Are you visiting Big Bear in October and wondering how to make the most of your trip? If so, you’ve come to the right place!
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the best activities, events, and outdoor adventures that make Big Bear an ideal fall destination.
4 Exciting Activities to Do in Big Bear This October
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Participate in the Big Bear Lake Troutfest
A popular two-day fishing event, the Big Bear Lake Troutfest takes place annually on the first weekend of October at Big Bear Lake.
The event is scheduled for October 5 and 6, 2024, and is open to fishing enthusiasts of all skill levels who compete for the chance to win thousands of dollars in cash and awards for the biggest catches.
For adults, Troutfest registration costs $75, while junior registration (14 and under) is $50. If you’re among the first 600 people to register, you’ll get a gift bag with a range of products from the event sponsors.
Don’t worry if you are unable to make it to this fun family festival. You may still bring your fishing gear for your October Big Bear vacation and head to one of the many shores, marinas, or charter a boat to access deeper waters to catch many kinds of fish, including panfish, rainbow trout, bass, sunfish, catfish, bluegill and black crappie.
A California fishing license, which can be purchased online or at one of the Big Bear Lake sporting goods and fishing establishments, is required for anglers who are older than 16 years old.
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Zipline While Smashing Pumpkins
October is pumpkin season in Big Bear, and picking pumpkins at farms is a classic fall leisure activity that’s great for the whole family.
However, why not attempt pumpkin smashing while on a zipline for a more unusual and thrilling experience? One of Big Bear’s top outdoor recreation companies, Action Tours, offers zipline rides where you may race down above the forest floor while tossing a pumpkin at several strategically located points. You’ll get a prize for hitting any of the targets.
This exhilarating zip line experience, which takes place every Saturday in October, also provides you with a fantastic way to take in the gorgeous Big Bear scenery, including Johnson Valley and Mt. San Gorgonio, the tallest peak in Southern California.
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Party at the Annual Big Bear Oktoberfest
Big Bear’s Oktoberfest has been held for over half a century. It normally happens over nine weekends, starting early September and ending the first week of November. The weekends in October are the busiest.
German beer is, of course, abundant during this festival, which takes place at the Big Bear Lake Convention Center, and other highlights include live performances by Bavarian bands that will make you want to dance all night, and traditional German food such as schnitzels, bratwursts, pretzels, and sauerkraut.
Is Big Bear’s Oktoberfest child-friendly? Yes, it is, if you’ve brought the kids along!
Sundays tend to be welcoming to families, with more children-focused things to do including face painting, bounce houses, carnival rides, and fun games.
Due to its reputation as one of Southern California’s top fall festivals, Big Bear’s Oktoberfest tickets sell out quickly, especially during popular weekends. For this reason, we recommend that you purchase your event tickets weeks in advance and go to the festival early to ensure you get parking and a decent seat.
Many people who attend Big Bear’s Oktoberfest love dressing up to appreciate German culture and add to the festival’s joyous mood.
So, you could choose to dress in dirndls, lederhosen, or other traditional German clothing while attending the event.
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Attend Halloween Events
If your family loves Halloween festivities, Big Bear holds a number of them throughout October.
The annual Boo at the Zoo event at the Big Bear Alpine Zoo is one highly regarded occasion that you could go to. Usually hosted on the Saturday before Halloween, this Halloween-themed celebration is perfect for families with youngsters under the age of twelve.
Kids can dress up in costumes, enjoy trick-or-treating, and learn about the zoo’s over 85 animal species, including bobcats, grizzly bears, gopher snakes, owls, mule deer, and mountain lions.
Boo in the Zoo happens on October 26 from 10 AM to 3 PM this year.
Scare Valley Farms is the place to go if you want something that makes your skin crawl.
This attraction has a haunted hayride that leads you through a ghost town full of monsters, ghouls, and demons; after that, you’ll go to a grotesque slaughterhouse where you’ll have to watch a live mock execution meant to terrify you to the point of death and then battle your way out before you’re next to be executed.
More fun activities to add to your Big Bear October vacation itinerary are mountain biking, hiking through the San Bernardino National Forest to see the changing hues of the Big Bear landscape due to fall foliage, and taking a Big Bear helicopter tour for an incredible aerial view of the city’s snow-capped mountains, and more.
Sky High Cabins: #1 in Big Bear Cabin Rentals & Management
Following a full day of hiking, festivals, lake excursions, and other activities in Big Bear, you deserve a comfortable and well-kept place to recharge. From luxurious lakefront cabins to charming hideaways nestled in the mountains, Sky High Cabins has some of the top vacation rentals in town.
Book your Big Bear holiday rental directly with us right now, and you’ll not only get the best prices available but also save money on your trip by avoiding middleman fees levied by vacation rental sites like Airbnb and VRBO.
To make your trip unforgettable, the helpful Sky High Cabins staff will go above and beyond to ensure your vacation rental is spotlessly clean and ready for you at all times, and we can even personalize your experience by organizing a special celebration, suggesting the best local spots to visit, or setting up a private starlit dinner.
Explore the extensive range of cabin options we provide here and reserve your vacation rental today to enjoy the cheapest rates, cleanest lodging, and a wonderful stay in our stunning cabins!
Please contact us at 909-366-0706 or via our online form if you have any queries regarding our Big Bear vacation rentals. We’ll gladly answer any questions you have.
