Summer is a great time to visit Big Bear, California, particularly if you’re an outdoor enthusiast.
The town isn’t overrun with skiers, the lake is perfect for lakefront lounging, there are lots of outdoor activities to engage in, and many Big Bear vacation rentals offer lower rates, all of which can make your trip more affordable and enjoyable.
In this blog post, we’ll highlight 5 summertime activities in Big Bear that you should include in your travel itinerary if you’re planning on visiting this charming mountain destination soon.
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Hiking
There are miles of hiking routes in Big Bear that cater to hikers of all fitness levels.
Many of these trails, however, are inaccessible during winter, but they begin to thaw and open again in the spring.
During July and August, Big Bear, CA, experiences daily highs of around 80 degrees – a few degrees cooler than downtown Los Angeles, for example – which makes for fine hiking weather as long as there’s shade readily available.
Try the Alpine Pedal Path, an easy 8.2 km (5 miles) paved trail found on the north side of Big Bear Lake and within the San Bernardino National Forest if you’re new to hiking. It’s also a great biking path! You’ll experience a combination of stunning lake views and forest scenery while hiking, and there are benches along the trail where you can stop if you become tired.
For a more challenging climb, consider Cougar Crest Trail, which takes you up to Bertha Peak, one of the highest points around Big Bear Lake. This 9 km (5.6 miles) trail also boasts breathtaking views of the lake and beautiful wilderness.
Other popular hiking trails in Big Bear you might want to check out include the Castle Rock Trail, the Pine Knot Trail, Grays Peak Trail, and Pacific Crest Trail.
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Fishing
Big Bear Lake and lakefront activities also peak in the summer – with fishing being one of the popular lake activities.
The lake is packed with a wide range of fish species, including rainbow trout, small and largemouth bass, crayfish, catfish, bluegill sunfish, black crappie, common carp, and panfish, making it a favorite destination for anglers.
You can fish from the shore, rent a boat and go out on the lake to fish, or hire a Big Bear fishing charter service, where an expert angler will provide you with fishing equipment, transport you to the lake’s best fishing locations, and help you improve your fishing techniques.
North Shore, Stanfield Cutoff, and Boulder Bay are a few places in Big Bear where you can go shore fishing, and if you want to rent a boat or pay for a fish charter service, consider Big Bear Marina, Pine Knot Marina, and Holloway’s Marina.
Note, to fish in Big Bear Lake, you must have a California fishing license, which you can buy online or at local sporting goods stores.
Once you’re done with fishing, other fun springtime lake sports you could try at one of the Big Bear Lake marinas include kayaking, paddleboarding, and jet skiing. Additionally, you can pay for a boat tour of the freshwater lake, which stretches for 11+ km (7 miles).
For easier access to Big Bear Lake and all of the activities it has to offer, consider booking a lakefront cabin for your trip.
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Off-Roading
If you’re looking for an adrenaline-pumping experience in Big Bear, make sure to include one of our many 4×4 off-road trails in your travel plans. This offers you a unique way to experience the area’s natural beauty – and even learn more about its history.
Don’t worry, you don’t need to own a 4×4 or have off-road driving experience to enjoy this activity. Several companies in Big Bear provide 4×4 vehicle rentals and guided off-road 4×4 tours.
One of the most well-known is the Big Bear Jeep Experience, which allows drivers of all skill levels to drive one of their jeeps and experience Big Bear’s rough terrain.
Popular off-roading trails in Big Bear include:
- The Holcomb Valley Gold Fever Trail, primarily made up of dirt and fire roads, is ideal if you have never done off-roading before. As you drive along this trail you’ll get to see many Big Bear historic landmarks, including an old mine and cabin.
- The Squeeze is also a beginner-friendly trail where you may practice using four-wheel drive while navigating rock formations. After finishing this trail, you can continue to the John Bull Jr. Trail, which has bigger boulders and hazards waiting for you. You’ll be driving up to the summit of the trail, which is almost 8,000 feet in elevation.
- The Gold Mountain Trail is for highly experienced off-road drivers accustomed to navigating extremely steep inclines and rock crawling.
Off-roading can be dangerous, so it’s important to follow all safety precautions and regulations while engaging in this activity. Also, be environmentally conscious and stay on designated trails to help preserve the surrounding San Bernardino National Forest for future generations.
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Ziplining
This is also another exhilarating Big Bear activity you can enjoy in summer.
While there are several locations in Big Bear that allow you to fly high above the forest floor while admiring the beautiful natural scenery, we recommend giving Action Tours a try. They have nine high-speed zip lines in a remote location that can go up to speeds of 35 mph. The shortest zipline is where you’ll start your ziplining adventure, and as you progress, the lines get longer, higher off the ground, and faster. Your heart will be racing after this activity!
When you’re done riding the zip lines, Action Tours also offers wine and beer tasting from more than 70 California wines and a large selection of craft beer.
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Mountain Biking
Similar to hiking trails, Big Bear has plenty of mountain biking routes with moderate to challenging terrain.
Many mountain bikers like Snow Summit Bike Park because of its well-kept downhill tracks, which serve as the venue for many national cycling competitions. Beast Trail, Grand View Loop Trail, and Bear Lake Woodland Trail are a few other popular mountain biking routes in Big Bear.
You can also have a great time during a spring vacation in Big Bear by going horseback riding through the serene countryside and playing golf at the town’s golf courses, surrounded by breathtaking mountain views.
Sky High Cabins: #1 in Big Bear Cabin Rentals & Management
After a long day of entertaining activities in Big Bear, you need a comfortable and cozy retreat to come back to. Our Big Bear cabin rental service can help with that.
Sky High Cabins offers a wide range of accommodation options, including luxurious lake-view cabins. Just imagine waking up in your Big Bear vacation rental to the sounds of birds chirping and a backdrop of pine trees. If you book your Big Bear holiday cabin directly with us, you’ll not only get the best rates available but also save on the extra fees and commissions charged by third-party rental services like Airbnb and VRBO.
Sky High Cabins also runs a property management service, which guarantees all our Big Bear rental cabins are kept in good condition, and we can provide personalized service to make your stay in Big Bear as comfortable and pleasurable as possible.
What are you waiting for? Reserve your Big Bear vacation cabin today, or if you have any inquiries about any of our Big Bear cabins that you need addressed before making a booking, contact us at 909-366-0706 or fill out our online contact form. We will be glad to help!