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)!

The Aspen Glen Picnic Area is a day use area only that is open year round. It's a quaint area for a…read moreleisurely picnic or a great starting point to accessible trail heads. Some picnic tables, a community fire ring, and some barbecues are provided for use. I wouldn't rely on the restrooms. Also, be prepared as there's no potable water on-site. There is a small parking lot that fits about 15 small vehicles. Parked vehicles must display a valid recreation pass. You can purchase a pass from the Mountaintop Ranger District & Discovery Center along with other vendors (see the USDA Forest Service website for a map of vendors located under the "Passes and Permits" tab).

This Aspen Glen Picnic area is a beautiful spot surrounded by tall pine trees that provide plenty…read moreof shade. It's a peaceful place to relax, with several picnic tables scattered throughout the grove. I've visited a few times in both fall and winter, and fall is definitely my favorite, the weather is much more comfortable for me. The parking lot is quite small, so it's best to arrive early, especially during busy months. Parking is $5, and conditions can vary depending on the season. When there's snow, the lot can be challenging to access, small sedans can easily get stuck, so having a larger vehicle or 4WD is highly recommended. There is one standard two stall restroom, but it's not very well maintained. There's no running water, so bringing your own toiletries and hand sanitizer is a good idea. The area is open from 8am to sundown .

Beautiful park with beautiful views. This is also where they have the Farmers market. If you see…read moresome guys selling cherries, BUY them.

Pretty small park. They have the walkie talkie things, 3 slides abd some bars. That's pretty much…read moreit. Further down there are restrooms. There's several benches to sit at and some facing the lake. We got to see several birds, hornets and even a little gopher!

Nice view Easy parking…read more Quiet Lots of space for a grassy picnic Good playground for the kids

Least enjoyable experience. Very strict on every aspect of being here and talked to each other…read moreabout the people present the entire time. At one point a lifeguard went up to a group and was eagle watching them waiting for them to do something wrong. Such a shame because this area of the lake is beautiful.

Bathrooms locked , Trash Cans over full ! Porta potties bad…read more!!! County of San Bernardino needs to do better!

This is definitely one of the prettiest parks in Big Bear Lake. It offers 16.25 acres of a ball…read morefield, picnic tables, big shady trees, a beautiful grassy lawn and sports courts. I have been to this park many times and we have created our own bocce ball court on the grass and played some fun games. In the summer time, there is access to the lake and they offer a swim beach so one can take a dip in the fresh water of the lake. Plenty of parking, grills for bbq, clean restrooms, and a play ground. I like to come down in the evening and catch a nice sunset and I have heard the views from this park for July 4th are some of the best views in town. Dogs are welcome here too. Overall, I will return here again and again.

The Stanfield Preserve Boardwalk is an easy-to-navigate trail located on the east end of Big Bear…read moreLake. This boardwalk stretches across a protected wetland area, providing a unique opportunity to experience the region's diverse flora and fauna up close. The boardwalk is relatively flat and well-maintained, making it accessible to visitors of all ages and fitness levels and it's dog friendly. Just be aware of bikers. The boardwalk is open from dawn to dusk and offers ample time to explore at your own pace. Parking is available nearby, and there are several access points to the boardwalk. We parked for free in a lot at the west end of the boardwalk.

I enjoy this trail! It's a flat walk along the lake with beautiful views, especially when the…read moreweather is nice! There is a parking lot here but it can get full, so many cars are usually park along the street. What I like about this place in particular is that all ages can do it & you can walk as far or little as you'd like. Great little treasure in Big Bear!

Loved this trail. Super convenient and right off the 18. Love how there is little educational stops…read morethat tell you the history of this location and all the wild life that can be seen. My kid loved it. This is definitely a family friendly trail for everyone.

Limited parking area near Big Bear Boulevard, shared with an IHOP. Good fall colors from the…read morewillows in the creek bed!

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.

Nice park to catch the 4th fireworks. Best to walk if you can as the traffic after the show is nuts!read more

The Big Bear Discovery Center is a place of just that…read more.. Discovery!! A place where Nature is the Star, but Nurture is equally as important. A place where the Great Outdoors is embraced and being one with Nature is encouraged by all. Welcome to the Big Bear Discovery Center! While visiting our friends at their cabin in Beautiful Big Bear, we decided to take the kids to the Discovery Center to see what it was all about. Upon walking into the building, we were immediately immersed into the wildlife that makes up this areas landscape. From the avian wildlife, to the reptiles, to the large mammals that call Big Bear Home, the Discovery Center gave a great snapshot of what nature lives in these mountains. In addition, the various types of rock, plants and trees were also on display which showcased the unique landscape of the region. On the back part of the building, there was a decent sized gift shop where your young explorers can browse all of the nature related toys, books and gear to be a Jr. Ranger. But the fun didn't stop there... Out front, they had a table for kids to do a hands on activity. The day we went, kids could make their own bird feeder using a pine cone, peanut butter and bird seed. After making our homemade bird feeders, we took a short walk to the other side of the building where they had an outdoor area called Nature Discovery Zone where kids could play, dig, build things. There are other activities on site, but this is all we did on our visit. If you find yourself in the Big Bear area and have young kids, definitely a good place to come check out. They do have some snacks and drinks inside the gift shop, but I didn't see any actual hot food to eat. There are picnic benches and places you can sit and relax if you want to pack a lunch and eat in the outdoor area. Now... Who's ready to Discover the behind the scenes of Big Bear!

Where does one go when they're looking for directions to find shadow and Jackie?…read more #flylikeaneagle Here is my story I have been watching the bald eagles in the big Bear San Bernardino territory. I have been watching them for a few years now. Little did I know the big bear discovery center provides information on every type of animal in the area, every type of bird in the area, every type of everything in the area, is found at this discovery center My first visit there and definitely not my last, I plan to learn more about the majestic bald eagles that fly around the big bear San Bernardino mountains Also, in the vicinity are many hiking trails so, are you hikers take note to this review About an hour and a half outside of Los Angeles proper you can get to the big bear vicinity. Do your due diligence and find out all the other experiences you can receive from this area. Make your pic and get additional knowledgeable information from the big Bear discovery center. Go there, be there, or, be square