Cleveland National Forest
A cool experience with 6 to 10 mile hikes
Trek into the wilderness and sleep in the backcountry
Pups are welcome at camp and on hiking trails
Trip · 3-day backpacking trip
For · Friends and intermediate backpackers
Vibe · Moderate and fun
Distance · 22 miles and 4,610 feet of elevation gain
Permits · Yes! Reserve a $6 permit to hike Cedar Creek Falls, buy an Adventure Pass for parking, an online campfire permit, and apply for a free dispersed camping permit from Descanso Ranger District.
Drive · 1.5 hours from San Diego and 2.5 hours from LA
Ideal dates · November to April (before it gets too hot!)
Pets · Welcome on trails and campgrounds!
Cleveland National Forest (CNF) is a 460,000-acre haven for 22 endangered species and wildlife. It has four wilderness areas: Agua Tibia, Pine Creek, Hauser, and San Mateo Canyon Wilderness, and includes a section of the Pacific Crest Trail. Laguna Mountain Recreation Area, Sunrise Scenic Byway, and Palomar Mountain and Observatory are just a few highlights. More than anything, it's another stunning and serene place to listen to your heart and sleep underneath the stars.
Official National Forest Website
Official Cedar Creek Falls Trail Information
Official Dispersed Camping Information
Main image credit: Hotels.com
You can camp for free in CNF's backcountry, but there are a few rules:
The trek from Cedar Creek Falls to Three Sisters Falls is an out-and-back trail. It's 10.5 miles one-way with 2,305 feet of elevation gain, but you can customize the hike however you'd like. We suggest spending the first night around the 6-mile mark, and then camping the second night near Three Sisters Falls, but that would require hiking 10.5 miles back on the third day. Be weary that water levels can be low or totally dry during the summer months so plan a winter or spring visit, and fill up your water bottles whenever you have a chance.
CNF was created in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt and named after former president Grover Cleveland.
For millennia, only desert and coastal tribes, like the Kumeyaay, Luiseños, Cahuilla and Cupeño, knew about the lands within CNF.
CNF is the southern-most national forest in California
This was GCI's first rocker and it remains their most popular. It's easy to open and close, and comes with a handle to carry around.
Shared Gear
A dreamy, colorful sweater to sport around camp and on chillier day hikes.
Clothes
Light as a feather and versatile enough to use for running, camping, and other nighttime activities.
Essential Items
Imagine a sleeping pad, bag, and blanket all in one. It takes some getting used to, but people love it.
Essential Items
It's not the lightest cot available, but it's comfortable, easy to set up, and break down.
Essential Items
Sturdy, reliable, well-designed, and more expensive than most camp chairs, but it'll last for awhile.
Shared Gear
They're expensive, but you can lean on these bad boys for river crossings and navigating all kinds of terrain.
Essential Items
This mineral-based sunscreen is good for the envrionment and your skin. It's water resistant too.
Personal Stuff
When a campground is short of sinks, bring your own. Clean your dirty dishes in this expandable bin.
Kitchen
This backpacking stove weighs a couple of ounces and has a built-in igniter. It stands out in windy weather.
Kitchen
Camp underneath the stars and watch glorious sunrises in Joshua Tree National Park, the second largest national park in California.
