Canyon Park is another hidden gem in Southern California where you can enjoy nature, have a picnic, or go on a hike to a waterfall. Canyon Park is situated at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and is operated by the city of Monrovia.

The park offers several picnic areas, educational tours, and a nature center. The picnic areas have tables and barbecues.  At the Nature Center, you can enjoy displays of local flora and indigenous wildlife in Canyon Park. Learn about the early history of the Canyon residents and the present-day natural hazards by visiting a wilderness environment.

Important Notice: Monrovia Canyon Park was reopened June 2025 after a long closure. Alsways check the website for closures due to incelment weather.

For my family, the best feature of the park is the hike to the year-round Monrovia Falls. There are three different trailheads for this hike. You can start from near the entrance gate for a 1.7-mile moderate hike (one way).

You can also choose two other trailheads for a 1-mile and ¾ mile easy hikes to the falls. The hike is mostly shaded with a canopy of Oak, Maple, Sycamore, and many other trees. You will be walking along a year-round stream and occasionally crossing it.

Along the way, you will see a lot of squirrels climbing trees, and you will hear birds making their mating calls.

The park is also home to the Trask Boy Scout Reservation. This is a large facility for Boy Scout campouts. Another hiking trail climbs up a steep paved road to the reservation and then continues above a dam. It is a challenging hike, but very rewarding.

If you choose to start at the first trailhead, be aware that it begins with a narrow ledge that may be intimidating to young children.

Tip: The park allows dogs, so feel free to bring your best friend with you. You will both be happy.

There is a small fee to park ($5 for cars), but you can avoid it by parking on the streets outside the park. This will definitely add to your hike (about 0.6 miles), but that might be a good thing.

The Park is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, but closed on Tuesdays.  

Saturday and Sunday hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.  It also closes on Christmas Day and the Fourth of July.

Outside of regular business hours, nothing is stopping you from hiking the trails. You just need to park outside the park gates.

The park and waterfall trail can be enjoyed the whole year, but the best time to visit is during spring. The forest will be greener, and the flowers will be blooming. The waterfall will be especially plentiful after the rain.

1200 N Canyon Blvd. (Map)
Monrovia, CA 91016
(626) 256-8282
monroviacanyonpark.org