Angeles National Forest

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Parks

California

Nearby: Scubie Mills Park Zone Iii Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Angeles National Forest is a vast natural area located in the state of California.

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Summary

It is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Some of the reasons to visit the forest include hiking, camping, fishing, mountain biking, and skiing. The forest covers over 650,000 acres and features varied terrain, including mountains, forests, and rivers. It is home to several unique species of plants and animals, including the California condor, the bighorn sheep, and the black bear.

There are several points of interest to see in Angeles National Forest, including the Mount Baldy Ski Area, the Devil's Punchbowl Natural Area, and the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. Visitors can also explore the many hiking trails within the forest, such as the Pacific Crest Trail and the Bridge to Nowhere Trail.

Interesting facts about Angeles National Forest include that it was established in 1908 and is the largest national forest in California. It is named after the nearby city of Los Angeles and is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

The best time of year to visit Angeles National Forest depends on the activities you plan to do. For hiking and camping, the spring and fall months are the best as the weather is cooler. For skiing and snowboarding, the winter months are ideal. However, the forest is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy its beauty and recreational opportunities at any time of the year.

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.

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