Cleveland National Forest, National forest in San Diego County, United States.

Cleveland National Forest is a protected area in San Diego County covering around 460,000 acres of mountainous terrain with chaparral canyons, desert areas, meadows, oak woodlands, and conifer forests. The land spans three ranger districts with varied ecosystems that shift across short distances.

The forest was established on July 1, 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt, merging two earlier protected reserves into one. This combination created a larger, connected protected area for conservation purposes.

The Kumeyaay, Payómkawichum, Cahuilla, and Cupeño peoples originally lived on this land, leaving behind pathways that form much of today's trail network. Their long presence shaped how the terrain is traveled and understood by visitors today.

Visitors need a National Forest Adventure Pass for parking in designated areas, available at local merchants or visitor centers. Planning ahead to obtain this pass ensures smooth access to trailheads and recreation areas throughout the forest.

The 2003 Cedar Fire began when a lost hunter lit a signal fire; it burned 273,246 acres, destroyed 2,820 buildings and killed fifteen people, the largest wildland fire in California history at the time. The 2024 Airport Fire, started by accident during fire prevention work, burned 23,526 acres in the northern part of the forest.