Red Rock Canyon Park is located in the Santa Monica Mountains off Old Topanga Canyon Road, and it’s one of those places that immediately makes you forget you’re in Los Angeles County. The riparian canyon walls are fortified with massive red sandstone outcroppings that look like they belong in Arizona or Utah—but here you are, a short drive from the coast.

The main trail starts as a fire road climbing through slopes covered in toyon, laurel sumac, mountain mahogany, bush sunflowers, and ceanothus before reaching Calabassas Peak. The views from up there stretch across the entire Santa Monica Mountains. What makes this hike particularly good with a dog is what comes next: the trail descends and narrows into the cool bottom of Red Rock Canyon itself, where things get genuinely interesting. You’ll walk through sculptured rock formations in shades ranging from chalk white to deep red—the kind of landscape that makes you want to stop and just look around every few minutes.

The canyon bottom is noticeably cooler than the exposed ridgeline, which your dog will appreciate. The trail meanders through these formations in a way that feels less like a standard park hike and more like exploring a natural maze. Because Red Rock Canyon provides a habitat linkage between Malibu Creek State Park and Topanga State Park, you’re walking through an important natural corridor, even if that’s mostly invisible to you.

There’s a small picnic area and drinking fountain at the trailhead, which is convenient before or after. Your dog needs to stay leashed throughout, and you’ll want to pack bags for cleanup. The $5 day use fee gets you parking at the trailhead. Go early on weekends if you can—the canyon gets popular, and the shade disappears fast once the morning is gone.