Haunted Old Zoo, Griffith Park - California Abandoned

If you listen carefully, you can hear the roar of the lions, the chatter of monkeys and the trumpeting of elephants, or so they say. Hidden in an unassuming corner of Griffith Park is the Haunted Old Zoo.

A small hike takes you to the remains of the original LA Zoo which opened in 1912 and closed in 1965. It was left abandoned to rot and decay when the new zoo opened a few miles along the road.

We decided to explore. Parking at the back of the Merry-Go-Round, we trekked up and along the Old Zoo Trail.

Trail sign showing length of trails from the trail head at Haunted Old Zoo — Trail Marker

The trail is a reasonably easy one, with a slight uphill gradient on the solid ground large enough for vehicles. Although, in the height of the summer, in the blistering heat, it will be more strenuous.

Main trail to Haunted Old Zoo. Once one of the compact dirt roads leading to the enclosures — The main trail to the Old Zoo

After a few short minutes, you will start to see some remnants, and you begin to imagine what this once looked like for visitors.

Abandoned But Not Forgotten

The first enclosure we came across was half-buried underground from years of neglect. No signs remain saying which animal had once lived here, only graffiti and assumptions persist.

A minimal outside area was enclosed in wire with a compact sleeping area built of concrete.

The first animal enclosure on the trail. Half of it has been dug underground at the Haunted Old Zoo

Even Hollywood and the LA film industry have used the zoo as a filming location with Starsky & Hutch, CHiPs, the New Adventures of Wonder Woman, Police Academy 2, Rush Hour, NCIS and many many more. In fact, while we were there, a film crew was busy setting up lighting and props. We were asked not to take photos in the area they were filming by security, which of course we agreed to. They kept an eye on us to make sure we kept our word. We did – keep our word that is!

History Of The Haunted Old Zoo

This location is beautiful, although it seems to have been doomed from the beginning. Funding was inadequate, even with a total of 15 animals, there was little finance for proper enclosures. With just $2,000, the zoo was established on the site of Griffith J. Griffith’s defunct ostrich farm, and they didn’t even have their own veterinarian.

Extremely small cages which once housed monkeys and an assortment of other animals at Haunted Old Zoo Griffith Park

A few years after opening, it was discovered that sewage was leaking into the LA river. Because of this, the Health Department nearly shut it down.

During WWI, there was a meat shortage, so beef was substituted with horse meat. This lead to a lot of illness and even death, particularly with the big cats. Diseases spread, and many of the lions, unfortunately, had to be put to sleep.

Small metal enclosure with a stone cave area for some type of animal

With the expansion in the 1930s, the cages became more like caves with iron bars, but still, the zoo received its fair share of criticism for the pens being too small. And to add to that the animals were being treated badly in other ways. Monkeys were beaten, chlorine fumes suffocated penguins, and many animals suffered “injuries”.

Narrow concrete walkway. Graffitied stone walls and ceiling. To the left there are metal bars from floor to ceiling to make up an animal cage

With the animals being so mistreated, I wonder just how many died at the hand of neglect and cruelty.

Concrete steps leading down and are enclosed with concrete graffitied walls and metal bars at the Haunted Old Zoo

Road leading to about a dozen small cages with foliage taking over at the Haunted Old Zoo Griffith Park

When the zoo was finally closed in the 1960s, more than 2000 animals were relocated to the new zoo, a few miles away, but still in Griffith Park.

Unusual Sightings and Reports

With all this negative energy stored within the walls of these cages, is it any wonder that some animals’ presence remains?

People have reported hearing growls, roars and moans from the now vacant prisons. Mysterious spectres of large cats and ill elephants have been seen roaming around the grounds.

Concrete tunnel, part of a large animal enclosure

Perhaps it’s their way of making sure that no other animal has to endure the same cruelty at mans hand here. Or maybe it’s to seek revenge and strike fear into the heart of people who trample around their old home. Whatever way you wish to look at it, at least now they are free.

Large animal enclosure with rock face and cave entrances with picnic benches at the Haunted Old Zoo — Old Zoo Picnic Area – concealed in a corner of Griffith Park

These enclosures have had their bars removed, and picnic tables added. It makes you wonder, are any animal spirits lurking in the darkness and peering out at you while you eat?

Nature Taking Over

Lady walking on a stone wall over a small gully on the grounds of the old zoo

As we continued along the trail, we could see what seems to be the remains of a water feature and waterfall. We were unable to explore this further as it was so overgrown.

Hand built stone and concrete waterfall now overgrown with bushes and trees — An old water feature

Other elements are merely fragments of foundations left on the hillside out of sight from the main trail.

We ended up walking the lower and upper zoo trail, which was approximately a 1.5-mile loop before returning to the carpark. The upper trail had no more remnants of the Haunted Old Zoo, but it did offer some fantastic views of the landscape.

View from the top of the trail overlooking down town LA. Tall buildings are visible in the smog. There are trees, bushes and grass land in the foreground — Smog over downtown LA

IN A NUTSHELL

Trailhead address: 4801 Griffith Park Drive, Griffith Park, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Trailhead coordinates: 34.135, -118.2867 (34° 08′ 05.99″N 118° 17′ 12.11″W)
Lower Zoo Trail – 0.5-mile loop
Lower & Upper Zoo Trail – 1.5-mile loop
Open to hikers and dogs (on lead)
Free
Hours: 5.30 am – sunset
A picnic area is located in a canyon north of the merry-go-round
Keep a lookout for rattlesnakes and other bities (we didn’t see any)

Remember: Take only photos, leave no trace. Stay on the trails. Enjoy yourself, and above all, stay safe.

HAUNTED OLD ZOO location map

Google maps screen shot of Griffith Park and roads leading to the Haunted Old Zoo Griffith Park — Location Map – Haunted Old Zoo Griffith Park

Check out Haunted Picnic Table 29 also at Griffith Park

HAUNTED PICNIC TABLE 29 BLOG

There are so many things to see and do in and around the Pasadena area. Why not book a hotel for a couple of days and spend time in a beautiful city. Located just 13 miles from Down Town LA.

MUST-SEE PLACES IN PASADENA