The Cleveland National Forest is comprised of 3 segments administered as ranger districts. The Forest extends from within 5 miles of the border with Mexico northward approximately 130 miles to Orange and Riverside counties.

High flowery meadows encircled by dense, majestic stands of cedar, fir, live oaks, and century-old Jeffrey Pine are green in summer, painted in a thousand colors in the fall, and pure white in winter. Cleveland National Forest is home to mountain lions, deer, and many other species, showing the threatened ecological vigor of Southern California's last wilderness.

Most of the forest vegetation is chaparral, predominantly coastal sage, chamise, manzanita, and ceanothus. There are magnificent oaks in meadows and along the streams, and Jeffrey and Coulter pine forests at the higher elevations. The Cleveland National Forest's ecosystems are unique, irreplaceable wildlife habitats. The land is a haven for wildlife and a place where biodiversity is preserved. Threatened and endangered plants and animals are protected here, and the land is managed to preserve and protect ecosystems in such a way that habitat necessary for the health and survival of all native species exists.

• Descanso Ranger District -
• Palomar Ranger District -
• Trabuco Ranger District -

• Hike the Inaja Memorial National Recreational Trail: This is a popular loop trail with many natural features you will see in the local area. The Inaja Memorial was dedicated on November 25, 1957, one year after the 43,611 acres Inaja Forest Fire of 1956.