• COVID-19 Park and Trail Closures
  • Learn about the Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge
  • Shop
  •  

SoCal Hiker

  • Find a Hiking Trail
    • All Areas
    • Arizona
    • Colorado
    • Los Angeles
    • Orange County
    • Oregon
    • San Francisco Bay
    • Washington
  • Trail Guides
  • Six-Pack of Peaks
    • Colorado Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Bergen Peak
      • Rocky Mountain
      • Birthday Peak
      • Horseshoe Mountain
      • Grays Peak
    • New England Six-Pack of Peaks
    • NorCal Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Mount Umunhum
      • Mount Saint Helena
      • Mount Tamalpais
      • Mount Diablo
      • Mount Sizer
      • Rose Peak
    • Oregon Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Tumalo Mountain
      • Black Butte
      • Black Crater
      • Maiden Peak
      • Mount Bachelor
      • South Sister
    • SoCal Six-Pack of Peaks
      • Mt. Wilson
      • Cucamonga Peak
      • Mt. San Antonio (Mt Baldy)
      • San Bernardino Peak
      • San Jacinto Peak
      • San Gorgonio
  • Backpacking
    • High Sierra Trail
    • John Muir Trail
      • Overview of the John Muir Trail
      • Training
      • Day-by-Day Itinerary
      • Resupply Addresses
      • JMT Discussion Forum
    • Lost Coast Trail
    • North/South Lake Loop
    • Rae Lakes Loop
    • Red Peak Pass Loop
    • Theodore Solomons Trail
    • Trans-Catalina Trail
    • Wonderland Trail
  • Gear
  • Forums
    • Latest Topics
    • Ask a Question
    • Campfire
    • Trails
    • Trail Reports
    • Gear Wisdom
    • Classifieds
  • Login

Bee Rock and Old Zoo in Griffith Park

January 31, 2013 By Jeff H 4 Comments

It looks like a bee hive -- if you squint and use your imagination.

Bee Rock juts above the western mountainside of Griffith Park. The sandstone outcrop is pocked with holes, and with the shape, it looks a bit like a beehive. This is a short hike with over 600 ft of total vertical gain, and a fascinating swing through the Old Los Angeles Zoo.

img
Trail Details
Distance: 2.4 miles
Time: ~1 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: 694 ft
Dogs: Yes, on leash
When to go: Year-round
While the old zoo has been replaced, many of the pens, exhibits and cages still exist, providing an interesting history lesson on what a zoo used to look like.

Begin by parking at the Griffith Park merry-go-round lot, and follow the paved road past the gate. As the paved road bends to the right, you’ll see a dirt road splitting to the left and uphill. Take this “Old Zoo Trail” and you’ll soon enjoy views over Griffith Park and the city below.

As you quickly climb, you're rewarded with a view.

Turn left (west) at Bee Rock Trail — a quarter-mile long trail that follows the south side of the canyon.

You’ll reach a point where the broad trail appears to disappear into the brush. Here you’ll take a hard left and follow a sometimes steep, overgrown single-track trail to the top.

Sharp left

There is a junction as you climb. Bear right and follow on until you reach the top of the ridge.

Bear right at this junction

You’ll know when you’re there because you’re “welcomed” by a chain link fence. Turn left, following the trail that parallels the fence to the summit of Bee Rock.

Turn left and follow the trail along the fence

I don’t understand why this summit is surrounded by fence. It’s a sad artifact from the past that probably wouldn’t happen in today’s environment. If anyone knows the story and why it hasn’t been taken down, I’d love to hear it.

The summit of Bee Rock

The views here can still be pretty special. Soak them in, catch your breath, and then retrace your steps back to the junction of the Bee Rock Trail and the Old Zoo Trail. Here you’ll bear left, then turn right at the corner of the fence. Follow the fence to the opening, then head up the trail straight ahead. This winds behind many of the exhibits from the Old Los Angeles Zoo.

History of the Old Los Angeles Zoo

This canyon in Griffith Park served as the Los Angeles City Zoo from 1912 to 1965, when the zoo and it’s animals were moved to their present location approximately two miles north. Many of the grottos and enclosures were built in the 1930’s by WPA crews. As you wander through the enclosures, it’s easy to see why they are not used today. Our understanding of zoological science has dramatically improved, as have the living conditions for the animals in zoos.

Cages

Head through the Old Zoo and bear right to the path back to the merry-go-round parking lot. And be a kid for a few minutes — ride the carousel before you head home.

Trail Map

© OpenStreetMap contributors
Download file: bee-rock.gpx

Photo Gallery

Click on any photo to view a larger version. You can also leave comments on any photo.

Head out on this paved road closed to cars.
As the paved road curves to the right, bear left up the dirt trail.
As you quickly climb, you’re rewarded with a view.

It looks like a bee hive — if you squint and use your imagination.



Yes, that’s a chain-link fence.







More Bee Rock Trail Resources

These guides give other views, information and perspectives on hiking to Bee Rock.

  • Write-up of Bee Rock and Old Zoo Park from Dan’s Hiking Pages
  • Bee Rock Hike via Josh at California Through My Lens
  • A 4-Mile Hike to Bee Rock via Hikespeak

Griffith Park Weather Forecast

The location could not be found.

