Effective January 23, 2026, the Angeles National Forest fire danger level and associated restrictions are moving to MODERATE. Visitors to the forest, including recreational cabin owners and concessionaires, are advised of the following updates:
Campfires are allowed only at developed campgrounds in U.S. Forest Service-provided campfire rings and Klamath stoves. Klamath stoves look like wood-burning fireplaces that can be used for cooked or to generate warmth.
Wood or charcoal BBQ use is allowed at developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas in U.S. Forest Service-provided grills only.
Visitors may bring and use gas grills (no charcoal grills) in developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas provided all combustible material is removed five feet from the base of the grill.
Only portable lanterns or stoves (commonly referred to as “backpacker stoves”) using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel are allowed to be used outside of developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas. Users must possess a valid California Campfire Permit and be in compliance with permit conditions. Get your campfire permit online.
As of October 16, 2025, Fire Danger Downgrade to ‘Very High’ at the Angeles National Forest.
What does this mean to you?
Campfires are only allowed at developed campgrounds in USDA Forest Service-provided campfire rings and Klamath stoves. Klamath stoves look like wood-burning fireplaces that can be used for cooking or to generate warmth. Campfires require a valid California Campfire Permit. Get your campfire permit online.
Wood or charcoal BBQ use is allowed only in USDA Forest Service-provided grills in developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas.
Visitors may bring gas grills (-no charcoal grills) for use only in developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas. All combustible (burnable) material must be removed five feet from the base of the grill.
Only portable lanterns or stoves (commonly referred to as “backpacker stoves”) using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel may be used outside of developed campgrounds, picnic sites, and day-use areas.
Users of portable lanterns and stoves (backpacker stoves) must possess a valid California Campfire Permit and be in compliance with permit conditions. Get a campfire permit online.
Shooting of firearms or air guns (e.g., BB guns, pellet guns) is only allowed in designated shooting areas, except by hunters during legal hunting seasons. In addition, shooting of tracer, armor piercing, steel core, or Teflon ammunition is not allowed.
Welding, grinding, cutting, and the use of explosives is only allowed with a proper permit.
A violation of the law can result in a $5,000 fine and/or six months in jail. Anyone causing a wildfire is liable for all costs of suppressing the fire.
The Bridge Fire Area Closure (Forest Order No. 05-01-25-12) that was in effect from June 5, 2025 through May 22, 2026 has been terminated starting June 20, 2025.
All trails are now open – please use caution and “hike at your own risk”, especially in burn areas.
Hwy 2 still remains closed at Big Pines.
Highway 2 is now open to La Canada to Vincent Gap.
As of March 13, 2025, Angeles National Forest Fire Danger is downgraded to “Very High”.
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), and to provide for public safety and protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. This Order is effective from March 14, 2025, through March 1, 2026.
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), and to provide for public safety and protect natural resources, the following acts are prohibited within the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument. This Order is effective from March 14, 2025, through March 1, 2026.
Building, maintaining, attending, or using a wood or charcoal fire outside of a developed recreation site. 36 C.F.R. §261.52(a).
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is cleared of all flammable material. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(d).
Discharging a firearm, air rifle, or gas gun, except in the authorized public shooting ranges listed in Exhibit A. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(m).
For more information, please visit the ANF website.
The Bridge Fire closures are still in effect, meaning that the majority of the trails in the Big Pines area are closed.
For the latest information regarding this Forest Service closure, please click here.
Other local areas that offer hiking:
(All mileage from Big Pines Visitor Center)
Devil’s Punchbowl Natural Area and Nature Center
A geological wonder where two faults collide encompassing 1,310 acres.
21 miles
28000 Devils Punchbowl Rd, Valeyermo, CA
7.5 mile out and back moderate trail to Devil’s Chair, 1,463 ft elevation gain. Other trails available.
Day Use.
Saddleback Butte State Park
30 miles
17102 E Ave J, Lancaster, CA
3.8 mile out and back moderate trail. 1,010 ft elevation gain.
4.8 mile out and back difficult trail. 1,010 ft elevation gain.
Day use.
Parking $60.
Mormon Rocks
16 miles
7198 Highway 138, Phelan, CA
Sandstone formation along fault line
Rock climbing
1.0 mile easy loop trail; 137 ft elevation gain.
Parking: Adventure pass required.
The entire Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountain National Monument are temporarily closed for public safety and the protection of natural resources through Friday, January 31, 2025, at 12:00 midnight. This closure is tied to critical fire danger. During this time, the following acts are prohibited within the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument:
1. Going into or being upon the Angeles National Forest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e).
2. Being on any National Forest System Road within the Angeles National Forest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
3. Being on any National Forest System Trail within the Angeles National Forest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).
