Trabuco Canyon : 4 Cleveland Forest Camping Areas to Close

Three campgrounds and a group camp in the Cleveland National Forest will close for the winter, beginning this Sunday, U.S. Forest Service officials said Thursday.

Two campgrounds will remain open on a first-come, first-served basis in the Trabuco Ranger District, located in chaparral-covered mountains between Orange and Riverside counties, Ranger Nancy Curriden said.

Low use and the high cost of maintenance prompted the annual winter closures, but it also gives “the Forest Service the opportunity to perform maintenance . . . and rehabilitation work,” said Bill Pidanick, public information officer for the Trabuco Ranger District.

Closing for the winter will be the El Cariso North, El Cariso South and Blue Jay campgrounds and the Falcon Group Camp, Curriden said. Upper San Juan and Tenaja campgrounds will remain open for a $5-per-site nightly fee.