Fee's and Permit

In most of the hiking locations on Brian & Ashley's Hiking blog there are fee's or permits required for parking. Most of the fees are very nominal, as hiking is a very affordable activity.

Cleveland National Forest (And other Local National Forests): To park in many areas of the Cleveland National Forest a Forest Adventure Pass is required. The Forest Adventure Pass is also good for the San Bernardino National Forest, the Angeles National Forest, and the Los Padres National Forest. For in formation about the Forest Adventure Pass click Here.

The link has information on where to buy them and on the types. There is an annual pass for 30 dollars and a day pass for 5 dollars. The link also has the free days listed when no permit is required. For backpacking an overnight free permit is required by the forest service. The other national forests in Southern California have different permit requirements for overnight backpacking, each hike write up will tell you if you need to have a permit.

National Forest Wilderness Areas: Many of our local National Forests have congressionally designated wilderness areas in them. Some of these wilderness areas require special free permits to hike in that area in addition to needing the Forest Adventure Pass. I have provided a list of the wilderness areas in the four national forests that are near Southern California and indicated whether a permit is required or not. For more information about our wilderness areas click Here.

Los Padres National Forest

1.  San Rafael Wilderness (LPNF): No Additional Permit Required.
2.  Ventana Wilderness (LPNF): No Additional Permit Required.
3. Garcia Wilderness (LPNF): No Additional Permit Required.
4. Santa Lucia Wilderness (LPNF): No Additional Permit Required.
5. Machesna Mountain Wilderness (LPNF): No Additional Permit Required.
6. Silver Peak Wilderness (LPNF): No Additional Permit Required.
7. Dick Smith Wilderness (LPNF): No Additional Permit Required.
8. Chumash Wilderness (LPNF): No Additional Permit Required.
9. Sespe Wilderness (LPNF): No Additional Permit Required.
10. Matilija Wilderness (LPNF): No Additional Permit Required.

San Bernardino National Forest

1. Big Horn Mountain Wilderness (SBNF): No Additional Permit Required.
2. San Gorgonio Wilderness (SBNF): Requires Additional Wilderness Permit.
3. San Jacinto Wilderness (SBNF): Requires Additional Wilderness Permit.
4. South Fork San Jacinto Wilderness (SBNF): Requires Additional Wilderness Permit.
5. Coucamonga Wilderness (SBNF): Requires Additional Wilderness Permit.
6. Cahuilla Mountain Wilderness (SBNF): Requires Additional Wilderness Permit.
7. Santa Rosa Wilderness (SBNF): No Additional Permit Required.

Angeles National Forest

1. Sheep Mountain Wilderness (ANF): Permit only for entry via East Fork Trailhead.
2. San Gabriel Wilderness (ANF): No Additional Permit Required.
3. Pleasant View Ridge Wilderness (ANF): Newly Designated Wilderness none at this time.
4. Magic Mountain Wilderness (ANF): Newly Designated Wilderness none at this time.

Cleveland National Forest

1. Agua Tibia Wilderness (CNF): No AdditionalPermit Required, need one for overnight.
2. San Mateo Canyon Wilderness (CNF): No Additional Permit Required, need one for overnight.
3. Hauser Wilderness (CNF): No Additional Permit Required, need one for overnight.
4. Pine Creek Wilderness (CNF): No Additional Permit Required, need one for overnight.
   

Orange County Wilderness Parks: Wilderness Parks Like Caspers Wilderness Park, Limestone/Whiting Ranch Wilderness Park, the Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, the Thomas F. Riley Wilderness Park, and the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park all have a current cost of 3 dollars for parking (Caspers, and potentially others, charges 5 dollars on weekends). Note that regional parks charge 5 dollars. There is an annual pass option available through the county. For a full list of fee's click Here. Camping is also available in several of the parks.

Crystal Cove State Park (Other State Parks): The cost to park at Crystal Cove State Park is 15 dollars. The cost for parking at the Chino Hills State Park is 4 dollars.  Most state parks have fees to enter and they vary by park. A link to the State Park Website Can be found Here