Cleveland National Forest

The Cleveland National Forest is a U.S. national forest in Southern California, encompassing 460,000 acres of inland montane regions. It is approximately 60 miles from the Pacific Ocean, within the counties of San Diego, Riverside, and Orange. The landscape varies, with mostly chaparral canyons, arroyos, and high desert, but dotted with meadows and oak and conifer forests. The forest offers a wide variety of recreational activities, including camping, hunting, mountain biking, hiking, ATV riding, and target shooting. The Cleveland National Forest is also home to a rich history, with many trails following the traditional routes of the indigenous Kumeyaay, Payómkawichum, Cahuilla, and Cupeño peoples. The forest is administered by the U.S. Forest Service and is locally overseen by the Descanso, Palomar, and Trabuco Ranger Districts