Paramount Ranch is a former movie ranch near Agoura, acquired by the National Park Service in 1980 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and is the only NPS site dedicated to interpreting American film history.
Details
- Type
- Historic Site
- Accessibility
- Limited accessibility
Overview
The National Park Service bought a portion of the original Paramount property in 1980 and reopened it as a public site. Its varied terrain stood in for many landscapes over decades of filming. The site is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Film and Television History
The Western Town set served as the everyday backdrop for the 1990s series Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and later appeared in HBO's Westworld. In November 2018 the Woolsey Fire destroyed much of Western Town, though the train depot from Dr. Quinn and the chapel from Westworld survived. Reconstruction of the lost structures began in spring 2023.
Know Before You Go
The ranch and its hiking trails remained open during construction; check current conditions before visiting. Several miles of easy to moderate trails run through the surrounding hills. This is NPS-managed land, so dogs are allowed on a leash not exceeding six feet.