Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Need Some Fresh Air? Here's What's Open For You To Check Out The Angeles National Forest
A man hikes on Mount Wilson in the San Gabriel Mountains in late June.
(
David McNew
/
Getty Images
)
While the Angeles National Forest may be L.A.’s own backyard playground, lingering winter storm damage and recent wildfires have closed 16 campgrounds and Highway 2.
If you're clamoring to get into the great outdoors, the good news is there are still plenty of places to explore.
We did the research for you.
The backstory
Winter storm damage has several roads and major highways in the forest still closed to traffic. Highway 2 is shut down for the foreseeable future, according to Caltrans District 7, which manages that highway.
Support for LAist comes from
Other roads listed as temporarily closed as of June 27:
- Santa Clara Divide Rd (3N17) from Bear Divide to Mill Creek
- Maxwell Truck Trail (7N08) from Lake Hughes Rd to 7N23
- 7N23 between Atmore and the Old Ridge Route (7N23 East is now open and Sawmill Campground is accessible)
- Knapp Ranch Rd (7N22) due to 7N23 being closed
- San Francisquito Motorway (5N17)
- Powerhouse Cut-off (5N16)
You can check the current status on the Forest Service site.
In addition, campground sites and trails remain closed down due to the Bobcat Fire in 2020 to allow for plants to recover, a process that forest service officials say can take three to five years.
Other advisories to look out for
The Angeles National Forest is alerting visitors to be wary of "high" water levels in rivers, creeks and waterfalls from the recent winter/spring storms and snow melt.
Support for LAist comes from
And with this hot weather, fire danger is high right now.
“Despite more rain this year, followed by a fairly green spring in the mountains, forest grasses and brush are beginning to dry out and are becoming more flammable," said Robert Garcia, Angeles National Forest Fire Chief, in a statement.
A couple of tips for fire safety include: don't park on dry grass. Making sure your fire is dead before going to sleep. Before you go, be sure to check out all the advice and tips.
Park rangers are also warning hikers to be careful at high elevations as there's still some snow at the mountain tops. If you're planning on hiking Mt. Baldy, or Ice Canyon, don't go alone and be prepared for winter-like conditions.
We go deeper into why it can be dangerous to hike in winter-like conditions in SoCal mountains plus tips on how to stay safe and gear up.
What's open
Spanish broom (L) and Chaparral Yucca, (Hesperoyucca whipplei) flowers bloom in the San Gabriel Mountains.
(
David McNew
/
Getty Images
)
In an aerial view, Mount Markham, Eaton Canyon and San Gabriel Peak (R), in the San Gabriel Mountains within the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument and Angeles National Forest, on June 23 above Pasadena.
(
David McNew
/
Getty Images
)
Support for LAist comes from
Here's the full list of what's open at the Angeles National Forest broken down by campground, picnic and day/weekend use areas and trails:
Campgrounds
- Appletree
- Bear
- Bear Canyon Trail (hike-in campground)
- Blue Ridge
- Buckhorn
- Cabin Flat Trail (hike-in campground)
- Coldbrook
- Crystal Lake Rec Area
- Devore Trail Camp (hike-in campground)
- Glenn Camp (hike-in or bike in 7 mules)
- Gould Mesa Trail (hike-in campground)
- Guffy
- Idlehour Trial Camp (hike-in campground)
- Jackson Flat
- Lake
- Los Alamos/ Pyramid Lake
- Lupine
- Manker Flat
- Messenger Flats
- Millard Trial Camp
- Monte Cristo
- Mountain Oak
- Mt. Lowe Trail (hike-in campground)
- Oak Flat
- Peavine
- Sawmill
- Southfork
- Sulphur Springs Trail Camp
- Sycamore Flat
- Table Mountain
- Valley Forge Trail
- West Fork Trail
Picnic/Day/Weekend Use Area
- Arch-Big Pines
- Elizabeth Lake
- Red Box
- Rowher Flats
- San Gabriel Canyon Off-Highway Vehicle Area
- Switzer
- Wildwood
Trails
- Baldy Bowl
- Bear Canyon Trail
- Blue Ridge Trail
- Mt. Wilson
- PCT Trailhead Pony Park
- Prairie Fork
For more information on reservations or restrictions, visit here.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Wasteland Weekend is all about souped-up rust buckets, spikey costumes and an ‘ideal apocalypse.’ -
The Shadow the Scientists initiative at UC Santa Cruz strives to demystify astronomical research. -
Some submissions to the Pasadena Humane Society were made by extremely talented artists. The others … tried their best. -
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning.
Best of LAist