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!

Fire Fighters from Santa Clarita area win award in Parade

Forest Service firefighters won 1st Place for a hay-bale-laden, American- flag- adorned, banner-draped, stake-side truck rumbling along in a caravan during the Santa Clarita, Calif., July Fourth Parade.

The firefighters from the Santa Clara/Mojave Rivers Ranger District won in the Commercial/Specialized Vehicle category. The parade route was packed by more than 20,000 onlookers and broadcast on local television. The Forest Service caravan was led by Battalion 33 Ramiro Gomez, followed by Patrol 31, Crew 3, Engine 31, Dozer 3, and of course the crowd-pleasing Smokey Bear with several Texas Canyon Hotshots riding in style in back of the truck.

_{Smokey Bear accompanies the trophy won by Santa-Clarita-area firefighters for their entry in the town’s July 4^th Parade.}

Smokey made sure that the 10-foot banners draped on each side would help spread the message that "Fire Prevention is A Team Effort." Announcers reminded the crowd of the Forest Service role in their community, adding that "Only YOU Can Prevent Forest Fires!", "Smokey’s friends never play with matches!", and the Forest Service mission of "Caring for the Land and Serving People."

Video of the Smokey Bear entry can be viewed at http://www.scvtv.com/parade/ Scroll ahead to 16:30 in the video. The firefighters are grateful to all who gave their support and look forward to next year’s parade!

Angeles National Forest Opens Some Areas Closed by Station Fire

Angeles National Forest will reopen about a dozen areas previously closed since the Station Fire last year. The reopenings set for May 26 will offer the public recreation including hiking, picnicking and camping.

Locations accessible include the Magic Mountain Wilderness, and vast majorities of Pleasant View Wilderness, West Fork of the San Gabriel River, Rincon Shortcut Road, Millard Campground, Chilao, Bandito, Horse Flats, Meadow Loop, Manzanita Loop and Coulter recreation areas. Additional areas are reflected on the attached map.

The bulk of the burned areas remain closed for rehabilitation and public safety, until further notice. The Forest Service intent is to reopen areas severely damaged in the fire over the next few years as conditions allow.   news release     forest order

» Forestwide Listing of Angeles National Forest Recreation Areas:   Open and Closed

Fire-danger level being raised at Angeles National Forest

The Angeles National Forest fire-danger level was raised from "Low" to "High" on Monday, May 24, to enhance public awareness that fire-risk conditions are rising with warmer weather and drier local vegetation.   news release

New Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) Route Change

The US Forest Service and PCTA have worked cooperatively to ensure that hikers and equestrians receive the best information available for PCT reroutes. Regrettably, the Station Fire on the Angeles National Forest impacted approximately 37 miles of trail and finding an acceptable reroute has turned out to be complicated due to the magnitude of the burn and our mutual desire to minimize road walk. Unfortunately, the reroute which was just posted by the PCTA proved to be in an area that was recently determined to have continued hazards. Therefore, it became clear that the initial reroute was no longer an option and we requested that the PCTA website reflect this notice immediately — fortunately, they were able to post the new reroute on their website within 24 hours of our request. We appreciate their quick response and we are truly sorry for any confusion this may have caused.

Current Closures

For information regarding any state highway or freeway in LA or Ventura counties call Caltrans Public/Media Affairs at 213-897-3656. Or visit Caltrans on the World Wide Web (www).

The Station Fire Closure Area     forest order »

The Mount Lowe Truck Trail (Forest Trail No. 2N50) has been closed from its intersection with Eaton Saddle, west ½ mile to its intersection with Markham Saddle. A 150 foot portion of the trail has collapsed making it dangerous to cross.     forest order »

Posey Canyon/Ridge Route remains closed. — Closure of the area around the Posey Canyon/Ridge Route Pipeline Rehabilitation Project has been extended through December 17, 2010, for resource protection and public safety. The signed order with the supporting documents has been posted on the Forest Orders webpage.

Williamson Rock area closure has been extended until December 31, 2010 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.   The signed order with the supporting documents has been posted on the Forest Orders webpage.

Thanks from the Forest Supervisor for Offers to Help

Jody Noiron, Angeles Forest Supervisor, would like to thank all of those who have contacted her and her staff expressing their support and interest in the recovery and restoration of the Angeles National Forest following the devastating Station Fire.   read more »

Letter from Jody Noiron to Interested Volunteers/Partners

Information for Home Owners Regarding Restoration and Structure Protection
After the Fires

Below are two weblinks with various information for home owners who need help with restoration and structure protection after a wildfire (preventing mudflows, erosion control, debri flows).

USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers various types of technical and financial help for those who have been affected by natural resource disasters. Teams are already forming and assessing the needs and opportunities for conservation assistance following Southern California's wildfires.     Natural Resources Conservation Service »

C.A.R.E.   "Coordinated Agency Recovery Effort"   provides information to residents seeking post-fire recovery assistance, mud flow protection advice, and related emergency notices. Visit the website http://dpw.lacounty.gov/CARE/ or call (626) 458-5100 for more information.

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.