Cleveland National Forest

Updated on Dec 06, 2023

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Nearest city Ramona, California Address San Diego, CA 91901, USA Phone +1 858-673-6180		Governing body U.S. Forest Service Area 1,865 km²

Location San Diego / Riverside / Orange counties, California, United States Website Cleveland National Forest Management United States Forest Service Similar Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Corral Canyon OHV Area, Three Sister Falls, Cedar Creek Falls Trailhead, Lake Morena County P Profiles Facebook

Camping in cleveland national forest a rarely visited area

Cleveland National Forest encompasses 460,000 acres (720 sq mi (1,900 km²)), mostly of chaparral, with a few riparian areas. A warm dry mediterranean climate prevails over the Forest. It is the southernmost National forest of California. It is administered by the United States Forest Service, a government agency within the United States Department of Agriculture. It is divided into the Descanso, Palomar and Trabuco Ranger Districts and is located in the counties of San Diego, Riverside, and Orange.

Cleveland National Forest was created on July 1, 1908 with the consolidation of Trabuco Canyon National Reserve and San Jacinto National Reserve by President Theodore Roosevelt and named after former president Grover Cleveland. It is headquartered in San Diego. The Cleveland National Forest was the site of both of the largest wildfires in California history, the 2003 Cedar Fire, and the Santiago Canyon Fire of 1889. Both fires widely consumed many sections of the area, and endangered many animal species as well.

DistrictsEdit

Trabuco Ranger District – the northernmost area

Consists of most of the Santa Ana Mountains and is bisected by the Ortega Highway, which runs from San Juan Capistrano to Lake Elsinore. Its northern border is Corona.

Palomar Ranger District – near the cities of Escondido and Ramona

Includes the "Highway to the Stars" from State Route 76 to the top of Palomar Mountain.

Descanso Ranger District – east of Alpine

Includes Sunrise Highway, a National Scenic Byway.

Use restrictionsEdit

A National Forest Adventure Pass is required for parking in designated areas of the Cleveland National Forest as well as other National Forests in Southern California, and may be obtained from local merchants, visitor centers, or online.

Available on the Cleveland National Forest Official Site under Current Conditions are road, campground, picnic area, and trail closures.

"Law Enforcement Activities" are a common reason given for closures in the southern portion of the forest. These closures are implemented to limit back road access in hopes of circumnavigating US Border Patrol checkpoints. Bear Valley Road coming up from Buckman Springs, Kitchen Creek Road and Thing Valley Road are among routes that are routinely restricted.

ActivitiesEdit

Popular activities include picnic areas, hiking through the mountains on foot, exploring on horseback, trail mountain biking, camping overnight or driving on the Sunrise Scenic Highway. The Forest also includes Corral Canyon and Wildomar Off-Highway Vehicle Areas.

Besides climbers and wildlife advocates, the Forest also accommodates the needs of telecommunications companies, hunters, campers, utilities, off-road-vehicle enthusiasts, hikers, horse riders, neighbors and others.

CampingEdit

Campgrounds – The Cleveland National Forest has campgrounds available at the Descanso, Palomar, and Trabuco Ranger District. Sites normally serve 6-8 persons and 2 vehicles.

Group camping – Group campgrounds are available.

Remote camping – Visitor's permits are required.

Hiking trailsEdit

Sunset Trail - Sunset Trail is a 4.6 mile loop trail accessible from Meadows Trailhead off Sunrise Highway, mile marker 19.1. The trail, which offers several connection options, winds through pine forest leading one to open meadows, ponds and small lakes, and a popular lookout to the Pacific Ocean. The surrounding habitat supports numerous flora and fauna including native black oaks, Engelmann oaks, giant Jeffrey pines, Acorn Woodpeckers (Melanerpes formicivorus), hawks and turkey vultures. Dogs are not allowed off leash.

ObservatoriesEdit

Mount Laguna Observatory

Wilderness areasEdit

There are four official wilderness areas in Cleveland National Forest that are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. One of them extends into land that is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

Agua Tibia Wilderness (partly BLM)

Hauser Wilderness

Pine Creek Wilderness

San Mateo Canyon Wilderness