Chantry Flat, Protected recreation area in the Angeles National Forest, California, United States

Chantry Flat is a day-use recreation area in Big Santa Anita Canyon, about three miles into the Angeles National Forest above Arcadia and Sierra Madre. Its picnic grounds, known locally as The Picnic Grove, hold 35 tables with charcoal barbecues, and two flush-toilet restrooms stand near a roofed information kiosk. The flat is the trailhead for the Gabrielino Trail and the Sturtevant Falls route.

The site was developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, which built the early camp structures and infrastructure. The Forest Service later turned it into an official recreation area, opening it to the public in 1958.

Chantry Flat serves as a starting point for day trips into the mountains, drawing families, hikers, and photographers on weekends. The shaded picnic area near the entrance is often busy by mid-morning, with groups setting up before heading out on the trails.

Parking requires an Adventure Pass issued by the Forest Service, so it is best to get one before arriving. On weekends the lot fills up early in the morning, and arriving at or before dawn gives you a better chance of finding a spot.

The area is home to one of the last working hand-crank telephone systems in the country, connecting remote cabins and ranger stations along the trails. The system dates back decades and still functions, making it a rare piece of living communication history.