Los Angeles is known to be filled with beautiful hidden gems around each corner. Whether it’s a pop-up museum, or an Instagram-able mural, L.A. is filled with small secret spots perfect for Angelenos and tourists alike to share special moments in the city.

​One of these photo-worthy gems is a hidden swing at the top of Elysian Park. After a short trail up to Park Row Drive, visitors have a chance to take in the breathtaking view while on a rope swing hung on from a graffitied tree.

​Hikers wishing to catch the feat in person though, have to keep up with the ever-changing installations of the exclusive attraction.

Out of all the parks around the L.A. area, Elysian Park itself is not very well known and is somewhat underrated. The city park, although being right in the same neighborhood as Dodger’s Stadium, is not at all that busy and the park itself leads up to the secret swing, which overlooks beautiful Los Angeles, with views passing the Golden State Freeway to the Elyria Canyon Park Hills and surrounding mountains.

​Although it is not known when the swing was actually put in place, the park itself has a deep-rooted history in the area, being recognized in 1886. What originally was named the Rock Quarry Hills Park, by the Mayor and City Council at the time, was renamed Elysian Park, stemming from the Greek myth word Elysium, or “paradise”. 

​​It is without a doubt that this renaming was a predecessor for what would come from this gorgeous spot in the hills of Downtown L.A. Visitors can find themselves getting to this spot with some ease though, as the park opens around 8 AM and closes at 9 PM. However, with COVID restrictions, some park rules and times are subject to change. After finding a parking spot on Angel Point Road, a steep 5 minute trail on the fire road to the left will lead them up to the swing. There is a catch -- the swing itself gets installed and uninstalled on random occasions, most likely to preserve the traffic to the top of the park. So visitors have to play a bit of a scavenger hunt when visiting in order to be able to catch that perfect view and/or perfect Instagram-picture opportunity. Once found though, there is no trouble with timing and waiting as the spot is not that crowded, especially on weekdays.

After being able to experience this DTLA beauty, pre-COVID, I can say that I would definitely recommend grabbing the chance to go again as soon as possible, with considerations and respect to pandemic precautions in place. My personal favorite time experiencing the scenic park and swing was a small picnic I had with a few friends. We walked around the park itself, enjoyed the scenery, and as it hit sunset, we walked up to see the swing in all of its glory. From there we were able to take some more nice photographs of one another and enjoy the rest of the night talking and looking at the cityscape from the gorgeous view . If picnics are not your thing, a classic morning hike on the Elysian Park Hike Trail leads close to the parking lot, to where you can cross and spot the hidden gem. From there, feel free to enjoy the view and take in the beautiful landscape.

As someone who has visited Elysian Park a couple of times, I advise going with a few friends during sunrise or sunset. Weekdays are the best option and during the spring and summertime, it truly makes for a memorable experience. I also recommend wearing something comfortable to hike in as although the hike up is very short, it is fairly steep. Also, do not give up if the swing itself is not there for the first time visiting; the location itself is so breathtaking and such a classic moment in time for modern day Los Angeles that if you're motivated enough to revisit and catch the swing installed, it is genuinely worth it.

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"The Secret Swing atop Elysian Park thus makes for a great chance to go and enjoy the historic park and do some hiking along the way. It will not only make for some very memorable pictures but a small yet amazing experience within the city as well--
​A spot rightfully named after paradise."

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Exact Location of the Elysian Park Secret Swing:

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​Check out the park here!
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Elysian Park Address
929 Academy Rd Los Angeles, CA 90012
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Phone number:
(213) 847-0926

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