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!

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.

Went to MacKay park last month, I did not take any photos that day, but it was a small park good…read morefor family and children. Upon arriving, parking lot is not as big as you would expect, we squeezed in besides the trash cans to park, however it was really clean, and everyone's vibe is nothing but smiles and nods. They do have bathrooms, on the right hand side near the parking lot are swings, to the left and middle part closer to the parking lot has two pickleball courts, and if you walk past the swings the walkway leads to a view and a children's playground. My fiancée and I came for the dog park, which was literally a walk to the left past the actual parking lot. Spacious with a few trees and limited spots for shade. But enough room for your furry friends to stretch their legs!

What a gem this park is, we got done walking around the Village so we decided to take the girls to…read morethe park for a bit before we went to meet up with our other friends to watch the bands play. Wow this park is amazing, it was very windy and foggy but the kids didn't mind. We brought blankets so through them over us lol and walked over. They have swings when you first walk up, but if you walk a bit further they have the playground. They also have a tennis or bad mitten court and basketball courts too. The playground is so nice and clean and they have a cool zip line for the kids to play on, they loved that so much and had a blast going on it lol. It even has a cute little gazebo such a beautiful park. The girls had a blast we would love to come here again. If you have never been to MacKay Park you should if you have little ones it's really beautiful here. Even if you don't it's peaceful and in the mountains and so lovely. The parking lot is pretty big too so plenty for everyone. Have a beautiful day, be kind to everyone :) Aloha

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

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 picnic area was closed on the weekend of May 19 because of nesting Eagles, I have no idea when…read moreit will reopen. However, I saw the picnic area from the road and it looked quite nice. Even though the site is next to the lake, it is quite a ways away since currently the lake is very low. So there are better options closer to the water, such as the day use are right across from Serrano Campground called Meadows Edge Picnic Area.

This was a gorgeous spot to stop and do a mini hike. Great photo opps and a beautiful place to have…read morea picnic and just relax. I posted a few photos because it is just too beautiful for words. You do have to have an Adventure Pass to park there ($5 at any 7-11). But it is absolutely worth the stop.

Love the Maple Lane trails. The group(s) responsible, along with the dedicated volunteers have…read moredone a fantastic job on creating these over the last few years. Recently, July 2024 I've noticed dirt bikes tearing up the trails, on which NO motorized vehicles are allowed. Could not locate any contact info so attempted to create a trail account to report this illegal use before the trails get even worse, but creating & signing in was a joke as it came back with log-in suspicious?? Really? Anyway, the trails here are great. Take a great hike, with your family, friends & dog before they get all screwed up.

No parking and couldn't find the entrance. Very deserted area near a school. I was looking for a…read moretrail with snow for the scenery but the entrance it led me to was completely gated off with no where to park, just go to the park near by.

Great dog friendly walk that leads to additional trails. The main paved area is a very short…read morehike(0.2 miles), but you continue on an unpaved trail which gets quite steep. Both the paved and dirt trail are pretty well shaded

Happy Hills Trail is one of 3 trails maintained by Big Bear City within City limits, along with…read more Knickerbocker Trail and Rathbun Creek Trail. It opened 7 years ago in 2017, and is a paved .2 mile trail (.4 miles out and back). The trailhead is at the northwest end of the Civic Center parking lot. It runs along a creek, and there are several picnic areas and a restroom. The end of the paved trail connects to the Pine Knot and Cabin 89 (semi-groomed but unpaved) trails with elevation gains and huge boulders. We have been wanting to check it out, so came by today on a sunny, brisk autumn morning. They were having a free nature inspired Halloween yoga event for little kids this morning - so sweet! The Pine Knot and Cabin 89 trails were closed now (Oct. '24) due to the Line Fire, but very nice walk!