Cleveland National Forest

Cleveland National Forest
IUCN category VI (protected area with sustainable use of natural resources)
Cleveland National Forest from Laguna Mountain
Map of the United States
Location	San Diego / Riverside / Orange counties, California, United States
Nearest city	Ramona, California
Coordinates	33°18′N 116°48′W / 33.3°N 116.8°W / 33.3; -116.8Coordinates: 33°18′N 116°48′W / 33.3°N 116.8°W / 33.3; -116.8
Area	720 sq mi (1,900 km2)
Governing body	U.S. Forest Service
Website	Cleveland National Forest

Cleveland National Forest encompasses 460,000 acres (720 sq mi (1,900 km²)), mostly of chaparral, with a few riparian areas. A warm dry mediterranean climate prevails over the Forest. It is the southernmost National forest of California. It is administered by the United States Forest Service, a government agency within the United States Department of Agriculture. It is divided into the Descanso, Palomar and Trabuco Ranger Districts and is located in the counties of San Diego, Riverside, and Orange.

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. It is headquartered in San Diego. The Cleveland National Forest was the site of both of the largest wildfires in California history, the 2003 Cedar Fire, and the Santiago Canyon Fire of 1889. Both fires widely consumed many sections of the area, and endangered many animal species as well.

A National Forest Adventure Pass is required for parking in designated areas of the Cleveland National Forest as well as other National Forests in Southern California, and may be obtained from local merchants, visitor centers, or online.

Available on the Cleveland National Forest Official Site under Current Conditions are road, campground, picnic area, and trail closures.