Accessed from the Nancy Hoover Pohl Overlook on the north side of Mulholland Drive in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains, 122-acre Fryman Canyon Park offers a genuinely rewarding hike with your dog that doesn’t require a massive time commitment. The park centers on the Betty B. Dearing Cross Mountain Trail, which traverses through native chaparral, year-round springs, and deeply wooded canyons that feel surprisingly removed from the Studio City sprawl just outside the gates.

The Dearing Trail is popular with hikers and equestrians, all sharing the path, so you’ll want to keep your dog on leash and under control. Mountain bikes aren’t allowed here, which means you won’t have to worry about that particular hazard. The large paved parking lot at the trailhead makes access straightforward, and the overlook itself is worth a few minutes of your time before heading down.

For a solid dog-friendly route, start at the Nancy Pohl Scenic Overlook and head onto the Betty B. Dearing Trail. The real payoff comes when you reach the “rainforest” gully—a lush, sheltered section that’s particularly nice on hot days since the dense tree cover keeps things cool. The contrast between the dry chaparral and this green pocket is striking. This makes for a reasonable turnaround point if you’re looking at roughly a 2-3 mile outing.

If your dog is handling the terrain well and the heat isn’t an issue, the Rainforest Trail continues another 2 miles and connects to Wilacre Park, Franklin Canyon, and Coldwater Canyon Park, opening up longer loop possibilities. The Betty B. Dearing Trail essentially functions as a connector through this whole section of the Santa Monica Mountains, so you can structure your hike based on what your dog can handle that day. The year-round water sources mean your dog won’t go thirsty, though bringing your own water is still the smart move.