Cleveland National Forest Praised for Variety
Cleveland National Forest in California is being highlighted for endless hiking, biking, and horseback trails positioned between San Diego and Joshua Tree. The forest offers diverse outdoor activities in a strategic location for Southern California adventurers. The recommendation came from Explore.com's social channels on March 3.
Encompassing 460,000 acres, the Cleveland National Forest is the southernmost national forest in California, spanning across San Diego, Riverside, and Orange counties. Its landscape is a diverse mix of chaparral, oak and conifer forests, and meadows, creating a variety of habitats for wildlife. The forest's warm, dry Mediterranean climate makes it accessible for year-round outdoor activities. Established on July 1, 1908, by President Theodore Roosevelt, the forest was named after former President Grover Cleveland. It was created by consolidating the Trabuco Canyon and San Jacinto National Reserves. Long before its official designation, the land was home to the Kumeyaay, Payómkawichum, Cahuilla, and Cupeño peoples, and many of the current trails follow their ancestral routes. The forest is a critical refuge for a wide array of wildlife, including mountain lions, bobcats, mule deer, and over 200 bird species. It is home to more than 1,750 plant species and provides a crucial habitat for over 25 threatened and endangered species, such as the arroyo toad and the Laguna Mountains skipper butterfly. A segment of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail, which stretches from Mexico to Canada, runs through the Cleveland National Forest. Popular destinations within the forest include the 80-foot Cedar Creek Falls and the Big Laguna Trail, known for its vibrant wildflower displays in the spring. The forest also offers designated off-highway vehicle areas like Corral Canyon and Wildomar. The U.S. Forest Service administers the area, which is divided into the Descanso, Palomar, and Trabuco Ranger Districts. The first ranger cabin, El Prado Cabin, was built in 1911 and still stands in the Laguna Mountain Recreation Area. Despite its natural beauty, the forest faces significant challenges, including the constant threat of wildfires. The 2003 Cedar Fire, which started within the forest, was one of the largest wildfires in California's history, burning over 273,000 acres. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect this vital Southern California ecosystem.
