Spanning nearly 700,000 acres in the San Gabriel Mountains of Southern California, Angeles National Forest offers breathtaking landscapes, from rugged peaks to tranquil streams. The forest is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, with a variety of activities like hiking, camping, and fishing.
RV camping is popular in the Angeles National Forest, with campgrounds like Los Alamos Campground and Buckhorn Campground offering various RV-friendly amenities. Nearby towns like Arcadia, Azusa, and Pasadena provide convenient RV rental services through RVshare, making it easy to explore the forest’s diverse areas.
Where to Camp
Camping in Angeles National Forest
If you are interested in Angeles National Forest RV camping, the forest offers several RV-friendly campgrounds among its many developed camping areas. You can also explore nearby campgrounds for additional options for camping near Angeles National Forest.
$85 per night (1 to 25 people); $125 per night (26 to 40 people)
Los Alamos Campground
The Los Alamos Campground is located near Pyramid Lake and provides a gorgeous place to park for a day or two. Since it is right at the base of the mountains, there are plenty of nearby hiking opportunities, and you can also have a lot of fun at the lake with water sports like wakeboarding or water skiing. The park has individual and group campsites with grills and picnic tables. Enjoy volleyball courts, toilets that flush, and fresh drinking water. There is also a dump station and a general store on site. You will enjoy the natural beauty and will likely spot lots of birds and squirrels around camp. Fees start at $85 a night for fewer than 25 guests.
Coldbrook Campground
If you enjoy hiking, the Coldbrook Campground is the perfect choice since it has easy access to the Smith Mountain Trailhead. The camping is $12 a night with $5 if you bring an extra vehicle. The campsites are occupied on a first-come, first-served basis. This is a beautiful area near the San Gabriel Mountains, so if you are camping in the summer and enjoy fishing, you will appreciate the stock of rainbow trout.
Manker Campground
The Manker Campground is an experience camping high in the clouds. It has 21 campsites and sits at an elevation of 6,000 feet. The sites are spacious enough for the whole family and have a fire ring, a picnic bench, and vault toilets. This is an excellent choice if you enjoy history since it is a short drive from the visitor center where you can learn about the area's Native American roots as well as the historic Mt. Baldy Schoolhouse. If you want to hike, this is close to the Mt. Baldy Bowl trailhead. The sites are $14 for camping with $5 for an extra vehicle.
The Bear Canyon Trail goes from the Mt. Lowe Truck Trail and to Gabrielino NRT below Switzer Falls. This is a beautiful place to see oaks and sycamore and watch for the gorgeous yellow hooded oriole. This trail leads you through cool stream crossings and magnificent views of the area.
Length: 5 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Fish Canyon Falls Trail
Get ready to enjoy a stunning three-tiered waterfall that drops 80 feet into a canyon. You will hike through the rock quarry to the Fish Canyon Falls Trail. You will experience an elevation change of 650 feet.
Length: 4.8 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Mt. Baldy Trail
The Mt. Baldy Trail is an intense hike but with the promise of a beautiful view of all of Southern California at the end. You gain over 3,900 feet in elevation, and the trail is often strenuous, but you do not need to do any rock climbing. There are many different routes to choose from, leading up different parts of the mountain.
Length: 11.3 miles
Intensity: Challenging
Table Mountain Nature Trail
If you are looking for a shorter walk or are traveling with small children, the Table Mountain Nature Trail is only about a half-mile long. It starts at the Table Mountain Campground and ends in the camp.
Length: 0.5 miles
Intensity: Easy
Bear Creek Trail
The Bear Creek Trail is in the San Gabriel Canyon. This is a fun trip with plenty of fishing, camping, and backpacking along the way. This trail is a perfect spot to enjoy the flora and fauna with flowers like California fuchsia, monkeyflower, and mule’s ears. Be sure to wear a hat since there is not much cover during the first part of the trip.
