About the Area

The Angeles National Forest was established by Executive Order in December 1892. It covers nearly 700,000 acres and is the backyard playground to the huge metropolitan area of Los Angeles. The Angeles National Forest manages the watersheds within its boundaries to provide valuable water to southern California and to protect surrounding communities from catastrophic floods.

The land within the forest is as diverse in appearance and terrain as it is in the opportunities it provides for enjoyment. Elevations range from 1,200 to 10,064 feet. Much of the forest is covered with dense chaparral which changes to pine and fir-covered slopes as you reach the majestic peaks of the higher elevations.

The Angeles National Forest 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 Visitor Guide for more information.

The Angeles National Forest is the ancestral and traditional homelands of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (Serrano), Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians (Tataviam), Gabrieleno - San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians (Tongva), Gabrieleno Kizh (Kizh), Tejon Indian Tribe (Kitanemuk, Yokuts, and Chumash), and Ventureño Chumash (Chumash).  Over decades, these Tribes have maintained and continue their connection and relationship with their ancestral lands to this day.

We honor America’s first inhabitants and the Tribal Nations that continue to thrive and who maintain their connections with Forest Service managed lands. The Forest Service would like to recognize the invaluable contributions and resilience of Indigenous peoples, their inherent sovereignty, and recommit to honoring the Federal Government’s trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations.