Labor Day Holiday and Fall Updates for Visitors
“Know Before You Go” on a visit to the Angeles National Forest, which includes the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, by planning ahead for a fun and safe visit. The holiday weekend will bring more crowds, campsites will be in hot demand, and parking will be very limited. Please help care for the forest—as Woodsy Owl says, “Lend a Hand, Care for the Land,” Please #RecreateResponsibly.
Know Before You Go!
As always, plan ahead before visiting the Angeles National Forest!
- Find out what you need to “Know Before You Go” by visiting the Angeles National Forest website or by calling or stopping by one of our offices or visitor centers.
- Navigate this map to find trails, campgrounds, and many other recreation opportunities offered.
- Individual campsites managed by the USDA Forest Service in the Angeles National Forest are first-come, first-served. Ask about lesser-known campsites for additional options.
- Several group campgrounds managed by the USDA Forest Service can be reserved in advance for 12-80 people per site.
- Reservations can be made for individual campsites managed by concessioners in Wrightwood (Mountain High) and Pyramid Lake (Rocky Mountain Recreation), if available.
- Check in advance to see if any main roads are closed that might impede your travel through the forest. Most major roads in the Angeles National Forest are not managed by the Forest Service, but instead by Caltrans, Los Angeles County Public Works, and San Bernardino County Public Works. For example, as per Los Angeles County Public Works, Glendora Ridge Road and Glendora Mountain Road will be closed from Thursday, Aug. 29 – Tuesday, Sept. 3.
- Visit the forest’s safety page to learn about heat safety, tick prevention, hiking safety, and much more.
- Know fire restrictions—it can mean the difference between S’mores and cold foods only. Restrictions can change at any time without notice. Under current HIGH fire restrictions in place for the Labor Day holiday weekend:
- Visitors are allowed to use wood or charcoal only in USDA Forest Service-provided grills in developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas. Buy your wood locally to avoid bringing in unwanted bugs that can kill forest trees.
- Visitors may only bring gas grills (-no charcoal grills) and use them in developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas if all burnable material is removed five feet from the base of the grill.
- Only portable lanterns or stoves (commonly referred to as “backpacker stoves”) using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed to be used outside of developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas.
- Users must possess a valid California Campfire Permit for campfires (where allowed) and even for use of a portable lantern or stove (commonly known as a backpacker stove”). In addition, users must be in compliance with permit conditions. Get your campfire permit online before you go.
- Save a life by not blocking roadways! This will allow emergency vehicles to pass through the area in case of medical emergencies or wildfires. The life you save could be your own or the life of someone you love.
Lend a Hand, Care for the Land!
- Please bring trash bags with you to the forest.
- Do not add additional trash to already full cans or dumpsters. Staff can get injured moving them.
- Don’t leave trash outside dumpsters. Wildlife can get sick or die from trash.
- Expect trash cans/dumpsters in the forest will fill up.
- Be prepared to take your trash home with you, if trash bins/dumpsters are full.
- Do not block roadways, trash bins/dumpsters, trailheads, or restroom facilities.
- Be bear aware for your safety and the safety of our bears!
It’s up to all of us to care for our public lands!
EVENT – Sunday, Sept. 1 – Chilao Visitor Center
Join volunteers at the Chilao Visitor Center for a nature talk or geology talk on Sunday, Sept. 1, throughout the day from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Chilao Visitor Center
Angeles Crest Highway (Hwy 2)
La Canada, CA 91011
(626) 796-5541
Be sure to enter the visitor center from the back, as the front boardwalk needs repairs due to storm damage.
Public Comment Opportunity: Proposed Changes to Camping Fees in a Few Locations
The Angeles National Forest is proposing to charge new and increased fees at 11 developed campgrounds: Oak Flat, Sycamore Flat, South Fork, Monte Cristo, Manker Flat, Lightning Point Group Campgrounds, Horse Flats, Crystal Lake, Coldbrook, Chilao, and Buckhorn.
The public is invited to comment on the proposal. Please send comments no later than close-of-business on September 3, 2024, to Angeles National Forest, ATTN: Jeremey Sugden, 701 N. Santa Anita Ave., Arcadia, CA 91006, or jeremey.sugden@usda.gov. Comments can also be submitted to an online map. For more information on the proposed project, visit our website, or contact Jeremey at (626) 574-5274.
Were You Evacuated from the East Fork of the San Gabriel River in Mid-July (Fork Fire)?
if you were evacuated from the East Fork of the San Gabriel River in mid-July due to the Fork Fire, please come back as soon as possible to remove any items you may have left behind. The Angeles National Forest has not disturbed or inventoried belongings. Anything remaining in the area on September 2, 2024, will be considered unclaimed property and removed as trash.
Link to news release: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/angeles/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1198256