Length: 11 miles
Intensity: Moderate
Things to Do
Activities in Angeles National Forest
Here are some of the interesting activities to do when you visit the Angeles National Forest:
Hiking:Explore 557 miles of trails in the Angeles National Forest, including 73 miles of national recreation trails and 176 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail with options for all skill levels
Fishing: Enjoy fishing opportunities in areas within the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Popular spots include Fisherman's Point, Frenchman's Flat, Pyramid Lake, and West Fork Fishing Access. Many of these locations are periodically stocked by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Horseback Riding: Horseback riding is permitted on most trails and roads in Angeles National Forest, excluding nature trails. Popular equestrian trails include Mount Waterman, Jackson Lake, Castle Canyon, and Devil’s Punchbowl.
Mountain Biking:Explore mountain biking trails like the Ken Burton, San Gabriel Peak, and Zion trails, along with paths in the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Popular spots include the Bandido Group Campground and Kenyon Devore Trail.
Stargazing:Low light pollution in remote areas like Chilao Campground provides excellent stargazing opportunities. Check NASA’s Sky Events Calendar for meteor showers.
Wildlife Viewing:Wildlife enthusiasts can spot birds, squirrels, or even elusive creatures like bobcats, mountain lions, and Nelson bighorn sheep while exploring the forest's landscapes.
Rock Climbing: Experience the thrill of rock climbing in Angeles National Forest at spots like Ontario Peak and Texas Canyon.
Fishing
Since many areas of the forest include river and lake access, this is a good area for fishing. Be sure to check out Pyramid Lake, Castaic Lake, and Elizabeth Lake for fishing or other water sports. The trails and wilderness areas offer many opportunities for stunning photography with wide-open skies where you can enjoy stargazing at night.
How to Get There
How to get to Angeles National Forest
Address: 12371 Little Tujunga Canyon Rd, Sylmar, CA 91342
Fee: Forest Adventure Pass (annual) $30.0
Fee: Forest Adventure Pass (per day) $5.0
By Car
From Los Angeles:Angeles National Forest is 15.6 miles from Los Angeles, accessible via CA-2 N. Take CA-110 N, then Glendale Freeway to Angeles Crest Highway (CA-2) leading to the forest near La Cañada Flintridge.
From Pasadena :Take I-210 West toward La Cañada Flintridge, then exit onto CA-2 East, also known as Angeles Crest Highway. Follow this scenic byway, which leads directly into the Angeles National Forest.
By Air
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): This major airport isaround 34 miles from Angeles National Forest and provides a wide range of domestic and international flight options.
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR):Located approximately 12.4 miles away, this is the closest regional airport to the forest and offers direct rail service to Los Angeles.
Prepare for your visit to Angeles National Forest with the necessary permits and stay updated on seasonal closures to make the most of your visit.
Fees:There is no general entry fee for Angeles National Forest. However, parking at trailheads requires a $5 daily or $30 annual Forest Adventure Pass. National passes like the Interagency Annual Pass are also accepted.
Permits: Wilderness permits are needed for overnight stays in backcountry areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Angeles National Forest
Is there a fee to get into Angeles National Forest?
There are many spots in the Angeles National Forest that do not require a fee. However, some areas require visitors to have the Adventure Pass or to pay other fees. The Forest Adventure Pass Daily Pass costs $5 per vehicle per day.
Is Angeles National Forest open all year round?
The Angeles National Forest is open year round. Visitors can hike, mountain bike, and participate in a variety of outdoor activities all year long in the forest.
What type of wildlife lives in Angeles National Forest?
Wildlife that lives in Angeles National Forest includes bobcat, mountain lions, bear, and Nelson bighorn sheep. There is also a variety of birds, along with squirrels and other small animals.
What is the closest town to Angeles National Forest?
San Fernando is one of the closest towns to Angeles National Forest. The forest is also near cities like Altadena and Pasadena and it doesn't take long to go from a crowded city to the forest.
How many hiking trails does Angeles National Forest have?
Angeles National Forest has 53 trailheads. There are over 200 trails in the forest for hikers to explore.
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