Recreation

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Passes & Permits
Whether you're looking to picnic, camp, gather firewood, film, or more, make sure you have your passes and permits ready to go before you head out to the forest!
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Outdoor Safety & Ethics
Make your forest visit a great one by recreating safely and ethically. We have great tips and useful information!
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Maps & Publications
Prepare yourself with digital or printed maps of the forest! Or access recreation opportunity guides.
Current Recreation Conditions
Area Name | Status | Area Conditions |
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Appletree Campground | Open | This recreation site is managed by concessionaire, Mountain High Resort. Please contact them for any updates, concerns, or questions at: (888) 754-7878 or campgrounds@mthigh.com. |
Arch-Big Pines Picnic Site | Open | |
Baldy Bowl Trail | Open | |
Bandido Group Campground | Closed | TEMPORARILY CLOSED due to Highway 2 road damage being worked on by Caltrans. For Highway 2 road conditions, visit: Caltrans Road Information |
Bear Campground | Closed | This campground is temporarily closed due to road damage and will reopen when road conditions are cleared. |
Bear Canyon Trail | Open | |
Bear Canyon Trail Camp (Hike-in Campground) | Open | General Camping Info: Find helpful guidance and tips for an enjoyable trip to the forest! Know Fire & Other Restrictions Before You Go!: These conditions can affect your entire 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. Be Bear Aware!: Bear safety is critical, for the safety of your group and/or you, as well as our bears. Help keep bears wild by following these tips. |
Big Pines Visitor Center | Open | |
Big Rock Campground | Open | ROAD CLOSED TO VEHICLES. (Hike-in only). No maintenance of facilities until the road reopens. |
Blue Ridge Campground | Open | |
Blue Ridge Trail | Open | |
Buckhorn Campground | Temporarily Closed | TEMPORARILY CLOSED due to Highway 2 road damage being worked on by Caltrans. For Highway 2 road conditions, visit: Caltrans Road Information |
Buckhorn Day-Use Area | Temporarily Closed | TEMPORARILY CLOSED due to Highway 2 road damage being worked on by Caltrans. For Highway 2 road conditions, visit: Caltrans Road Information |
Cabin Flat Trail Camp (Hike-in Campground) | Open | Hike-in only. |
Chantry Flat Picnic Area | Temporarily Closed | Closed due to a road improvement project. |
Charlton Flats Picnic Area | Temporarily Closed | TEMPORARILY CLOSED due to Highway 2 road damage being worked on by Caltrans. For Highway 2 road conditions, visit: Caltrans Road Information |
Chilao Campground | Temporarily Closed | TEMPORARILY CLOSED due to Highway 2 road damage being worked on by Caltrans. For Highway 2 road conditions, visit: Caltrans Road Information |
Chilao Picnic Area | Temporarily Closed | |
Chilao Visitor Center | Temporarily Closed | Open weekends 9am-4pm. |
Clear Creek Information Station | Closed | |
Coldbrook Campground | Open | |
Cooper Canyon Trail Camp (Hike-in Campground) | Temporarily Closed | TEMPORARILY CLOSED due to Highway 2 road damage being worked on by Caltrans. For Highway 2 road conditions, visit: Caltrans Road Information |
Coulter Group Campground | Closed | TEMPORARILY CLOSED due to Highway 2 road damage being worked on by Caltrans. For Highway 2 road conditions, visit: Caltrans Road Information |
Crystal Lake Rec Area Campground | Open | The Campground loops for camping A, B, C, D, and I are now OPEN for camping. |
Deer Flat Group Campground | Closed | Closed indefinitely due to road damage. |
Devore Trail Camp (Hike-in Campground) | Open | The road to this campground is closed to vehicle traffic due to road damage. |
Elizabeth Lake Day-Use Area | Open | |
Glenn Camp Campground (Hike or bike in 7 miles) | Open | |
Gould Mesa Trail Camp (Hike-in Campground) | Open | Maintenance and cleaning of sites will be sporadic due to a county road project. |
Grassy Hollow Visitor Center | Temporarily Closed | |
Guffy Campground | Open | Guffy Campground is located 6 miles from Inspiration Point and Angeles Crest Highway (CA-2). |
Hoegees Trail Camp (Hike-in Campground) | Temporarily Closed | Closed due to the Bobcat Fire closure. |
