Angeles National Forest

Rising dramatically behind Los Angeles, Angeles National Forest offers 661,565 acres of rugged mountain terrain just an hour from downtown. Established in 1908, this sprawling wilderness encompasses the San Gabriel Mountains and Sierra Pelona Mountains, providing a striking contrast to the urban sprawl below.

The forest serves as the recreational backyard for millions of Southern Californians. Hikers can tackle trails ranging from easy nature walks to challenging summit attempts on peaks exceeding 10,000 feet. Mount Baldy, the highest point in Los Angeles County, draws experienced trekkers year-round. The Angeles Crest Scenic Byway (Highway 2) winds through the heart of the forest, offering stunning vistas at pullouts like Clear Creek Vista Point.

Twenty-two campgrounds dot the landscape, including popular spots like Chilao Campground on Manzanita Loop, family-friendly Appletree Campground, and Grassy Hollow near the higher elevations. Coulter Group Campground accommodates larger parties, while Pyramid Lake at Emigrant Landing provides waterfront day-use access. Anglers find productive fishing in mountain streams and reservoirs throughout the forest.

The San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, managed within the forest boundaries, protects some of the most scenic and ecologically significant terrain in Southern California.

Best Time to Visit: Spring brings wildflowers and comfortable temperatures. Summer offers prime camping conditions at higher elevations, though lower areas get hot. Fall delivers clear skies and golden light. Winter brings snow to upper elevations, closing some roads but opening opportunities for snowplay.

Access: Multiple entry points from Los Angeles via I-210 and Highway 2. Forest headquarters are located in Arcadia.