For more information, please visit the ANF website.
The entire Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountain National Monument are temporarily closed for public safety and the protection of natural resources through Friday, January 24, 2025, at 12:00 midnight. This closure is tied to critical fire danger. During this time, the following acts are prohibited within the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument:
1. Going into or being upon the Angeles National Forest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e).
2. Being on any National Forest System Road within the Angeles National Forest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
3. Being on any National Forest System Trail within the Angeles National Forest. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).
For more information, please visit the ANF website.
Big Pines Visitor Centeris currently open! Beginning October 18, the visitor center will re-open Saturdays, Sundays, and some holidays from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Come in to see our displays – including taxidermied bear, mountain lion, and other animals and items from our area, and get information regarding hiking, camping, and the forest. It’s free and the volunteers are eager to help you!
There are limited trails & amenities open in the Big Pines Area.
Vincent Gap parking lot, Inspiration Point Vista, Grassy Hollow, Blue Ridge Road, Blue Ridge Campground, Guffy Campground, and Lupine Campground remain closed due to the Bridge Fire Closure
CLOSED NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM TRAILS
BLUE RIDGE
JACKSON FLAT GEOLOGICAL
PCT GRASSY HOLLOW
PCT WRIGHT MT TO INSPIRATION P
SOUTH HAWKINS TRAIL
BALDY BOWL TRAIL
DEVILS BACKBONE TRAIL
MT. BALDY TRAIL
BEAR CANYON LOOP TRAIL
EAGLE MINE TRAIL
GOLD DOLLAR TRAIL
EAST FORK TRAIL
HEATON FLATS TRAIL
ALLISON MINE TRAIL
JACKSON LAKE
HAWKINS RIDGE TRAIL
ACORN
NORTH DEVILS BACKBONE TRAIL
MINE GULCH
PRAIRIE FORK
Weather: Fall here. Days are cool/warm and nights are getting cold. Dress in layers. Wear hats and sunscreen. Bring and drink LOTS of water.
Snakes: Rattlesnakes are out. Stay on trails, stay out of tall grass, and always wear closed-toe shoes.
Road conditions and status: visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/angeles – Alerts & Warnings Bridge Fire Area Closure for forest road closures; contact CalTrans at 800-427-7623 or their website for the latest on State Route 2, and check LA County’s Road Conditions website for the latest on N-4, aka Big Pines Hwy. Always watch for rock and debris.
Parking: park legally! – follow posted signage; do not park car over foglines/infringing on roadways.
Camping: As of 9/21/24 All USFS-managed campsites are currently closed. USFS-managed: Blue Ridge, Guffy, and Lupine Campgrounds (first come, first served requiring the Adventure Pass or an Interagency Federal Pass) are closed due to the Bridge Fire.
MtHigh.com is the concessionaire managing all other campsites, picnic areas, and parking lots in the Big Pines Area and have their own fee/pass program. (Exception: an Adventure Pass is required for parking at the Blue Ridge Trailhead parking lot.)
Trash: When there are no trash cans or they are full, please take your trash home with you!
Fire Restrictions: Check ANF website for current fire level status – including campfire prohibitions. Campfire permits can be acquired any time on line or at the Big Pines Visitor Center on Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Clarification: the Grassy Hollow Visitor Center building had reopened as part of the Big Pines concessionaire-managed area. Sad to report, the Grassy Hollow Visitor Center burned down in the fire. (Remember: the Volunteers and their displays – including the bear and mountain lion – moved from the Grassy Hollow Visitor Center to the Big Pines Visitor Center a few years ago. BPVC survived the fire.)
As you discover other areas of the ANF, please be careful and Thank you for protecting our forest.
Good news: although the Bridge Fire tragically burned through our area, Task Force 3 from AZ and ANF Patrol 38 and 35 were able to protect/save our building.
Big Pines Visitor Center is now open (as of 10/18/2024)
Forest Closure – As of October 17, 2024, the ANF has issued a new Bridge Fire Area Closure Order covering National Forest System roads, trails and other facilities impacted by the Bridge Fire. Many of these areas will be closed for public safety and to facilitate recovery of the natural resources and landscape affected by this wildfire. For specifics, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/angeles – Alerts & Warnings Bridge Fire Area Closure
Located in a historical stonework building, the visitor center is located at the intersection of Hwy 2 and N-4, four miles west of the town of Wrightwood.
Staffing the visitor center on Saturdays, Sundays, and some holidays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., VANF members are here to help with hiking, camping, and other suggestions; Adventure Passes are for sale.
Couched within this 1920’s facility, are a selection of great interpretive items – including a taxidermied mountain lion and bear.
