Griffith Park Pony & Wagon Rides

Here's where to go for your childen's first pony ride. And the second, third, fourth, and fifth! The Griffith Park pony rides are designed to carry children from when they're toddlers (strapped to the saddle), to when they're old enough to trot around by themselves on a big pony.

The rides are located next to a pleasant picnic area in Griffith Park.

Babies can be strapped on to the smallest, safest ponies as soon as they can sit up. A merry-go-round type contraption keeps the ponies going in a small circle, and parents are allowed to walk next to their children, or stand immediately outside the track.

The next step is the slow pony ride, suggested for kids ages two and up. These smaller ponies are well-trained to walk around a track at a steady pace, and children can wave at their parents waiting on the other side of a fence.

The medium ride is for kids over three, who weigh less than one hundred pounds. The ponies are a bit bigger, and walk a bit faster, on a slightly bigger track.

The biggest ponies are for kids aged seven and up who are taller than 48 inches, but who weigh less than 100 pounds. These are larger steeds, and the staff will help the kids get these ponies going around their track at a steady, but quite bouncy, trot.

If your head is spinning with all these choices, you can always opt for the sedate and scenic wagon ride, boarding passengers right next to the ponies, and circling the area twice.

The Griffith Park Snack Bar is open from 10am-4pm, serving hot dogs, pizza, pretzels, and sodas. Picnic tables are scattered about. Bathrooms, next to the snack bar, and are adequate, but not sparkling.