Horse Flat Campground | Closed | TEMPORARILY CLOSED due to Highway 2 road damage being worked on by Caltrans. For Highway 2 road conditions, visit: Caltrans Road Information |
Idlehour Trail Camp (Hike-in Campground) | Open | |
Jackson Flat Group Campground | Open | |
Lake Campground | Open | |
Lightning Point Group Campground | Closed | |
Little Jimmy Trail Camp (Hike-in Campground) | Temporarily Closed | TEMPORARILY CLOSED due to Highway 2 road damage being worked on by Caltrans. For Highway 2 road conditions, visit: Caltrans Road Information No toilet facilities. |
Los Alamos Campground | Open | For campground info, contact the concessionaire at Pyramid Lake by calling (661) 295-7155. |
Lupine Campground | Open | (Hike-in only - 9 miles from gate) No maintenance of facilities until the road reopens. |
Manker Flat Campground | Open | |
Meadow Group Campground | Closed | TEMPORARILY CLOSED due to Highway 2 road damage being worked on by Caltrans. For Highway 2 road conditions, visit: Caltrans Road Information. Due to plumbing repairs, there is no piped water available at this time. When site is open the flush toilets are closed, vault toilets are available. Forest visitors are advised to bring enough water for drinking, washing, and extinguishing your campfires. We are working diligently to get the repairs completed. |
Messenger Flats Campground | Open | This campground is hike-in only. |
Millard Trail Camp (Hike-in Campground) | Open | |
Monte Cristo Campground | Open | |
Mountain Oak Campground | Open | Make reservations at www.recreation.gov or 1-877-444-6777. For more information, contact the concessionaire at Mountain High Resort at 888-754-7878. |
Mt. Lowe Trail Camp (Hike-in Campground) | Open | Maintenance/cleaning of sites is sporadic due to debris on road. |
Mt. Pacifico Campground | Closed | Road closed to vehicles due to road damage. No maintenance of facilities until the road reopens. |
Mt. Wilson Trail | Open | |
Oak Flat Campground | Open | |
PCT - San Francisquito Canyon Trail | None | |
PCT Trailhead--6,000 | Temporarily Closed | |
PCT Trailhead--Pony Park | Open | |
Peavine Campground | Open | Camping fee paid on-site or with host at Mt. Oak Campground. For info, please contact the concessionaire - Mountain High Resort (888) 754-7878. |
Prairie Fork Trail | Open | |
Pyramid Lake--Los Alamos Group Campground | Open | |
Red Box Picnic Area | Open | |
Rowher Flats OHV Area | Open | |
San Gabriel Canyon Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Area | Open | Weekends only, 8am-4pm. |
Sawmill Campground | Open | You must access this campground from Pine Canyon Road due to a road closure off of Old Ridge Route / Quail Lake Road. |
Southfork Campground | Open | No water available. High clearance vehicles are recommended to recent rain/ debris flow on the road to the site. |
Spring Camp Campground | Temporarily Closed | Closed due to the Bobcat Fire. |
Spruce Grove Trail Camp (Hike-in Campground) | Temporarily Closed | Temporarily closed due to the Bobcat Fire. |
Sulphur Springs Trail Camp (Hike-in Campground) | Open | Hike-in only. |
Switzer Picnic Site | Open | |
Sycamore Flat Campground | Open | No water. |
Table Mountain Campground | Open | Make reservations at www.recreation.gov or 1-877-444-6777. For more information, contact the concessionaire at Mountain High Resort at 888-754-7878. |
Upper Shake Campground | Temporarily Closed | Closed due to an improvement project. |
Valley Forge Trail Camp (Hike-in Campground) | Open | The road to this campground is closed to vehicle traffic due to road damage. No maintenance of facilities until the road reopens. |
West Fork Trail Camp (Hike-in Campground) | Open | The road to this campground is closed to vehicle traffic due to road damage. No maintenance of facilities until the road reopens. |
Wildwood Picnic Site | Open |
Alerts & Warnings
- NEW! Office Updates - Need Info or Passes?
- UPDATED! Forest Service Road Closures
- Additional Damage to Roads/Trails Due to Tropical Storm Hilary
- Fire Danger: HIGH
- Temporary Closures (Bobcat Fire)
- Advisory: Safety by Waterfalls / Streams / Creeks
- Driving to the Forest?
- Advisory: Hiking at High Elevations
- Planning to Camp? (Stay Limits & Dispersed Camping Restrictions)