World’s largest wildlife crossing opening in California: Here’s how to visit
The world’s largest wildlife crossing opening in California now has an official ribbon-cutting date: Dec. 2, 2026. The active construction site remains closed to the public, but nearby trails on both the north and south sides of the freeway offer views of the crossing. Project materials also promote live webcams and guided tours for guests who want a closer look before opening day.
How to visit the wildlife crossing now
Located in Agoura Hills, the wildlife crossing places visitors within easy reach of the Santa Monica Mountains, and popular Southern California day-trips. Theme park fans may be surprised to learn the project is roughly 30 minutes from Universal Studios Hollywood. Here’s how to visit or see it in action.
Book a free docent tour
Docent tours are currently the clearest way to visit. According to project information, the tours are free, reservation-based, and typically last about 50 minutes. They are designed to explain the wildlife purpose of the crossing, habitat restoration efforts and the engineering behind the structure.
Demand has been high, with some dates filling quickly.
Courtesy of 101WildlifeCrossing.org
Use trails and webcams for views
Guests who cannot secure a tour can still see the project through nearby trail viewpoints and live webcams. Trails on both sides of the freeway offer visual access to the crossing area, while webcams provide a remote option to follow construction progress without visiting in person.
Parking, trail access specifics and future public viewing-platform details remain unspecified on current official pages
Will there be a way to visit when it opens?
Yes, but final public-access details have not been fully confirmed on the current official pages. Recent local coverage based on project updates says a public viewing platform is expected after opening, which would give visitors a designated place to see the crossing without entering the wildlife habitat area.
However, regular operating hours, parking arrangements and any self-guided access rules remain unspecified.
The crossing itself is expected to remain closed to general pedestrian traffic because the crossing is intended primarily as habitat for wildlife, not a traditional pedestrian bridge. Project planners have emphasized a wildlife-first approach that gives mountain lions and other species the best chance at safe passage across the freeway.
National Park Service researchers have said mountain lions in the Santa Monica Mountains have become increasingly isolated by roads and development, making habitat connectivity critical for long-term genetic diversity and survival. The crossing is intended to help restore movement for mountain lions, along with many other species.
Courtesy of 101WildlifeCrossing.org
What’s nearby
Located in Agoura Hills, the wildlife crossing is near the Santa Monica Mountains with easy access to hiking trails, scenic canyon drives and outdoor recreation areas.
Theme park fans may be surprised to realize this new world’s largest wildlife crossing is 30 minutes from Universal Studios Hollywood!
Visitors are also within a 45-60 minute drive of Malibu beaches, Thousand Oaks shopping and dining, and other western Los Angeles County attractions.
- Paramount Ranch
- Malibu Creek State Park
- Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
- Valley Relics Museum
- Leonis Adobe Museum
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- Santa Monica Art Museum
- Santa Monica Pier
- Museum of Illusions Santa Monica
- Malibu beaches
Related post: The artistic vision behind ‘Monsters: Exhibit of Horrors’ at Santa Monica Art Museum
Photo by Blake Taylor
Costs and delays have also been part of the project story. Official materials place the cost at roughly $114 million, up from earlier estimates, citing inflation, labor costs, tariffs, rain delays and construction complexity. For visitors, the simpler takeaway is that tours, trails and webcams are available now, while broader public viewing options are expected to become clearer closer to the Dec. 2, 2026 opening.
Annenberg Wildlife Crossing
US-101, Agoura Hills, CA 91301
101WildlifeCrossing.org
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