This was a great trail to hike. Parking was easily accessible. No pass was required to park…read more The weather was nice and there was a breeze when we went a couple weeks ago. We did nearly nine miles. The trail connects to different trails which is how we covered that distance. The views were great and my puppy enjoyed running parts of the trail with me. It's a definitely a place where you can bring a light lunch to picnic with. I would come again and do different parts of the trail.

Nice moderate hike right outside the village. Some more strenuous switchbacks at the start, and…read morethen turns into more of a gradual uphill the rest of the way. Downhill almost the whole way back except for a few small stretches. Intermittent sunny and shaded areas. Some viewpoints of the lake and mountains but no real showstopper. Not much in the way of interesting vegetation in August, but lots of chipmunks, squirrels, birds, and lizards. Clearly marked with official trail signs, spray paint, and neon ties.

This was approximately a 5 mile round trip hike (+0.5 miles if you're walking from the Big Bear…read moreDiscovery Center parking lot). I wouldn't say it's an easy hike, but more moderate/intermediate with slight incline. Just my personal opinion, I don't think you have to walk further up to Bertha Peak for "better" views. The views at the top of Cougar Crest Trail are already quite spectacular.

Cougar? My kind of trail. We brought our bikes and did a nice route on here. You can tell who are…read morethe novice bikers on the road. Trail isnt that hard and was a nice treat while in town.

We came back again with several friends and walked the trail. It was a sunny February day. Met…read morelots of folks walking their dogs. Someone warned us that there were three coyotes out and about, so we kept our little dog close. And sure enough, there they were, hanging out on a construction site right off the path but not aggressive, and didn't come near us. Overall, very nice walk. About 1.3 miles to the zoo and 1.3 miles back. Took us one hour total. Totally recommend!

Even 2 years later, the Rathbun Creek Trail is still just as great! I love the interesting signs…read morealong the way that help you learn more about the Rathbun Creek Trail! The trail has nice benches and picnic tables, which are perfect for relaxing and enjoying a nice meal in the forest. I also appreciate how they have trash cans near the pumice tables so that you can throw away your stuff and not litter! Overall, a great little trail in Big Bear that is perfect for some much needed relaxation!

I have walked and ridden this bike path hundreds of times. Fun fact: if you walk from Big Bear…read moreShores resort to Stanfield and back you will have logged approximately 800 steps! Whether you stroll this path or ride it, you will witness nature at its pinnacle. From the gorgeous lake, towering pines, colorful wildflowers and snowcapped mountains, the Good Lord did not skimp when it comes to eye candy. Just this morning I caught a glimpse of three coyotes frolicking in the lake. I saw ducks, rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels, and a variety of birds all enjoying the beautiful lake they call home. These peaceful surroundings beckon me every time I visit Big Bear. Be sure to visit this glorious path!

This is a nice path for novice riders, it is fairly flat however there are some side paths that…read morelead towards the lake that have mild hills. There are signs that say no motorized bikes but that's all I saw on a Saturday afternoon. I'm sure they want to keep it slow so it's safer for all. Since it was full of lots of part time riders and many walkers bike educate could be improved. Overall, it's a very easy path and kids will do just fine but I suggest helmets and bike signals should be reminded and discussed before any ride.

Boulder Bay Park is one of Big Bear Lake's most picturesque (and busy) spots, offering stunning…read moreviews of the lake, towering boulders, and plenty of open space for you and your dog to enjoy. Located on the western side of Big Bear Lake, this park is a popular destination for both locals and visitors, particularly those looking to enjoy a peaceful and leisurely walk with their pets, a picnic, or just some quiet time by the water. There is a free parking lot adjacent to the park, but it can fill up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. If the lot is full, there is additional street parking available nearby. The park is open year-round, but the best times to visit are during the spring, summer, and fall when the weather is mild, and the lake is at its most beautiful.

