Cleveland National Forest

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. Lobo responded by sending $12.50 to President Lyndon B. Johnson for of Cleveland National Forest (at 50 cents per acre), and set up a camp at the site (the Upper San Juan Campground). 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. ==Districts==

• Trabuco Ranger District – the northernmost area • Consists of most of the Santa Ana Mountains and is bisected by the Ortega Highway, which runs from San Juan Capistrano to Lake Elsinore. Its northern border is Corona. • Palomar Ranger District – near Escondido and Ramona • Includes the "Highway to the Stars" from State Route 76 to the top of Palomar Mountain. • Descanso Ranger District – east of Alpine • Includes Sunrise Highway, a National Scenic Byway. ==Use restrictions==

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. Also updated on Cleveland National Forest's official site (under ‘Current Conditions’) are road, campground, picnic area, and trail closures. "Law Enforcement Activities" is a common reason given for closures in the southern portion of the Forest. These closures are implemented to limit back road access, with the goal of circumnavigating US Border Patrol checkpoints. Bear Valley Road, coming up from Buckman Springs, Kitchen Creek Road and Thing Valley Road, are among routes that are routinely restricted. Elevated fire restrictions were announced in August 2020. ==Activities==

Popular activities include picnic areas, bird- and wildlife-watching, botanical tours, hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, trail-running, mountain biking, camping or driving on the many mountain roads. The Forest also includes Corral Canyon (not to be confused with the area of the same name in Malibu) and Wildomar Off-Highway Vehicle Areas. In addition to campers, hikers and wildlife advocates, forest rangers are also available to assist and accommodate the needs of local telecommunications and utilities companies, horseback riders, seasonal hunters, off-road vehicle enthusiasts, local farmers/ranchers, residents, neighbors and visitors alike. Camping • Campgrounds – Cleveland National Forest has campgrounds available at the Descanso, Palomar, and Trabuco Ranger District. Sites normally serve 6-8 persons and 2 vehicles. • Group camping – Group campgrounds are available. • Remote camping – Visitor's permits are required. Observatories • Mount Laguna Observatory Fire lookout towers There are currently two operational fire lookout towers in Cleveland National Forest. • High Point Lookout, Cleveland National Forest, Palomar Mountain • Los Pinos Lookout, Cleveland National Forest, near Lake Morena • Boucher Hill Lookout: While this fire lookout tower is also on Palomar Mountain, it actually sits inside the Palomar Mountain State Park and not Cleveland National Forest. It is an operational tower and works in conjunction with the USFS but is owned by the State of California and is an historic building. ==Wilderness areas==

There are 4 official wilderness areas in Cleveland National Forest that are part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. One of them extends into land that is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. • Agua Tibia Wilderness (partly BLM) • Hauser Wilderness • Pine Creek Wilderness • San Mateo Canyon Wilderness ==Flora and fauna==

Cleveland National Forest is home to many wildlife species such as mountain lion, bobcat, mule deer, coyote, gray fox, ringtail cat, long-tailed weasel, opossum, black-tailed jackrabbits, desert cottontails, California ground squirrel, and many other small species. A wildlife corridor is being created between Cleveland National Forest and Orange County's wild coastal terrains to ensure that animals can retreat fire safely if needed. ==See also==