William S. Hart Park: Newhall's Free Landmark | Dubner
Published by Michelle & Jon Dubner | Dubner Real Estate Group | Equity Union
Last updated: July 20, 2026
If you have not walked the grounds at William S. Hart Park yet, put it on your list this week. Michelle and Jon Dubner get asked about this park constantly by buyers considering Newhall, and it is one of the best free things to do anywhere in the Santa Clarita Valley, let alone Los Angeles County. The park sits right on Newhall Avenue, and admission is free every single day of the year.
Key Takeaways
- William S. Hart Park sits on 265 acres at 24151 Newhall Ave, and admission has always been free, every day of the year.
- Park hours run 8am to 8pm daily; the Ranch House museum and the Barnyard animal exhibit keep their own, shorter hours.
- The park is named for William S. Hart, a silent-film cowboy actor who willed his ranch to Los Angeles County to be kept open to the public forever.
- It sits a short walk from Old Town Newhall's Main Street, so it pairs easily with a weekend spent exploring downtown Newhall.
What Is William S. Hart Park?
William S. Hart Park is a 265-acre county park and museum at 24151 Newhall Ave in Newhall, right in the heart of Santa Clarita. It was once the private ranch of William S. Hart, a major silent-film cowboy star of the 1910s and 1920s, who willed the entire property to Los Angeles County on the condition that it always stay open to the public, free of charge. That promise has held for decades, and it is one of the reasons Jon and I bring this park up so often with buyers who are trying to picture everyday life in Newhall.
What Can You Actually Do There?
The park itself is open green space with walking trails, picnic areas, and sweeping views up into the hills above Newhall. The Ranch House sits at the top of the property and is furnished largely as Hart left it, open for self-guided and docent tours. Down near the park entrance, the Barnyard has a small, rotating group of animals including alpacas, tortoises, and birds that kids can visit for free. None of it requires a ticket or a reservation, which is unusual for a property this size anywhere in Los Angeles County.
What Are the Park Hours and Is It Really Free?
Yes, admission is genuinely free. The park grounds are open 8am to 8pm, seven days a week. The Barnyard keeps separate hours, Tuesday through Sunday from 9am to 2pm, and the Ranch House museum is open Monday from 1pm to 5pm and Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm. All three are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. If you are planning a visit around the museum or the animals specifically, it is worth checking those separate hours before you go.
Why Does This Matter If You Are House Hunting in Newhall?
When buyers ask Jon and I what makes Newhall different from other parts of Santa Clarita, Hart Park is usually part of the answer. It is not a small pocket park, it is a genuine 265-acre landmark within walking or short driving distance of most Newhall neighborhoods, and it does not cost a family anything to use regularly. For buyers relocating from Los Angeles or elsewhere in LA County, where a park this size with this much history is rare and often crowded, having it as a neighborhood amenity is a real quality-of-life difference, not just a nice-to-have.
How Does Hart Park Fit Into Everyday Life in Santa Clarita?
Jon and I hear from Newhall families who treat Hart Park as a regular part of their week, not just a special-occasion outing. It works for an early morning walk before work, a weekend picnic, or an easy free activity to fill an afternoon with visiting family. Combined with Old Town Newhall's Main Street just down the road, it gives this part of Santa Clarita a walkable, small-town feel that is genuinely hard to find elsewhere in the region.
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Michelle & Jon Dubner · Dubner Real Estate Group · Equity Union
Frequently Asked Questions
Is William S. Hart Park really free?
Yes. Admission to the park grounds, the Barnyard animal exhibit, and the Ranch House museum has always been free, every day, as a condition of William S. Hart's original gift of the property to Los Angeles County.
What are William S. Hart Park's hours?
The park grounds are open 8am to 8pm daily. The Barnyard is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9am to 2pm, and the Ranch House museum is open Monday 1pm to 5pm and Tuesday through Sunday 10am to 5pm. All three are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.
Where is William S. Hart Park located?
The park is at 24151 Newhall Ave, Santa Clarita, CA 91321, in the Newhall area of the Santa Clarita Valley, close to Old Town Newhall's Main Street.
Who was William S. Hart?
William S. Hart was a leading silent-film cowboy actor in the 1910s and 1920s. He willed his 265-acre ranch to Los Angeles County with the requirement that it remain open to the public free of charge.
Is Hart Park a good reason to consider living in Newhall?
It is one of several reasons buyers give Jon and I for choosing Newhall. A free, walkable 265-acre park with real history is a genuine lifestyle amenity, not just a selling point on paper, and it pairs naturally with Old Town Newhall nearby.
