Park Spotlight
William S. Hart Park: The City's 40th Park
The old cowboy's ranch in Newhall is now Santa Clarita's 40th city park, and the Hart Museum is finally back open. Here is what locals should know about the barnyard bison, the trails, the reopened mansion tours, and the best way to spend an afternoon here. From SCV insider Sam Silver.
Updated October 20, 2026 Sam Silver 5 min read
A Landmark Back Under Local Care
After generations as a Los Angeles County park, William S. Hart Park officially became the City of Santa Clarita's 40th park in the summer of 2025. The big news for 2026 is the Hart Museum's grand reopening on Friday, April 10, 2026 after a roughly six-year closure, with guided tours of the Hart Mansion, film screenings in Hart Hall, and the full barnyard back in action. For locals and newcomers alike, this is one of the most special afternoons the valley has to offer.
40th
City park, taken over by the City of Santa Clarita
160 acres
Of historic ranch land in Newhall
Apr 10, 2026
Hart Museum grand reopening
The Park
A Working Ranch, Silent-Film Legacy & Family Park
William S. Hart was one of the biggest stars of the silent-film era, and his Horseshoe Ranch estate in Newhall is now preserved for everyone. The park at 24151 N. Newhall Ave blends a genuine piece of Old West history with a relaxed family park, and it has been part of the valley's identity for nearly a century.
The park is open seven days a week, from 8 AM to 8 PM May through September and 8 AM to 5 PM October through April. That means this fall you can catch the golden light on the ranch house well into a calm October afternoon.
The barnyard is a highlight for families: alpacas, a donkey, chickens, and a herd of American bison that traces back to animals originally donated by Walt Disney in 1962. Watching the bison graze against the meadow and the mountains is a classic SCV moment, and it is completely free.
Beyond the barnyard, the park offers picnic areas, hiking trails, and a campground, plus the 1910 California-redwood Ranch House, which reopened for self-guided tours in the summer of 2025. For anyone new to the valley, this is the single best place to feel Santa Clarita's ranching roots.
At a Glance
Location
24151 N. Newhall Ave, Newhall, CA 91321
Hours
Daily, 8 AM-8 PM (May-Sep), 8 AM-5 PM (Oct-Apr)
Size
Roughly 160 acres, the city's 40th park
Good For
Barnyard visits, history tours, picnics, easy trails
The Museum
The Hart Museum Is Back Open
The William S. Hart Museum celebrated its grand reopening on Friday, April 10, 2026, ending a roughly six-year closure while the site moved from county to city hands. The reopening day featured a ribbon-cutting, guided tours, barnyard visits, and film screenings in Hart Hall.
The centerpiece is the Hart Mansion, kept largely as Hart left it: his original furnishings, a collection of Western art, Native American textiles, and memorabilia from his silent-film career. Walking through the mansion is like stepping into 1920s Hollywood history, and it is right here in Newhall.
Plan a visit on a weekday if you want the quietest experience, and check the official Hart Park site for tour times, special events, and any updates before you go. Guided mansion tours can fill up on weekends.
Why It Matters
What This Means for the SCV
History Kept Local
Keeping the park and museum in city hands means the valley's most important historic site is protected and programmed for locals, not just day-trippers.
Free Family Outing
Between the bison, the barnyard, the picnic grounds and the trails, Hart Park is one of the best free days out in the entire Santa Clarita Valley.
Hollywood North Roots
Hart helped put the valley on the silent-film map. The site is a living link to the SCV's long movie history, still visible onscreen in the surrounding canyons.
More Parks, Trails & Local Guides
Best Family Parks in the SCV
From Hart Park to David March Park and beyond, the valley's best green spaces for families, all in one guide.
Read the guideHollywood North: SCV Film Legacy
The valley's long history on screen, from William S. Hart's silents to today's productions.
Read the guideLiving in Newhall
Newhall is the valley's historic heart. Get the local read on the neighborhood around the park.
Explore Newhall
From Your Local Insider, Sam Silver
Places like Hart Park are a big part of why people fall in love with the Santa Clarita Valley. After 23 years as a REALTOR here, a U.S. Army veteran, and a coach with Special Olympics, I love pointing neighbors and newcomers to the spots that make this valley special. If you are thinking about living in Newhall or anywhere in the SCV, I would love to help you find your home.
CalDRE 01412755 · Equal Housing Opportunity
Park hours and museum tour availability are subject to change, so confirm with the official site before you visit. This guide is offered as a community resource and is not intended as a solicitation if you are currently working with another real estate broker.