top there was a pretty little garden and some benches. I think it might loop back around back down, but the dogs were tired so we turned around. I saw there's a swing here, but it was not on the trail I went on. I'll just have to come back again, but probably without the doggos because of the stickers.

Nice, short, and sweet trail near DTLA.. just how I like my men. Not. Park in the lot close to the lodge and head to the right of it. Hug the left side of the road, and you'll see a small hill. That's the start of the trail! It was so troublesome finding it, but once you do, you'll never forget :) It takes about 30 minutes and only has one 30+ degree slope. Great for dogs! Bring your furry friends and then brunch at an outdoor cafe afterwards. Sounds like the perfect lazy Sunday to me!

I love this trail! It is easy to moderate so if you're a rookie at "hiking" like me this is the place to start. It's a 2.5 to 3.00 mile loop (round-trip), and it may take you 45 mins or up to an hour. Dog and children friendly as well. There are two ways to begin with the dirty trail. One from Academy Rd & Elysian Park Dr. There are a few parking spots here but you can also park on Academy Rd & Stadium Way. If you start from here is easier if you just want to walk it or jog it. The other and hardest way in my opinion as you get to a couple of small hills is from the entrance of Grace E. Simons Lodge (sign by the bbq tables) on Elysian Park Dr & Stadium Way right in front on Angels Point Rd. There are more parking spots if you drive up to the lodge entrance. The trail is very dirty and dusty at times. There are some awesome fresh and shaded calm areas with trees. The views from where you hit parallel to Park Dr are amazing! If you walk up hill this St you can get to Baxter Stairs, which are great for some workout too. You can take a rest in the middle of the trail at the Marian Harlow Memorial Grove. There's water faucet, lots of plants, trees, and a two benches. One bench facing to dtLA gorgeous view and pictures don't do justice as when you're actually there. The trail is mostly quite until you hit the freeway side but it's cool nothing unbearable.

I love hiking and running and I live very close so I visit often. It's beautiful and very scenic. I will say it's very cruisy. A lot of men looking for whatever they want and there's trash and drug users but I just avoid eye contact and keep running. It can be very nice lol

Came with my boys for a outdoor workout found 2 little spot where u could do pull-ups a quick little run on the trail did it 2 time to get the heart pumping it's nice and easy

I go hiking every Friday and we come to this hiking trail quite often as it's close to us, has a few different trials, and nice views. Haven't heard one complain and love the views and the little swing on top of the hills.

Its really steep and narrow to get to the swing, but its really great and relaxing when you got to the swing because of the really nice view you'll see from there, it is really good for taking pictures. And while it amaze me, it also scared me because when you are seating on the swing it feels like you are going to fall down the cliff.

Help! I was so confused on where the trailhead started and judging by other yelpers, they were as well. I think we (my bf and I) made a left onto Stadium Way where we came across a small parking lot. There were multiple pathways and people coming and going in a few directions but we decided to take the pathway to the left. We chose this place to catch a sunset and because it was relatively close to our neighborhood. It was so pretty!! We didn't finish the hike because we turned back around to sit at peak elevation of the hiking trail to watch the sunset (so romantic). I would like to return again to simply finish the hike.

This was an amazing hike to catch the LA sunset. Dirt trails switched back and forth up thru the hills over Dodgers Stadium. There is an overlook featuring public art, the Angels Point sculpture, at the top. Taking in the view of the sun dipping behind DTLA, was satisfyingly well worth the exercise. Shoutout to Aymar and Aileen, Angelinos in love, who I met up there.

The Elysian Park Wildflower trail is perhaps one of the easiest hikes around. There are a couple sticky spots with a 600 ft incline, but after taking the time to get past it, I found that the majority of the hike was relatively flat. The entrance of the trail on Elysian Park Drive is just 200 feet from the corner of Stadium and Elysian Park Drive. There is a gate at the entrance that is visible from the street. The entire trail is a dirt road so wear decent shoes. There isn't a restroom on the trail so also make sure that you take a.pee break before you hike. I believe the trail is about a three mile loop and maybe longer depending on which route you take. The cool thing is that all routes pretty much end at the same place. The hike is dog friendly, but a lot of owners don't clean up after their pets. You'll find plenty of poop on the grass before the trailhead so watch where you step.

LOCATION OF THE TRAIL HEAD: Trail head is just off Stadium Way at Elysian Park Drive. There is a big white fire gate (usually closed) crossing the dirt path at its entrance. If you waze "Grace Simons Lodge" you'll be directed there. Park immediately after you turn onto Elysian Park Drive from Stadium Way (don't drive all the way to the Lodge). If you still don't see the trail head, just wait a minute or two. You will definitely see other walkers with dogs! Follow them! There are some wonderful things about this trail: 1. NO rattlesnakes. I have been hiking this trail with my off-leash dogs for 15 years and have never seen a rattler. I don't know why! I have certainly seen gopher snakes and king snakes, but never rattlers. This makes it an ideal place to let your dog run off leash. 2. Water oasis halfway through the trail. This makes hot days easier on the pups. 3. Friendly community. There are many regulars who use this trail. This is a place where you will be greeted with a smile. Once in a rare while an uptight on-leash dog person will be nasty about an off-leash dog, but that's very unusual. 4. It's only 3 miles and pretty easy so you can do it in under an hour. 5. It's close to a juice bar and/or coffee shop on Echo Park Blvd so you can grab a nice drink afterwards. 6. Lots of shade in the afternoon so you can hike it even on hot summer days. Not wonderful things about this trail: 1. People are a bit lazy about cleaning up after their dogs. 2. Highway noise on a portion of the trail that overlooks the 5. 3. There are a few horseback riders who use this trail so you have to keep a close eye on your dog, especially if the dog isn't accustomed to horses. Most of the riders are super cool, but there is a particular rider who does not like dogs. I have seen altercations between this rider and the dog people. 4. there aren't a lot of garbage cans on the trail so if your dog poops, you have to carry the bag for a mile (or 2!) before disposing of it!

Today was my second time hiking this trail. Although it is a bit on the easier side I must say I enjoy it. It's a great hike to do if you haven't exercised for awhile and you are trying to get back into the swing of it. It's also a good casual hike to do with friends. It can be a little tricky to determine what trail you are suppose to hop on but who knows maybe the other routes will lead you to the same destination. If you wanna pack a lunch there is a cute park at the top with lots of shade to cool out in and have a bite to eat, or you can just keep on truckin'. I say give it a try!! P.S. if you decide not to pack a lunch...I highly recommend checking out the tribal cafe for great healthy eats after. It's only five minutes away!

Really cool space just went here the other day. Not overly crowded and if you go during the week, well everyone else is at work so it's perfect! Not too steep of a hike, my dog can make it & she's so not the hiker. Bring water and a hat if it's sunny.

This is the trail to explore if you love seeing cute dogs all over the place. A nice, easy trail that is perfect for a relaxing walk and beautiful views, particularly of downtown.