Chantry Flat (Big Santa Anita Canyon)
Autumn and winter access check — September 30, 2026
The Forest Service lists the picnic area as open, with day-use hours of 6am–8pm. The access road can close independently for safety. Check the road and your specific trail before departure; leave enough time to exit the canyon before 8pm.
Check the road before driving up. The Forest Service lists Chantry Flat Picnic Area as open on September 30, 2026, but says the road can close for safety even when the picnic area and nearby trails are open. Day-use hours are 6am–8pm; allow time to reach the bottom of the canyon before 8pm. Bring an Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/year) or an accepted Interagency pass.
The facts
- Trail served
- Sturtevant Falls, Sturtevant Trail & Loop, First Water, Gabrielino National Recreation Trail, Upper and Lower Winter Creek — all reported open. Mt. Wilson Trail is a separate Sierra Madre trailhead, not this one
- Cost / pass
- Adventure Pass $5/day or $30/year; Interagency passes accepted
- Lot size
- Upper and lower paved lots plus road spaces; no official capacity published
- When it fills
- No official fill time published; parking availability is not guaranteed.
- Overflow option
- Use signed legal spaces only. Confirm any private parking option with its operator.
- Tow / citation risk
- Follow posted restrictions; keep the road, gates and emergency access clear.
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Road to the lot
- Santa Anita Canyon Road from North Santa Anita Avenue in Arcadia; Forest Service directions describe a five-mile drive. Sierra Madre controls the gate; check current road access.
- Busy season
- Weather and road access vary; check conditions before an autumn or winter trip.
Getting there
End of Santa Anita Canyon Road, Arcadia, CA 91006
Get directions →Check three things before departure
Road: read the official Chantry Flat notice. Sierra Madre controls the gate, Los Angeles County maintains most of the road, and the Forest Service manages the upper section. A picnic-area “open” label does not guarantee you can drive there.
Trail: check Angeles National Forest alerts and your intended route. The Chantry page lists First Water, Sturtevant, Gabrielino, and Upper and Lower Winter Creek as open, but asks visitors to stay off Zion Trail while work remains. It also lists a closure on the Sierra Madre section of Mt. Wilson Trail below Upper Winter Creek. Do not infer access to adjoining trails from the picnic-area status.
Daylight and gate: published day-use hours are 6am–8pm. Shorter winter days require an earlier turnaround even if the gate remains open.
Passes, parking and facilities
An Adventure Pass or accepted Interagency pass is required. The Forest Service lists Adams Pack Station as a seller; confirm opening hours and stock before relying on an on-site purchase.
Use signed legal spaces and leave room for emergency access. The official page does not publish a lot capacity or guaranteed arrival time. It lists toilets and drinking fountains, but bring water in case a facility is unavailable.
If the road is shut or parking is full
Choose another destination only after checking its own road and trail notices. Do not block the gate or assume nearby residential streets provide authorized overflow. For advance questions, the Los Angeles Gateway District is (818) 899-1900; published office hours are weekdays, with a midday break and holiday closures.
Staying near the trailhead?
Compare nearby lodging after checking the access plan; mountain and park entrances can be much farther from a room than the map first suggests.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Chantry Flat open in 2026?
The Forest Service lists the picnic area as open when checked September 30, 2026. The road may close independently for safety, so check current road and trail notices before driving.
What time does the Chantry Flat gate close?
Published day-use hours are 6am–8pm. The Forest Service says to leave enough time to drive to the bottom of the canyon and exit before 8pm.
What time guarantees parking at Chantry Flat?
No arrival time guarantees parking, and the official page does not publish a lot capacity or fill time. Use signed legal spaces and have another plan if the road is closed or the lot is full.
Do you need an Adventure Pass at Chantry Flat?
Yes: $5 per vehicle per day or $30 annually. Accepted Interagency passes are an alternative. The Forest Service lists Adams Pack Station as a seller; confirm its hours and stock before relying on it.
Facts on this page last verified September 30, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.