Special Places
Go explore!
Wilderness, Wild and Scenic Rivers, National Monuments and more special areas await. Come explore the Pacific Southwest Region's Special Places!
Please visit the forest website for details on the exciting special places that await you there.
Special Management Areas
In addition to Wilderness and Wild and Scenic Rivers, Congress has given special recognition to areas in the Pacific Southwest Region. The areas are:
- Kings River Special Management Area, Sierra National Forest
- Smith River National Recreation Area, Six Rivers National Forest
- Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area, Shasta-Trinity National Forest
- Mono Basin National Scenic Area, Inyo National Forest
- Giant Sequoia National Monument, Sequoia National Forest
- Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, San Bernardino National Forest
- Sand to Snow National Monument, San Bernardino National Forest
- Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, Mendocino National Forest
- San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, Angeles National Forest
- Pacific Crest Trail, crosses many National Forests and other lands in California, Oregon and Washington
The Forest Service provides administrative recognition of special scenic, cultural, geological, botanical, zoological, paleontological or other special values by designating areas as special interest areas. There are 221,700 acres (89,721 hectares) in 129 special interest areas in the Pacific Southwest Region.
Features
Wilderness Areas in California managed by the Forest Service
A uniquely American idea, wilderness is part of our heritage and is passed on as a legacy to our children. Firmly attached to the American past, the legacy that is wilderness will remain indispensable to the American future.
Wild and Scenic Rivers in California managed by the Forest Service
It is not just government agencies that are responsible for protecting and managing our national wild & scenic rivers. Many of us get our drinking water from rivers, and many of the animals we like to see live there. You are every bit as critical.
Spotlights
National Recreation Trails in California managed by the Forest Service
Discover one of the 54 National Scenic Trails located on National Forest System land in California today!
Kid-Friendly Locations on the National Forests in California
Here is an assortment of family-friendly locations as well as information about the Every Kid Outdoors Pass for 4th Graders