Chilao Visitor Center: Gateway to the Angeles National Forest

The Chilao Visitor Center, located 27 miles north of La Cañada on Highway 2, sits at an elevation of 5,280 feet within the Charlton-Chilao Recreation Area. This center serves as a gateway to the Angeles National Forest, offering visitors a chance to learn about the area's natural and cultural history. The visitor center features over 20 indoor exhibits focusing on forest management, the history of the San Gabriel Mountains, local wildlife, and recreational activities. Nature trails near the building provide opportunities to experience the forest firsthand. These trails include the short paved Gabrieño Trail with exhibits about historic Native American use of the forest, the Creekside Trail, and a trail designed to help you gauge your hiking speed. The center is also known as an international bird-watching site. Historically, the area around Chilao was used as a lookout point by bandits, including Tiburcio Vasquez, who stole horses from the Los Angeles valleys. One of Vasquez's men, Jose Gonzales, reportedly killed a bear with a knife in the area, earning him the nickname "Chillia" or "Hot Stuff," which evolved into the name Chilao. The first Forest Service ranger station in the San Gabriel Mountains, the West Fork Ranger Station built in 1900, was originally located nearby and later moved to Chilao. Today, visitors can explore the surrounding area via numerous hiking trails, including the Silver Moccasin Trail and the Devil's Canyon Trail. The Chilao Picnic Area, adjacent to the visitor center, offers picnic sites for small and large groups. During the summer, the center hosts nature walks, children's activities, and evening programs. In winter, the area becomes a destination for cross-country skiing.