Santa Clara/Mojave Rivers Ranger District

Description:

• Recreation areas on the District include Pyramid Lake and portions of Castaic Lake (on the State Water Project), Rowher Flat OHV Area and one shooting range. Approximately 3,000 acres of the Little Rock Reservoir Recreation Area, which formerly offered picnicking, camping and fishing opportunities, is now closed to all use until further notice, to protect the endangered southwestern Arroyo toad while additional species studies are being conducted. The District also has 13 organization camps, 160 recreation residences, and two ski areas under special use permit.

  The lakes on the Santa Clara / Mojave Rivers Ranger District include Bouquet Reservoir, Castaic Lake, Elizabeth Lake, Jackson Lake, and Pyramid Lake. Amenities and opportunities vary from trout fishing and non-power boating, to jet skiing and beach bathing.

  Rowher Flat is open to motorcycles, ATVs and four-wheel drive vehicles. A handout map of trails within the Rowher Flat area is available from the District Office.

  A Place to Shoot is a target practice site on the Forest operated by a concessionaire. There is family fun for everyone and Fridays are Senior Day. The location is 11 miles north of Saugus. The phone number is provided in the Contact Information of this web page. A link is also provided.

  Visitor activities include such favorites as wildflower walks, wildlife watching, and bird observation. There is a very nice wildlife-viewing platform located at the Soledad Campground. The viewing platform, and nearby restroom, is wheelchair accessible. The viewing platform provides a "bird's eye view" into the canopy of the riparian (streamside) forest of the upper Santa Clara River. During the spring, many migratory birds may be seen in and around the trees near the platform. There are informative displays also at the viewing area. In conjunction with the Pamona Valley Chapter, Audubon Society, Grassy Hollow Visitor Center has a wild viewing area located on the south deck of the Center overlooking numerous and varied bird feeders and a small water source. Local high country birds and small mammals (squirrels and chipmunks) can be enjoyed from this physically challenged accessible location. There are benches nearby and on weekends, when the Visitor Center is open, a "bird cart" is available which contains binoculars and notebook of local birds with space for recording sightings.

  Many of the recreations available on the Santa Clara / Mojave Rivers Ranger District are outlined in the Forest's monthly newsletter. This includes information pertaining to entrance passes, closures, water availability, high water areas, and much more. Call the Ranger District for a copy - see Contact Information for phone number.

  The Santa Clara / Mojave Rivers Ranger District is a place where you can hike, camp, mountain bike, fish, swim, target shoot, go off-roading, or just enjoy the beautiful scenery.

  Forest visitors on the San Bernardino, Cleveland, Angeles and Los Padres National Forests of Southern California are required to purchase an Adventure Pass and display it on their vehicle when parked in the Forest. The cost is $5 per day or $30 per year and can be purchased in any Forest Service office or over 350 businesses throughout Southern California.

  The Santa Clara / Mojave Rivers Ranger District runs from Ventura County to the San Bernardino County line, and takes in the northern 60% of the Forest. The District surrounds the city of Santa Clarita and the communities of Green Valley, Lake Hughes and Wrightwood. It lies adjacent to the city of Palmdale and the communities of Little Rock and Pearblossom.