Will Rogers State Historic Park

Will Rogers State Historic Park is a hidden gem nestled in the scenic hills of Pacific Palisades, offering visitors a chance to step back into old Hollywood while enjoying the natural beauty of Los Angeles. Once the ranch home of iconic actor, humorist, and cowboy Will Rogers, the park preserves his legacy with a beautifully maintained ranch house, complete with original furnishings, photos, and artifacts from his life. The 186-acre park also features riding stables, a polo field, and wide-open spaces that echo Rogers' love for horses, sports, and the outdoors. Visitors can explore guided tours of the ranch house, which offer a fascinating look into Will Rogers’ life, his career in Hollywood, and his love of nature.
 
The park’s extensive trails offer some of the best hiking in the area, with routes like the Inspiration Point Trail leading to panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, downtown Los Angeles, and, on clear days, even Catalina Island. With picnic areas, scenic outlooks, and a peaceful ambiance, Will Rogers State Historic Park is perfect for family outings, history buffs, or anyone looking for a peaceful escape within the city. 
 
Activities & Facilities
 
Ranch House Tours
On Thursdays and Fridays, the park offers public tours of Will’s ranch house every hour on the hour from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays every hour on the hour from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tours meet in front of the Ranch house. Will’s ranch house is accessible only through guided tours. There is no charge for the ranch house tour. No preregistration is needed to take one of the tours unless your tour group is 15 or more people.  They are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Tour groups of 15 or more people must make a private tour reservation.
 
Email WRSHP.Events@parks.ca.gov for more info. 
 
Hiking Trails
Hikers can enjoy a moderate 2-mile loop to and from Inspiration Point. The Rivas Canyon Trail also provides a moderate 2.1 mile hike to Temescal Gateway Park.  Adventurous hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians can tackle the Backbone Trail National Trail into the Santa Monica Mountains, which can take you 70 miles all the way to Point Mugu. Free trail maps of Will Rogers SHP trails are at the stand near the visitor’s center and in the park office.
 
Horse Riding Lessons & Trail Rides
Jigsaw Farms is open for riding lessons at the park every day except Mondays. Horseback riding lessons are open to both children and adults. To schedule lessons, please visit the Horseback Riding Lessons Information Page.
 
Jigsaw Farms also provides guided trail rides on safe, reliable horses on the beautiful trails of Will Rogers State Historic Park. You will experience the park in the way Will Rogers loved to experience it, on horseback. Will Rogers guided trail rides are available Tuesday through Friday. You can book a private guided ride by visiting Jigsaw Farms.
 
Equestrian visitors are welcome to bring their horses to the park for day-use to enjoy the riding and roping arena, Sarah's Point, and the trail to Inspiration Point.
 
Picnics
The picnic area above the polo field provides picnic tables and barbecue grills and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Some modest picnicking (no chairs, tables, catering, jumpers, etc.) is also permitted on the front lawn of the ranch house.  If you would like to set aside a section of the picnic area or upper ranch house lawn to ensure its availability for your group’s use, or if your group numbers 25+ people, you need the picnic reservation form. Call (818) 880-0398 or email WRSHP.Events@parks.ca.gov.
 
Polo Games 
Polo games are held every weekend except Memorial Day, the 4th of July, and Labor Day, from May to mid-October.  The Polo field at Will Rogers SHP is just one of the park’s many beautiful features. The grass-covered expanse is 20 yards shorter and a few yards narrower than a regulation polo field, and it is carefully maintained by park staff.  It is the last grass, public, outdoor polo field in Los Angeles County. The Will Rogers Polo Club carries on Will’s enjoyment of polo by using the field for their matches during their annual Polo Season. Matches are free for the public to watch (you still need to pay the vehicle parking fee) and are played on Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
 
Visitor Center
The visitor’s center is located in the garage of the guest cottage next to the ranch house. Displays showcase Will Roger’s story and the development of his sprawling California ranch. A brief, 10- minute video depicts the life and times of Will Rogers and includes excerpts of his speeches and slow motion footage of his unmatched roping skills from the 1922 silent film Ropin’ Fool.
 
Movies In The Park
Hollywood comes back to the home of one of its earliest movie stars. The evening kicks off with free tours of Will Roger's Ranch Home, a preshow band and gourmet food trucks. Bring your family and friends, a favorite lawn chair or blanket, maybe dress as your favorite movie character and enjoy the movie outdoors on Will’s front lawn.