Betty B. Dearing Trail (Fryman Canyon and Wilacre Park)

The Betty B. Dearing Trail runs through Wilacre Park and Fryman Canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains above Studio City, Los Angeles, California. The usual trailhead is at Wilacre Park, 3100 Fryman Rd, reached by car or rideshare, with street parking on Iredell St and Fryman Rd; Metro buses on Ventura Blvd are about a mile away. No permit or fee is required. The route to Fryman Overlook is about 3 miles (4.8 km) round trip with roughly 600 feet (180 m) of elevation gain and takes 1 to 2 hours. Difficulty is easy to moderate: the trail is mostly packed dirt with a steady grade, and a few sections have rocks and roots. The lower canyon has oak woodland shade, while upper sections are more open chaparral and sage scrub. The trail is managed in partnership with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and it connects with the Wilacre Park loop trails and with routes toward Mulholland Dr. Along the way hikers pass a seasonal creek, picnic areas and lookouts, and the Fryman Overlook gives views across the San Fernando Valley toward the Verdugo and San Gabriel Mountains. Turn-around points include the overlook or earlier junctions for shorter outings. Water is not available on the trail, so hikers carry their own, and there are no huts or shelters. The park is popular with dog walkers and local residents, and it is quieter than Griffith Park on weekdays. Visitors should respect neighborhood parking rules and stay on marked trails.