Exploring California’s National Forests

A Backcountry Guide to the Golden State
Southern California

Most people don’t realize how much wild country rises just beyond the edge of Southern California’s cities.

Look up from the freeway and you’ll see it – mountains that hold far more than they appear to from a distance.

These landscapes are more than ridgelines and chaparral. They’re high mountain forests, alpine lakes, remote canyons, historic routes, and miles of trails and backroads that wind through some of the most overlooked terrain in the state.

The Angeles, San Bernardino, and Cleveland National Forests stretch across Southern California – from the San Gabriels above Los Angeles to the high country around Big Bear and the San Jacintos, down to the rugged backcountry of San Diego and Orange counties. Within a few hours’ drive, you can move from crowded urban corridors into quiet pine forests, desert overlooks, and remote campgrounds where the noise of the city disappears.

And all of it is yours – public land open to anyone willing to go a little farther, push the envelope, and see what’s waiting on the far side of the horizon.

This guide is built for hikers, campers, anglers, off-roaders, and anyone who’s ever passed a mountain road and wondered where it leads. It covers each of Southern California’s national forests in detail, with a clear, practical approach that helps you get out there and make the most of your time.

Inside, you’ll find the places worth seeking out and the information you need to reach them: wilderness areas, trails, scenic drives, forest roads, campgrounds, and the gateway towns that make exploring easier. Whether you’re planning a quick day trip or a longer escape into the backcountry, this guide is designed to get you off the pavement and into the landscape.

You’ll also find the details that matter when the road turns to dirt – maps, ranger contacts, permits, weather resources, and the kind of practical information that helps you plan with confidence.