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Parks

California

Nearby: Southgate Park Rancho Arroyo Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Griffith Park is a large urban park located in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.

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Summary

It covers an area of 4,310 acres and is one of the largest urban parks in North America. The park is named after Griffith J. Griffith, who donated the land to the city of Los Angeles in 1896.

There are many good reasons to visit Griffith Park. The park is home to many attractions, including the Griffith Observatory, the Los Angeles Zoo, the Greek Theatre, and the Autry National Center. There are also many hiking trails and picnic areas within the park.

One of the main points of interest in Griffith Park is the Griffith Observatory. The observatory features a planetarium, a museum, and several telescopes that visitors can use to view the stars and planets. The observatory also offers a variety of educational programs and public events.

Another popular attraction in Griffith Park is the Los Angeles Zoo. The zoo is home to over 1,400 animals from around the world, including elephants, lions, and gorillas. The zoo also offers a variety of educational programs and events for visitors of all ages.

Griffith Park is also known for its scenic views of the Los Angeles skyline and the Hollywood Sign. Visitors can hike to the top of Mount Hollywood for a panoramic view of the city, or take a scenic drive along the park's winding roads.

One interesting fact about Griffith Park is that it was used as a filming location for many movies and TV shows, including "Rebel Without a Cause" and "Star Trek."

The best time of year to visit Griffith Park is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the park is less crowded. Summer can be hot and crowded, and winter can be rainy and cold.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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