We visited Boulder Bay Park on a Sunday mid-morning, arriving just a few hours before the peak…read morelunch-hour rush. It's a gorgeous location, and arriving early definitely gave us a head start before the heavier crowds rolled in. The Setup & Vibe * Shade & Seating: There's a large shaded gazebo as well as smaller shaded patches scattered around the grassy area. We were able to lay out on the lawn very comfortably! * Pro Tip for Next Time: Lots of visitors brought Pop-up Ez-Ups or shade tents--we'll definitely be bringing ours on our next visit. Kid & Family Friendliness * Toddler Haven: The park is super toddler-friendly. The local vibe was so welcoming--we even met another sweet family who shared their beach toys with my son! He had an absolute blast. * Water Access: Water entry is located right at the far end by the large gazebo. * Safe & Mindful: Even with paddleboarders going in and out of the water near the entry point, everyone was very careful and mindful of the young kids nearby, which gave great peace of mind. Parking Strategy & Warning * Parking can be tricky! The main parking lot is quite small with a tight single-lane, one-way setup. If you drive in hoping for a spot, you risk getting stuck in a bottleneck behind people idling and waiting. * Best Approach: We chose to park a bit further away and walk over, which saved us a huge headache. Highly recommend walking in if the main lot looks busy! Overall: A fantastic, scenic park with great water access and a wonderful family environment. We'll definitely be back (with our shade tent next time)!

There are a few picnic tables under some large trees, the bike path runs through, the shoreline is…read morewalkable and you can sit and picnic. Very nice spot to relax!

This is a great spot to see the lake and relax. There are trails to walk as well. There is limited…read moreparking but plenty when I came on a weekday.

First, on a Sunday afternoon at the end of October, no parking by noon. My second reason for…read moreremoving a star is that the "female" restroom was out of order, the "male" restroom didn't have a trash can (which I understand, partly, being in the forest). But why have a girls and boys restroom, why not just two bathrooms. And the last reason I kept a star, only one trash reciprocal in the entire parking lot. I believe we should continue to encourage Visitors to "pack it in, pack it out" plus some. How do we do that if we expect then to put it in their car and take it with them? Trailhead has a very descriptive sign, provides lots of good information. Trail is 6.4 miles, 1,174 altitude gain (out/back), dogs allowed on lead, near Fawnskin. This trail offers AMAZING views of Big Bear Lake, bikes also share the trail. (Dog bags provided at trailhead, pls pick up after yourself, and your doggie;) There's so much to explore, get up, and get out there.

A nice escape, I think it's probably less-trafficked because it's on the North Shore (away from the…read moremain crowds) and a bit away from the Discovery Center. At the top is a rock outcropping where you can get a good view of the lake, albeit partially obstructed. I saw a cinnamon-furred black bear near the top the last time I hiked (June 27, 2017 around 6:15pm), so be on the lookout, keep your distance, and make your presence know (I stomped my feet, and he took notice and slowly went about his business in a different direction than where I was). July 13, 2017: did an evening hike and saw 2 deer, along with a pair of yellow eyes and green eyes (more deer?) at night, and three scorpions along the trail. You will need an Adventure Pass to park in the lot, but alternatively you can park along the road (a good spot is by the Eagle habitat warning sign).

We have a place at Snow Summit that backs right up to the trail. It's a beautiful way you can start…read morethe day and go into town for breakfast. At 8am on a Saturday in July it was very quiet and gorgeous views, not too hot yet. I saw just a handful of hikers. I had been warned about the number of bikers whizzing by. On my way back at 10:30 there were indeed loads of bikers headed to snow summit. I have to say though, without exception, they all were gracious and said good morning and alerted me they were approaching. In turn I politely stepped to the side. It's all about sharing the road or trail and maybe go out early to avoid bikes. On another visit my husband and I took our French Mastiff for an evening walk and had him off leash. BAD idea! First of all evening is feeding time for lots of wildlife. Second, we didn't have him on leash. At one point we couldn't see him and called out. From around a bush comes our dog flanked by two female wolves three inches taller than him. We were able to coerce him away and get him on leash but it was a super scary situation. If he had been a small dog I'm not sure what would have happened.

Easy access to this trail. We went from the end of Summit…read moreBlvd passing by the back of Snow Summit Townhouse Rentals. But from the other direction trailhead is at the junction of Forest Ranger Rd and 2N08 2.8 mile out and back. 300+ ft elevation. So little up/down hills. You can see Big Bear Lake at one point of the trail. Came during the fall after a small snowfall. Note: there may be some bikers on this trail as it converges with the bottom of a mountain biking only path.