Angeles National Forest · California

West Fork National Recreation

7.1 mi of trail, end to end · West Fork Road / Bikeway / Day-Use: 7 mi one way in the Service's write-up · asphalt surface · trail No. 232N25.1 · trail class 5 · typical grade 0-5% · tread >120 inches wide · hiking, bike

Campgrounds

Along the way Glenn Camp Campground (Hike or bike in 7 miles)

Trailhead West Fork Road / Bikeway / Day-Use Drive there

West Fork Road / Bikeway / Day-Use 7 mi one way · the Forest Service's write-up

$5/vehicle/day

Distance: 7 miles (one-way)

Difficulty: Easy

Total Climbing: Minimal

What to Expect

For those seeking an easy stroll down a canopied paved trail with relaxing water sounds, then the West Fork is for you! This 7-mile hike can be accessed from Hwy. 39 and is located 14 miles above the city of Azusa, CA. This nationally-designated bikeway is very popular with bicyclists who enjoy flat surface. Follow the trail towards Glenn Campground (campground closed) and eventually Cogswell Dam.

During a hot summer day, hikers can cool off by dipping into the West Fork of the San Gabriel River under shade from sycamore, white alder, and willow trees.

It's important to note, however, this is one of the forest's more popular hikes and the nearby West Fork parking lot only accommodates 45 vehicles (make sure to display an Adventure Pass) so come very early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the crowds.

This hike on fs.usda.gov

Every trail in Angeles National Forest

All 205 trails in Angeles National ForestFind a trailForest on fs.usda.gov

About this trail's facts

The lines are the US Forest Service's National Forest System trails layer (public domain), read 2026-10-16 and simplified for the map; the length is the line's, end to end, and the class, surface, grade and tread width are the forest's own entries where it publishes them - a forest that publishes the centreline alone has none. The trailheads and the points along the way are the Service's recreation points, and the write-ups its own recarea text, unedited. Heights come from USGS 3DEP through Terrain Tiles on AWS (Mapzen/Tilezen), read along each line and rounded; a short trail on steep ground can be off by a few tens of feet. Closures change: check the forest's own site before you go.