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Recreation Region: Los Angeles Gateway District

Chantry Flat Picnic Area

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Nestled high on a ridge in Big Santa Anita Canyon, the Chantry Flat Picnic Area offers a quick getaway to nature. The drive itself delivers epic views of the San Gabriel Valley before reaching the shade of Chantry Flat. 

After parking and displaying an Adventure Pass or America the Beautiful Pass, visitors can setup a family picnic on one of the many picnic sites tucked into the hillside or hike to various locations, including nearby Sturtevant Falls. This area has a little something for everyone.

The Adams Pack Station with onsite cafe is the only pack station in Southern California. Donkeys carry goods into the high country for cabin owners and other people staying at the historic Sturtevant Camp. 

Current Conditions
Roadway into Chantry Flat:
May be closed to vehicles for safety reasons at any time in this steep environment, even if the picnic area and adjacent hiking trails are open to the public to hike in. This is not something the Angeles National Forest has control of, as this road is managed by several entities.
- The City of Sierra Madre manages a small portion of roadway and controls the gate into the site.
- Los Angeles County Public Works manages and maintains most of the road.
- The Angeles National Forest manages a small portion of this roadway closer to the picnic area.

Open Trails Include:
-- First Water Trail
--Sturtevant Loop and Trail (but Mt. Wilson is in the post-Eaton Fire closure area)
-- Gabrielino National Recreation Trail
-- Upper and Lower Winter Creek trails

OPEN but please stay off of for now:
Zion Trail - OPEN, but still needs more volunteer work to be ready for visitors; impacted by post-fire flooding

CLOSED TRAILS
- Sierra Madre section of Mt Wilson Trail closed below Upper Winter Creek Trail

General Information

Day-use hours: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Leave enough time to drive to the bottom of the canyon and exit before 8 p.m. 

Adventure Pass $5/day or $30/year. Interagency Passes also accepted. 

Purchase your Adventure Pass at Adams Pack Station or bring it with you. https://adamspackstation.com/

Know Fire & Other Restrictions Before You Go!: These conditions can affect your trip. 

For example, Extreme and Critical fire use restrictions mean no campfires and no portable cooking systems/stoves. Bring cold food and no s'mores.

Day Use:
$5 per vehicle per day
$30 per annual

Dogs must be on leash.

36 CFR 261.8 (d) Possessing a dog not on a leash or otherwise confined. 

$150 fine

Photo of the entrance to the LA Ranger District Office

Address: 12371 N. Little Tujunga Canyon Road San Fernando, CA 91342
Phone: (818) 899-1900
Hours: Open Monday- Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Closed 1 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. for lunch. (Closed on federal holidays)

Getting There

Latitude / Longitude

Latitude: 34.19611111

Longitude: -118.0233333

Elevation

2,200 ft.

Directions

To reach Chantry Flat Picnic area, drive 5 miles into the mountains from North Santa Anita Avenue in Arcadia, Calif., off Interstate 210.

Facility and Amenity Information

Restrooms

Restrooms are available at this site.

Water

Potable water is available at this site.

Drinking fountains available at the upper and lower parking lots.

Picnic Tables

Picnic tables are available at this site.

Amenities: Picnic tables and BBQ grills, although not allowed when in EXTREME or CRITICAL fire restrictions.

Water fountains to fill up water bottles, flush and vault toilets, and accessible picnic sites.

Recreation Opportunities

Viewing SceneryViewing Scenery
Viewing PlantsViewing Plants
Viewing WildlifeViewing Wildlife

Last updated July 7th, 2025