Will Rogers State Historic Park is the former ranch estate of humorist and film star Will Rogers, at 1501 Will Rogers State Park Road in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles, California. This guide covers current opening hours, admission, transport and parking, accessibility, and practical tips for a first-time visit.
This guide was updated in August 2026. One point worth flagging clearly: the January 2025 Palisades Fire destroyed the park’s historic 31-room ranch house and stables entirely, and the visitor center was also damaged and remains closed for restoration — several older guides still describe active ranch house tours and visitor center hours that are no longer accurate.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Daily, 8am to sunset (reopened with limited access in November 2025) |
| Admission | $12 per vehicle day use |
| Address | 1501 Will Rogers State Park Road, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272 |
| Nearest transport | No direct public transit; a car is needed |
| Typical visit length | One to two hours, given current limited access |
Will Rogers State Historic Park opening hours
The park is open daily, from 8am to sunset. It reopened with limited access on 8 November 2025, after ten months of closure following the January 2025 Palisades Fire, and parking remains limited as recovery work continues.
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- 🎬 See how the movie magic works on the Warner Bros Studio tour.
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- 🚲 Pedal along the coast on a Santa Monica and Venice guided e-bike tour.
Will Rogers State Historic Park ticket prices
Vehicle day use costs $12. Large buses cost $125 and small buses cost $50.
Opening hours and fees were checked on the official website and last updated in August 2026. The park accepts the California Explorer, Golden Poppy, Historian Passport, Adventure Pass, Disabled Discount, Distinguished Veteran, Golden Bear and Senior Golden Bear passes.
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How to get to Will Rogers State Historic Park
The park is reached by car from Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades, following Will Rogers State Park Road to the entrance. There is no direct public transit route to the park.
Parking at Will Rogers State Historic Park
Parking is available on site for the $12 day-use fee, but capacity is currently limited as recovery and restoration work continues following the 2025 fire. Arriving early improves the chances of finding a space, particularly on weekends.
How long to spend at Will Rogers State Historic Park
Most visitors currently spend one to two hours, given that access is still limited to select trails and open spaces. Once full trail access and the historic buildings are restored, a visit is likely to run longer.
Accessibility at Will Rogers State Historic Park
The Main Lawn, Polo Field and picnic areas are level and generally accessible, though several trails include natural, uneven surfaces. Visitors with specific accessibility needs can review the park’s official accessible features page or contact the park directly at (818) 456-2126.
Inside Will Rogers State Historic Park
The historic 31-room Ranch House and the horse stables were destroyed entirely in the January 2025 Palisades Fire, along with several other historic and non-historic structures; the guest house and visitor center, and the blacksmith and carpenter shop, were damaged but not destroyed. The gatehouse, foreman’s cottage and polo field survived with only minimal damage.
Before the fire reached the buildings, park staff evacuated all horses and more than 150 artifacts, including Will Rogers’ typewriter, artwork and family heirlooms, which survive today even though the house that held them does not.
The Polo Field, described as the last public grass polo field in Los Angeles County, remains open and hosts the Will Rogers Polo Club’s matches most weekends from May to mid-October, free to watch for anyone who has paid the parking fee.
The Inspiration Point Loop Trail is partially open as restoration continues, offering views over the Santa Monica Mountains and, on clear days, the ocean; the Backbone Trail, the Rivas Canyon/Temescal Trail and the Rustic Canyon Trail all remain closed.
Equestrian operations, run by concessionaire Jigsaw Farms, are being re-established on a smaller scale following the fire, with a fuller return of lessons and trail rides expected as restoration continues.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Timing | Arrive early, since parking remains limited following the 2025 fire and can fill well before closing. |
| Crowds | Weekend polo matches, held Saturdays 2 to 5pm and Sundays 10am to 1pm in season, draw the biggest crowds. |
| Layout | Check posted signs at trailheads, since some trails shown on older maps remain closed for safety and restoration. |
| Entry process | A single vehicle day-use fee covers the whole park, including polo matches. |
| On-site logistics | Dogs are allowed on leash throughout most of the park, but not on the Backbone Trail or in adjoining Topanga State Park. |
Frequently asked questions about Will Rogers State Historic Park
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Will Rogers ranch house still standing? | No, the historic 31-room Ranch House and stables were destroyed in the January 2025 Palisades Fire. |
| Can you tour the Will Rogers ranch house? | Not currently; the house no longer exists, and the damaged visitor center remains closed for restoration. |
| Is Will Rogers State Historic Park open? | Yes, it reopened with limited access in November 2025, though several trails and buildings remain closed. |
| Are dogs allowed at Will Rogers State Historic Park? | Yes, on a leash of no more than 6 feet, except on the Backbone Trail and in adjoining Topanga State Park. |
| Is there an entrance fee for Will Rogers State Historic Park? | Yes, $12 per vehicle for day use; entry on foot or bike is free. |
Things to do near Will Rogers State Historic Park
The Getty Villa, a short drive along the Pacific Coast Highway, houses antiquities in a recreated Roman country estate overlooking the ocean. Palisades Park, along the Santa Monica bluffs, is a short drive south and offers ocean views and walking paths.
Topanga State Park, adjoining Will Rogers to the north, was also affected by the 2025 Palisades Fire and shares some trail connections, though access there is similarly limited during recovery. Temescal Gateway Park, a short drive away, remains a starting point for canyon trails in the Santa Monica Mountains.
What to visit tomorrow
The Leonis Adobe Museum, in Calabasas, is about 25 to 30 minutes’ drive and preserves an 1844 adobe ranch house furnished to depict 1880s California ranch life.
Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch and Gardens, in Long Beach, is about 45 minutes to an hour’s drive and combines a 19th-century ranch house with historic gardens and barns.
Rancho Los Cerritos, also in Long Beach, is a similar distance and preserves an 1844 adobe ranch house set among historic gardens.
Rancho Camulos Museum, near Piru, is about an hour’s drive and preserves a 19th-century Southern California rancho once known as the “Home of Ramona.”
Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, in Carlsbad, is about an hour and a half to two hours’ drive and preserves the former weekend ranch of actor and conservationist Leo Carrillo.
More Los Angeles travel
Other Los Angeles travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Plan your visit to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Petersen Automotive Museum, La Brea Tar Pits and Museum of Tolerance.
- Exposition Park attractions: How best to tackle the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, California Science Center and California African American Museum.
- Hollywood attractions: What to expect at the Hollywood Museum and on tours of the Dolby Theatre.
- What you need to know before doing the Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood.
- Plan your visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.
