Cleveland National Forest encompasses 460,000 acres (), mostly of chaparral, with a few riparian areas. A warm dry mediterranean climate prevails over the forest. It is the southernmost U.S. National Forest of California. It is administered by the U.S. Forest Service, a government agency within the United States Department of Agriculture. It is divided into the Descanso, Palomar and Trabuco Ranger Districts and is located in the counties of San Diego, Riverside, and Orange. History The Kumeyaay, Payómkawichum, Cahuilla, and Cupeño long inhabited various areas of the forest. They lived on various forms of food, including acorns and local wildlife. Many of the Cleveland National Forest's trails are built following the routes developed by these Indigenous peoples. Cleveland National Forest was created on July 1, 1908 with the consolidation of Trabuco Canyon National Reserve and San Jacinto National Reserve by President Theodore Roosevelt and named after former President Grover Cleveland. In 1964, a bid to reclaim 25 acres of the forest was made by Clarence H. Lobo. After California Mission Indians were offered $29.1 Million Dollars by the US Federal Government in 1964 "to settle tribal land claims" regarding 70 million acres of land, Lobo rejected this offer, since it valued an acre of native land at 47 cents and did not account for unratified treaties. Lobo responded by sending $12.50 to President Lyndon B. Johnson for 25 acres of the Cleveland National Forest (at 50 cents per acre), and set up a camp at the site (the Upper San Juan Campground). The Cleveland National Forest was the site of the 2003 Cedar Fire, which was the largest wildland fire in California history. It started in the forest when a hunter became lost and lit a fire to signal for help. The fire quickly spread to 62,000 acres. The Santiago Fire of 2007 burned 6,701 acres of the forest, while subsequent fires that year burned thousands of more acres. Districts Trabuco Ranger District – the northernmost area Consists of most of the Santa Ana Mountains and is bisected by the Ortega Highway, which runs from San Juan Capistrano to Lake Elsinore. Its northern border is Corona. Palomar Ranger District – near Escondido and Ramona Includes the "Highway to the Stars" from State Route 76 to the top of Palomar Mountain. Descanso Ranger District – east of Alpine Includes Sunrise Highway, a National Scenic Byway. Use restrictions A National Forest Adventure