Angeles National Forest

For those who want to experience the natural beauty of Southern California but don’t want to stray too far from the Greater Los Angeles Area, the vast expanse of the Angeles National Forest is the perfect destination for your next outdoor adventure. Covering an area of 700,176 acres (1,094 mi²/2,833.5 km²), this adventure lover’s paradise can be found just a stone’s throw away from major metropolitan areas, in the rugged terrain of the San Gabriel and Sierra Pelona mountains.

Established in 1908, Angeles National Forest protects a wide variety of flora and fauna native to the Southern California area, such as Jeffrey and Lodgepole pines, mule deer, black bears, bobcats, gray foxes, and many more. Although authorities work hard to protect the wildlife and plantlife in the region, the dry climate found here makes it prone to wildfires that have historically devastated swathes of the forest, such as the 1966 Loop Fire, the 2009 Station Fire, and the 2020 Bobcat Fire. Even still, the region remains a beautifully scenic destination for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages, skill levels, and dispositions; so if you are planning to explore the Golden State, you should strongly consider making the Angeles National Forest an integral part of your itinerary.