Angeles National Forest is a beautiful area of Southern California covering over 700,000 acres. The outdoor wonderland covers part of the San Gabriel Mountains and Sierra Pelona Mountains. It contains five national wilderness areas and almost 700 miles worth of hiking trails. There is plenty to see and do in this forest, depending on the area of the forest you visit and the time of year. There are areas for hiking, fishing, and other water sports, skiing, or even picnicking. The four visitor centers are there to guide you.
Camping in Angeles National Forest
Angeles National Forest is a vast area with plenty to do. You can take your time exploring if you travel by RV because it allows you to stop and eat or sleep whenever it is convenient for you. If you do not own an RV, consider renting one using RVshare.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Activities in Angeles National Forest
Visiting the Angeles National Forest gives you over 700,000 acres to explore, so it is popular for geocaching. When it comes to flora, you will find much of the park covered in chaparral shrubs and oak woodlands. As you go up in elevation, you will see more pine and fir trees including acres of old-growth. You may also catch sight of gray foxes, bears, bobcats, cougar, deer, or bighorn sheep.
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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 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
The Angeles National Forest is a wonderful place to explore full of hiking trails, stunning views, and a wide variety of camping areas. You will find a vast collection of beautiful plants and maybe even see an animal or two. There are lakes in the area as well, so you can enjoy fishing or other water sports during your stay. Traveling in an RV will allow you to enjoy your visit to its fullest since you will always have a spot to take a break or spend the night.
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.
