Zuma Canyon Trailhead Parking (Malibu)
Know which Zuma lot your trail uses. The Zuma Canyon Trailhead is at the end of Bonsall Drive and has water and restrooms; the lot is open 8am to sunset. The nearby Kanan Trailhead fills quickly on weekends and has an official overflow lot about ¼ mile north along Kanan Dume Road. Both are NPS sites and do not use an Adventure Pass.
The facts
- Trail served
- Zuma Canyon Trail, Zuma Ridge Trail, Kanan Trailhead and Newton Canyon routes
- Cost / pass
- No NPS entrance fee or Adventure Pass; check signs at partner-managed sites
- Lot size
- Multiple small lots; no published combined capacity
- When it fills
- Kanan Trailhead fills quickly on weekends; Zuma Canyon is busiest in good weather
- Overflow option
- Kanan Trailhead overflow is about ¼ mile north along Kanan Dume Road; do not invent overflow at Bonsall Drive
- Tow / citation risk
- Bonsall Drive lot is gated; keep roads and gates clear and follow sunset closing
- Restrooms
- Zuma Canyon Trailhead has restrooms and water; Zuma Ridge does not list restrooms
- Road to the lot
- Bonsall Drive near Pacific Coast Highway for Zuma Canyon; Kanan Road for the other lots
- Busy season
- Spring and fall are comfortable; rain can close unpaved lots and summer heat is severe inland
Getting there
Bonsall Drive, Malibu, CA 90265
Get directions →Bonsall Drive and Kanan are different parking problems
Zuma Canyon's lot is at the end of Bonsall Drive near Zuma Beach. The Kanan Trailhead is farther north on Kanan Road and is the one the NPS says fills quickly on weekends. Do not use directions for one lot and expect the other to absorb the car.
Kanan has a real overflow lot
When the Kanan Trailhead fills, the official alternative is an overflow lot approximately one-quarter mile north along Kanan Dume Road. That is different from leaving a car on a shoulder. Follow current signs because the area is a patchwork of NPS and partner-managed land.
Bonsall closes at sunset
The Bonsall Drive parking area is open from 8am to sunset. Zuma Canyon has restrooms and water, while Zuma Ridge does not list restrooms. Pack water for the trail even when the first lot has a fountain.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I park for Zuma Canyon?
Use the Zuma Canyon Trailhead at the end of Bonsall Drive near Zuma Beach. It has restrooms and water and is open from 8am to sunset.
What is the overflow for Kanan Trailhead?
The NPS lists an overflow lot approximately one-quarter mile north along Kanan Dume Road.
Is Zuma Canyon parking free?
The NPS site is fee-free and does not require an Adventure Pass. Check signs if you use a partner-managed lot.
Does Zuma Ridge Trailhead have restrooms?
The NPS lists no restrooms at the Zuma Ridge Trailhead; facilities are at the Zuma Canyon lot.
Facts on this page last verified August 2, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.