The Devil’s Punchbowl Natural Area is just a short drive from the Tri-Community and holds an abundance of adventures to be had. The park, which opened in 1963, is a breathtaking site with uptilted rock formations created by layers of sedimentary rock. This unique geological wonder expands 1,310 acres and has three hiking trails as well as a variety of engaging activities offered throughout the week.
The Bobcat fire of 2020 took a toll on Devil’s Punchbowl and resulted in the loss of their Nature Center. Fortunately, the Wildlife Sanctuary staff office survived and is now serving as their interim Nature Center and information office as they await funding to rebuild a new Nature Center Facility. As you approach the building you will be greeted by Blair and Poe, the center’s two, very talkative, rescue ravens. Inside, you will find friendly staff ready to share information or answer questions on any of their in house animals, trails or the Punchbowl in general.
With three hiking trails, the intensity varies from easy to moderate. If you have small children and are looking for something short, the Pinon Pathway trail is perfect at only ⅓ mile long. For someone looking to get a nice scenic view and maybe a trip down to the creek, the Loop hike is a perfect choice coming in at just 1 mile long. For those looking to set off on a longer, more challenging adventure, the Devil’s Chair trail may be calling your name at 7.5 miles out and back. While hiking is available year round, the onsite staff say Spring is a perfect time to see the wildflowers in full bloom and the creek at its deepest. They also advise that if you wish to hike in the summer, please come prepared with lots of water and hike in the evening after the heat of the day has passed.
The park is open Tuesday- Sunday and offers a guided hike of the loop trail and a variety of talks daily. Among them is a Geology Talk where they discuss timelines, sand stone and more. As well as the Devil’s Punchbowl Fire Ecology talk where the park staff will talk about how the park has changed, new and non-native plants that have resulted due to fires and what to expect in the future as a result of these changes. On the weekends there is a Nature Center Discovery Time geared to kids but fun for anyone interested in learning about the park, plants and geological specimens. While there are set times for these, the staff is happy to talk on any of these topics at any time and are willing and able to set up additional times for groups who would like to come for a guided hike.
With all the beauty Devil’s Punchbowl has to offer during the day, they also have a Telescope Program, held in the evening, with local astronomers giving presentations on constellations, planets, nebulas and galaxies. Telescopes are provided to gaze upon the night sky for an up close view. This program is open to all ages and held at the beginning of each month now through November. For information on dates and times you can visit their Instagram @devilspunchbowlpark.
Whether it’s your first visit or your 100th, there will always be something new to learn and explore. If you would like more information on Devil’s Punchbowl Natural Area please visit https://parks.lacounty.gov/devils-punchbowl-natural-area-and-nature-center/.
