Happy Camp Canyon, Moorpark, CA (Megan Whitaker)
Reviewed by: Megan Whitaker, 8th grade Physical Science teacher, Pacoima Middle School
Location: 15100 Happy Camp Canyon Road, Moorpark, CA
Take the 118 West towards Simi Valley.
Exit Princeton Ave. and turn right.
Turn left onto Campus Park Dr.
Stay on Campus Park Dr. until it turns into Happy Camp Canyon Rd.
Turn Left to stay on Happy Camp Canyon Rd.
Parking is on the left. The entrance is 1.75 miles in from the parking lot.
GPS Coordinates: 34.3383N- 118.8647W,
Google Map: Happy Camp Canyon Park
Description: Happy Camp Canyon is a regional park located in the hills north of Moorpark, CA. The site is accessible from two parking lots, the Upper lot, mostly for equestrians, from Broadway Avenue, or from the Lower lot, mostly for hikers, from Campus Park Drive and the Rustic Park Golf Course gate. The park is currently owned by Ventura County and is managed by The Nature Conservancy. Originally, Happy Camp Canyon was underwater, part of a river/lake system in northwest Simi Valley. As the water level receded, river terraces were carved out from the Arroyo Simi and Los Posas Creek Rivers. It was home for several Chumash Indian groups and was eventually purchased by the Strathearn family, pioneers from Simi Valley. It was used as a cattle ranch and family vacation area before being transferred to the county. There are currently 4 major hiking trails including the 2.5 mile round trip hike from the parking lots to the entrance to Happy Camp Canyon.
Dogs are not allowed in past the East Canyon Gate because of the fragile environment in the canyon, but can be on leash between the parking lots and the entrance to Happy Camp Canyon.
What to bring:
Students will be hiking for at least 3 to 4 hours. They should wear sturdy shoes, comfortable clothing in layers, and bring a backpack with a sack lunch, water, sunscreen, a camera or smartphone, and something to write with and on. This isn't an easy hike, be prepared to sweat and get muddy!
Audience:
Environmental science teachers would benefit from visiting Happy Camp Canyon because of the wide variety of habitats that have converged in a small area (open grasslands, riverbanks, mountainsides, and deep forested areas) as well as wide varieties of animal and plant life.
A geology teacher would benefit from seeing the shale walls with clam and oyster fossils, red shale (caused by burning oil deposits) fluvial sediment 'benches' formed from old river terraces, and mountain ridges.
A history teacher could use this trip when talking about the lives of Native Americans and pioneers, specifically the Quimisac Chumash tribe and early California settlers, in Southern California. There are many places in the canyon where remains of Chumash and early settler settlements and tools can be found.
Science Concepts Addressed:
Fossils: skeletal remains of ocean creatures that once inhabited the region.
Erosion: movement or redistribution of sedimentary material due to weather, water movement, or shifts in the Earth.
Wild life: watch for wild rabbits, hawks, bobcats, golden eagles, and varieties of insects.
Biomes and Ecosystems: grasslands, forests, riverbanks, mountain ridges.
Geology: sedimentary rock, shale, erosion, fossils
Study Guide:
Photographs:
For additional information:
LA Mountains Regional Parks- Happy Camp Canyon
Recreation Parks- Happy Camp Canyon