Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest is open year-round for public recreation and is frequently used for camping, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
The forest is nearly 3,500 acres in southern Lake County, California, about 50 miles inland from the Pacific shoreline. CAL FIRE acquired the forest in 1949 after most of the merchantable timber had already been harvested. The forest is characterized by gently rolling terrain bordered by two mountain peaks, and geologically, it is complex, with various types of volcanic rock exposed.
In 2015, the Valley Fire burned through 99% of the forest, killing about 80% of mature trees and 95% of the understory regeneration. Reforestation efforts have included salvage logging operations and planting of over 700,000 tree seedlings of species such as Ponderosa Pine and Douglas Fir. The forest has a diverse range of vegetation, with manzanita being the most predominant at lower elevations and mixed conifer forest at upper elevations.
The forest is also home to hardwood species such as canyon live oak, black oak, dogwood, and madrone. Hunting is permitted under state game laws, and pets are welcome but must be leashed and controlled.