Angeles National Forest

Welcome

Welcome to the Angeles National Forest!

To the millions of Los Angeles-area residents and to visitors from all over the world, the Angeles National Forest provides a thousand square miles of open space and a variety of recreation opportunities year-around.

The Angeles offers natural environments, spectacular scenery, developed campgrounds and picnic areas, swimming, fishing, skiing and the solitude of quiet wilderness areas. Trails winding throughout the forest accommodate hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers and off-highway vehicle enthusiasts. Please visit our recreational activities page for more information.

Many of the facilities and services in the Angeles National Forest are free. Some areas and facilities in the Angeles, as well as in the other national forests of Southern California, require the Adventure Pass or other recreation fees to help maintain, manage and improve the amenities that forest visitors enjoy.

To learn if fees are required at the area or facility you plan to visit, please consult the Recreation Fee Areas map or contact the Forest Service office nearest your destination. For more information on the Adventure Pass program, including where to purchase passes, please visit our Adventure Pass web page.

Again, welcome to the Angeles National Forest—YOUR great outdoors to visit, to care for and to enjoy!

Caution Urged as Winter Conditions Have Returned

Recent storm systems have left snow pack in excess of forty inches in the higher elevations of the San Gabriel Mountains. Even around some forest communities and along roads at lower elevations, well over a foot blankets the slopes. More snow is in the forecast for this weekend.

"Visitors need to be extra cautious," advises Forest Supervisor Jody Noiron. "Thousands of winter visitors to the Forest have safe and pleasant outings," said Noiron. "But we all need to remember that recreation in the mountains this time of year means going prepared and constantly monitoring the conditions."

Skiing, sledding, and snow play are available for all to enjoy. However, visitors are urged to come prepared for the potential hazards that come with winter conditions.   read more »

Vegetation Management

The Angeles National Forest encompasses about 680,000 acres, including much of the San Gabriel Mountain range. Each year, thousands of these acres of grasses, chaparral, and trees are strategically chosen for "treatments" by various means.

These treatments may including removing dead or diseased trees, pruning, removal of dead understory, thinning of timber stands, chipping, masticating brush and pile burning. Although the window for using prescribed fire (broadcast burning) is very narrow in southern California (winds, humidity and a variety of other factors have to be just right for this to be done safely), this method is sometimes used to remove hazardous fuels and improve habitat conditions for wildlife.

The goals of the vegetation or "fuels" management projects are twofold—to protect communities from the threat of wildfires and to improve forest health conditions. The work is carefully planned by a team of U.S. Forest Service botanists, wildlife biologists, foresters, and fire management specialists. Many of the projects are very labor-intensive and require fire crews to manually complete the work when they are not training or on fires during the season.   read more »

Current Closures

The Buckweed Fire Closure has been extended for one more year. The extension of this closure includes both the Rowher Flat and Drinkwater OHV areas. The signed order with the supporting documents has been posted on the Forest Orders webpage.

Posey Canyon/Ridge Route remains closed. — Closure of the area around the Posey Canyon/Ridge Route Pipeline Rehabilitation Project has been extended through December 19, 2009, for resource protection and public safety. The signed order with the supporting documents has been posted on the Forest Orders webpage.

William Rock area closure has been extended until December 31, 2009 to address concerns related to the protection of the Mountain Yellow-legged Frog and its critical habitat in the area. Hikers using the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail will continue to be re-routed around the closed area.   read more »

Antelope-Pardee 500kV Transmission Project Area — The signed order with the supporting documents has been posted on the Forest Orders webpage.   news release »

Motor Vehicle Use Map

There are no areas on the Angeles National Forest that are open to cross-country travel. The Motor Vehicle Use Map displays roads and trails that are open for motor vehicle use by the public on the Angeles National Forest. The free map also displays public and private land ownership, plus any seasonal closures or restrictions by vehicle type.
Note:   Rincon-Red Box OHV route is available by permit only and is subject to intermittent administrative closures.   map »

Hours Changing for Gate on Chantry Flat Road

The gate at the entrance to Chantry Flat Road will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., effective Friday, August 1, 2008. The coalition of agencies and municipalities that manage the road determined the change based on increasing fire danger and a history of human-caused fires in the area.   read more »

Forest Service to Consider Barren Ridge Renewable Transmission Project (BRRTP) Proposal

The Forest Service is considering authorizing and/or amending special use authorization(s) to the City of Los Angeles, Department of Water and Power to construct, upgrade, and add facilities to a new and existing 230-kV electric transmission system in the Angeles National Forest. The proposed project (BRRTP), would deliver electricity from renewable energy projects in Mojave Desert and Owens Valley areas to the City of Los Angeles. read more »

Forest Service to Consider Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP) Proposal

The Forest Service is considering authorizing a special use permit for construction, use, and maintenance of new or upgraded high-voltage electric transmission lines in the Angeles National Forest. The proposed project, called Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP), includes a series of transmission line improvements to deliver electricity from wind projects in Kern County to southern California.   read more »

Los Planes Forestal

El Servicio Forestal de los Estados Unidos a reestrenado los planes de manejo de tierras para los cuatro bosques nacionales del sur de California (más)

Current Conditions

Visit the Current Conditions page for road, trail, and campground closures or call a Forest Service office near your planned destination to check on conditions before you leave your home.