Ladies of the Canyon

The third album takes its title from Laurel Canyon. Mitchell lived and wrote at 8217 Lookout Mountain Avenue, the house in Graham Nash's Our House, and was living with Nash while much of the album was written. It reached 27 on the Billboard 200 and is certified platinum. Crosby, Stills and Nash sing as the Lookout Mountain United Downstairs Choir on The Circle Game, and other players include Paul Horn on clarinet and flute, Jim Horn on baritone saxophone, Teresa Adams on cello and Milt Holland on percussion.

Robert Christgau wrote in 1970 that it was superior to her previous work, richer lyrically and more compelling musically. The title song names three real women: Annie Burden, Estrella Berosini and Trina Robbins. Rainy Night House concerns her brief relationship with Leonard Cohen, and Big Yellow Taxi has been covered many times. Lana Del Rey covered For Free on her 2021 album Chemtrails over the Country Club.