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Cleveland National Forest
Cleveland National Forest is a U.S. national forest in Southern California that encompasses 460,000 acres/720 mi2 (1,900 km2) of inland montane regions. It is approximately 60 miles (97 km) from the Pacific Ocean, within the counties of San Diego, Riverside, and Orange. The landscape varies somewhat, with mostly chaparral canyons, arroyos and high desert, but dotted with meadows and oak and conifer forests. Near water sources, riparian environments and perennial aquatic plants attract native and migratory wildlife, such as at San Diego's man-made Lake Cuyamaca. A generally warm and dry, inland-Mediterranean climate prevails over the Forest, with the cooler months producing morning frost and snowfall (in the higher elevations). It is the southernmost U.S. National Forest of California. The area is administered by the U.S. Forest Service, a government agency within the United States Department of Agriculture, and is locally overseen by the Descanso, Palomar and Trabuco Ranger Districts.
The Kumeyaay, Payómkawichum, Cahuilla, and Cupeño indigenous peoples long inhabited various areas of the Forest. As with many tribes in California, acorns were an important part of their diet. Many of Cleveland National Forest's trails are built following their traditional routes.
Cleveland National Forest was created on July 1, 1908, with the consolidation of Trabuco Canyon National Reserve and San Jacinto National Reserve by President Theodore Roosevelt and named after former President Grover Cleveland.
In 1964, a bid to reclaim 25 acres (10 ha) of the Forest was made by Acjachemen leader Clarence H. Lobo. After California Mission Indians were offered $29.1 Million Dollars by the US Federal Government in 1964 "to settle tribal land claims" regarding 70 million acres (280,000 km2) of land, Lobo rejected this offer, since it valued an acre of native land at 47 cents and did not account for unratified treaties. Lobo responded by sending $12.50 to President Lyndon B. Johnson for 25 acres (10 ha) of Cleveland National Forest (at 50 cents per acre), and set up a camp at the site (the Upper San Juan Campground).
Cleveland National Forest was the site of the 2003 Cedar Fire, at its time it was the largest wildland fire in California history. Started when a lost hunter lit a fire to signal for help, the fire would go on to burn 273,246 acres, destroying 2,820, kill fourteen civilians and one firefighter, and injure an additional 113 people.
The Santiago Fire of 2007 burned 6,701 acres (2,712 ha) of the Forest, while subsequent fires that year burned thousands of acres more.
In 2024, the Airport Fire occurred in the northern part of the Forest, started by accident as a result of error during fire prevention measures. The fire burned 23,526 acres, with some injury and no deaths reported.
A National Forest Adventure Pass is required for parking in designated areas of Cleveland National Forest, as well as other National Forests in Southern California, and may be obtained from local merchants, visitor centers, or online.
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Cleveland National Forest
Cleveland National Forest is a U.S. national forest in Southern California that encompasses 460,000 acres/720 mi2 (1,900 km2) of inland montane regions. It is approximately 60 miles (97 km) from the Pacific Ocean, within the counties of San Diego, Riverside, and Orange. The landscape varies somewhat, with mostly chaparral canyons, arroyos and high desert, but dotted with meadows and oak and conifer forests. Near water sources, riparian environments and perennial aquatic plants attract native and migratory wildlife, such as at San Diego's man-made Lake Cuyamaca. A generally warm and dry, inland-Mediterranean climate prevails over the Forest, with the cooler months producing morning frost and snowfall (in the higher elevations). It is the southernmost U.S. National Forest of California. The area is administered by the U.S. Forest Service, a government agency within the United States Department of Agriculture, and is locally overseen by the Descanso, Palomar and Trabuco Ranger Districts.
The Kumeyaay, Payómkawichum, Cahuilla, and Cupeño indigenous peoples long inhabited various areas of the Forest. As with many tribes in California, acorns were an important part of their diet. Many of Cleveland National Forest's trails are built following their traditional routes.
Cleveland National Forest was created on July 1, 1908, with the consolidation of Trabuco Canyon National Reserve and San Jacinto National Reserve by President Theodore Roosevelt and named after former President Grover Cleveland.
In 1964, a bid to reclaim 25 acres (10 ha) of the Forest was made by Acjachemen leader Clarence H. Lobo. After California Mission Indians were offered $29.1 Million Dollars by the US Federal Government in 1964 "to settle tribal land claims" regarding 70 million acres (280,000 km2) of land, Lobo rejected this offer, since it valued an acre of native land at 47 cents and did not account for unratified treaties. Lobo responded by sending $12.50 to President Lyndon B. Johnson for 25 acres (10 ha) of Cleveland National Forest (at 50 cents per acre), and set up a camp at the site (the Upper San Juan Campground).
Cleveland National Forest was the site of the 2003 Cedar Fire, at its time it was the largest wildland fire in California history. Started when a lost hunter lit a fire to signal for help, the fire would go on to burn 273,246 acres, destroying 2,820, kill fourteen civilians and one firefighter, and injure an additional 113 people.
The Santiago Fire of 2007 burned 6,701 acres (2,712 ha) of the Forest, while subsequent fires that year burned thousands of acres more.
In 2024, the Airport Fire occurred in the northern part of the Forest, started by accident as a result of error during fire prevention measures. The fire burned 23,526 acres, with some injury and no deaths reported.
A National Forest Adventure Pass is required for parking in designated areas of Cleveland National Forest, as well as other National Forests in Southern California, and may be obtained from local merchants, visitor centers, or online.