Filed Under: Trail Guides Tagged With: Bee Rock, Griffith Park, LA County, Old Los Angeles Zoo, Old Zoo

Like what you found here at SoCal Hiker? This site is a labor of love. Share your support for the site and help us development of new trail guides and expanded coverage -- make your next outdoor equipment purchase through our advertisers.

You can also subscribe to our weekly newsletter and follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

Jeff H

About Jeff H

I'm an avid hiker and backpacker. My wife Joan and I are on the trails every weekend. I started SoCal Hiker to share my passion for outdoor adventure.

Comments

  1. Reece says

    March 13, 2013 at 9:38 am

    Jeff,

    My fiancée and I did this hike yesterday evening and had a great time. Thanks for the all the tips and links.

    Reply
  2. Chris Marks says

    March 7, 2014 at 11:22 am

    The is one of the only hikes I got around to when I live in LA. The view from Bee Rock actually sort of makes Glendale/Burbank look appealing. I feel like the rust on that fence is at least as dangerous as the fall.

    Reply
  3. mrandmrsadventure says

    October 21, 2014 at 11:14 am

    We had an awesome time exploring this hike, it’s a total hidden gem! We wish we would have read your directions prior to leaving because we got totally lost trying to find it, but it added to the adventure 🙂 You can check out our post with some additional photos on it here, we hope you enjoy! http://mrandmrsadventure.com/2014/10/21/halloween-in-griffith-park-bee-rock-hike-los-angeles-haunted-hayride/

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

About SoCal Hiker

Jeff on Mount Rainier

I created SoCal Hiker while preparing to thru-hike the John Muir Trail. My goal? Create guides for the best hiking and backpacking trails with enough detail to make it an enjoyable experience for you. And while I started with trails in Southern California, I’ve expanded across the west. We hike each trail to create these guides, sharing practical advice on gear and outdoor skills. Read more…

Connect with SoCal Hiker

  • 22,735 Fans
  • 11,941 Followers
  • 21,640 Followers
  • 1,717 Followers
  • 5,275 Subscribers
  • 338 Subscribers
SoCalHiker was selected one of USA TODAY's 10 Best Hiking and Outdoor Blogs
Get our day-by-day guide to thru-hiking the John Muir Trail
Get up-to-day wildfire status throughout California

Products

  • Let your SoCalHiker flag fly! SoCalHiker Red, White & Blue Summit Flag
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $25.00
  • Mt San Antonio (Mt Baldy) Benchmark Mt Baldy (Mt San Antonio) Benchmark $39.95
  • Señor Muir Taco Hut T-Shirt $19.00 – $27.50
  • Mt Baden-Powell Replica Benchmark Mt Baden-Powell Benchmark $39.95

Sponsors

Sponsor SoCalHiker and see your banner here

Featured Posts

Hiking Belknap Crater in the Mountain Washington Wilderness

Hiking this out-and-back route up Belknap Crater you'll traverse an other-worldly … [Read More...]

Hiking to the Simpson Reef Overlook on the Oregon Coast Trail

The Oregon Coast is rugged, beautiful and often uncrowded. This bluff-top … [Read More...]

Join Team SoCalHiker at the Climb for Heroes

Team SoCalHiker is climbing Mount Baldy again as part of the annual Climb for Heroes … [Read More...]

Lastest Comments

  • Greg on Rae Lakes Loop via Kearsarge Pass
  • Tim Wilson on Rae Lakes Loop via Kearsarge Pass
  • Pam Selthun on Backpacking the Wonderland Trail
  • Calico Maps on Hiking Monserate Mountain
  • Deborah Aguanno on Mt. Wilson via Chantry Flats
Get your SoCalHiker stickers now

Get your SoCalHiker stickers!

Latest Posts

  • Hiking Belknap Crater in the Mountain Washington Wilderness October 20, 2022
  • Hiking to the Simpson Reef Overlook on the Oregon Coast Trail August 25, 2022
  • Join Team SoCalHiker at the Climb for Heroes August 23, 2022
  • Hiking the Welch-Dickey Loop in the White Mountain National Forest August 18, 2022
  • Hiking Turtlehead Peak from Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area July 15, 2022

Recent Forum Topics

  • How to deal with accidents while hiking in the winter?
  • Warm Tips for your hiking in winter
  • Some tips for hiking.
  • Keep your body warm in the winter hiking
  • The benefits of hiking, more than you can imagine!

The Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge Series

Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge SeriesThe Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge Series gives you an opportunity to explore your world while supporting a great cause. There are eleven challenges around the country. Hike or run them at your own schedule.

Flex your adventure muscles!

Learn more here.

 

Search

Tags

3-6 miles 6-8 miles 8-10 miles 11+ miles Arizona Backpacking coastal dog-friendly easy family-friendly High Sierra Trail hiking Hiking The John Muir Trail hipster inspiration JMT John Muir John Muir Trail Kings Canyon National Park LA County moderate Mount Rainier National Park Muir Monday National Park Orange County Oregon out of bounds Pacific Crest Trail peak peakbagging quote scenic Sequoia National Park Sierra Nevada Six-Pack of Peaks State Park strenuous Thru-hiking Utah vista Washington waterfall wilderness Wonderland Trail Yosemite

Copyright © 2023 SoCalHiker.net · Metro Theme on Genesis Framework with WPEngine Hosting · Contact SoCal Hiker · Sitemap · Privacy Policy

 

Loading Comments...