With dense woods, scenic overlooks, and adventurous hiking trails, the city of Los Angeles is surrounded by natural beauty. For locals and tourists who are looking for a peaceful outdoor retreat a few hours away from the busy city area, we bring you a list of the best forests to explore near L.A. Here’s a list of the favorite spots:
Angeles National Forest
Located about 50-miles northeast from L.A., the sprawling Angeles National Forest (part of the U.S. National Forest system) contains over 700,000-acres of protected woods that are tucked into the San Gabriel and Sierra Pelona Mountains. There are plenty of options for camping here, with local favorites including Buckthorn Campground, Horse Flats Campground, and Crystal Lake Campground, and are great areas for trailheads, picnics, and campfires. Hiking in the Angeles Forest contains many lovely day hikes, such as the Burkhardt Trail up to Cooper Canyon Falls and the famous Pacific Crest Trail. And with bouldering activities, swimming holes, horseback riding opportunities and more, the Angeles Forest is an excellent place for outdoor entertainment.
San Bernardino Forest
The beautiful San Bernardino Forest is to the west of the Angeles National Forest and is a slightly larger park. Coming in at over 800,000-acres within the San Bernardino, San Jacinto, and Santa Rosa Mountains, San Bernardino boasts plenty of wilderness fun for the whole family to enjoy. Waterfall enthusiasts will love the Big Falls and Bonita Falls, the tallest waterfalls in southern California. And for those who are looking to swim, you can also take a dip in the Deep Creek Hot Springs, a unique, clothing optional spot accessed by a hike along the Freedom Trail.
San Bernardino is also home to many scenic campsites and includes Boulder Basin Campground at 7,700-feet, which has great views and giant boulders for campers who are lucky enough to score a site at the top of the campsite loop. A short hike away from the campground leads to the nearby Black Mountain Fire Lookout, which gives a 360-degree vantage point over the stunning mountain range. And for campers who prefer lakeside access, the Serrano Campground near Big Bear Lake is an ideal spot for families and visitors looking for fishing, swimming, and easy day hikes.
Los Padres National Forest
At a whopping 2,000,000-acres, the Los Padres National Forest is the largest of the bunch and runs along the Pacific coast northeast of L.A. all the way from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo. The coastal views and gorgeous plant life are major draws to this enormous forest and include the popular Kirk Creek Campground, which is nestled on a high bluff above the ocean for fantastic sea views. For those looking to explore the incredible range of plants and wildlife in the forest, the Wheeler Gorge Nature Trail near Wheeler Gorge Campground is a great choice for an adventure through different forest zones. And to wind down after a long week in the city, the Big Caliente Hot Springs is a beloved dipping spot for relaxing and letting loose in this scenic national forest.