1. Boulder Bay Park

    1. Boulder Bay Park

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    Big Bear Lake, CA

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    Boulder Bay Park

    4.4 (110 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours

    Boulder Bay Park Photos

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    Homes along the shoreline.
    Jenn R.

    Cool little spot nestled along the southwest shore of Big Bear Lake. The scenery is stunning -- massive boulders are scattered along the shoreline, creating the perfect backdrop for photos, picnics, or just soaking in nature. A circular walking path encompasses the park, perfect for getting your steps in. What drew me in to this area was the rocky island that sits out in the lake and a publicly accessible floating dock where I saw a few people fishing. Note, walking onto the floating dock is slightly shaky, so hang onto your phones and other valuables tightly! THE PARKING. There's a parking lot next to the park. Parking seemed to have a steady turnover, with cars coming and going often, so open spots tend to appear regularly. Parking is free. THE VERDICT. Whether you're looking for a scenic lake stroll, some outdoor adventure, or just a spot to unwind, Boulder Bay Park is worth a visit.

    Dulce R.

    This is a PACKED and very busy Park that attracts people coming into Big Bear Lake or leaving Big Bear. We came in at night, so we hit this park leaving Big Bear Lake. Many people taking pictures or selfies, some people fishing off the small pier, while others were walking their dogs. It was very clean, there is restrooms available (yes there was a line) and plenty of parking, although you may need to wait for a spot. It is a cool park to check out, I've seen pictures of people kayaking, however there are signs that say to stay on the path and not cross over the railing. A nice picnic place perhaps or family photos with the bear. The boulders in the area/park make it a cool photographic area.

    Brigette G.

    Such a great and relaxing park. You can rent kayaks and boards or just lay on the grass and enjoy big bear.

    Raegan N.

    Absolutely stunning park. Beautiful view of Boulder Bay and the lake. Nice little beach to lay down a blanket & pillows and chill out. Nice grassy area and there are kayak and paddleboard rentals to enjoy! Just make sure to bring a lot of sunscreen! Limited parking so I would get there early, by 10 or 11 at the latest on the weekend.

    Pete B.

    Love Love Love this Park! The park as plenty of parking and lots of benches. There are some gazebo spaces so you can have some shade while you chill at this park. The rock formation aka boulders are very cool and there is a dock to get closer to the water. It is slightly tucked away so not super easy to find. There are lots of residential homes around the surround areas that actually looking into Boulder Bay Park which seems super cool to me. I loved this park so much that I went back several time to just relax on the park bench and listen to the birds and ducks in the area.

    Boulder Bay Park
    Ashley M.

    We enjoyed our time at Boulder Bay Park! There are some things we learned that I'd like to share to make it a little easier for planning. This park is right off from the water. If you'd like to, you can set up a space in the grass areas or closer to the water where the sand is. If you prefer the sand to get closer to the water, the ground is rather inclined. We found it best to set up our things to the side closer to the walkway that's looking over the water where people are also fishing. Boulder Bay Park is such a beautiful view! - the pictures really don't do justice. We packed lunch and were able to relax and enjoy the day. If you're planning to park, the main lot can get full quite fast. We ended up dropping off our things at the park and then had one person drive to find parking. We ended up parking on the outskirts of the park. I also noticed that there are waves of groups that come throughout the day so we didn't have trouble finding a spot in the afternoon.

    Lizelle P.

    Beautiful park with many photo ops! There's a little pier where some were fishing. Beautiful boulder structures dotted around the park and water. There are picnic tables, a gazebo and grassy area to walk around. Clean restrooms.

    Krista F.

    Must visit after a stop at castle rock trail. Dog friendly! Super cute park with minimal parking spaces. Can go swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding etc.

    Cindy Y.

    Beautiful scenery. If you're looking to enjoy a part of the big bear lake I recommend this area. There were nice vacation cabins along the shore and huge rock formations in the middle of the water. I could stare out in the scenery for a long time because it's so picturesque almost doesn't look real!

    Andrew W.

    Twas a freezing Saturday evening! But it was definitely worth the trip to be here! The winter scenery here was absolutely gorgeous!! It could be super cold so definitely recommended to bring beanies and ear covering stuff as well as gloves I'd love to stay around this place for my future trip! On the way here could take awhile since long waiting of traffic maybe expected. Other than that, have a great time and come enjoy the visit! Cheers

    Picnic tables
    Vuoch L.

    Clean restroom, picnic tables , private parking lot and beautiful lake views makes this a great park to have lunch and walk off your food on the trails .

    Ane V.

    It was drought when we visited so we were able to walk and cross the other side. We encountered families, couples and friends enjoying the park while taking in the view and catching pictures here and there. It is a small park but it offers plenty of shade and a good leisurely walk. It is free to enter as well as the parking. It was busy but we were able to find a spot to park.

    The water level is super low. Most of the area is dried out
    Lance L.

    (This review is by no means a way of discouraging you to visit or deter you in any way) As of November 2021, Boulder Bay Park was an extremely sad scene due to the current drought in Southern California. What used to be a well flourished body of water, is now not much more than a huge puddle. While visiting Big Bear this past weekend, we took a drive from our vacation rental to check out Boulder Bay Park. It was a beautiful day outside, the sun was shining, but the weather still warranted a jacket and gloves to stay warm. To our amazement, where there used to be water that covered the entire area, we were literally able to walk 90% of the park in which normally we wouldn't have access to by foot. Being here made me realize just how bad the drought in California really is and how this area has really been affected by it. Despite this, it is still a really picturesque place to come and be one with Nature. We encountered families, couples, and groups of friends during our 1 hour visit and everyone seemed to enjoy being outdoors breathing in the cool, crisp air. I hope that the next time we visit, the area will be filled with water once again as it's meant to be so the local wildlife that depends on it can flourish.

    Big boulders you can kayak or paddle board over to.

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    6 months ago

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    1 year ago

    Beautiful! View is great, swimming is fun, kayak rentals are right next to it, park is perfect to chill out!

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    3 years ago

    Cute little beach. No fee to enter. You can rent kayaks and SUPs. Good for kids and pets too!

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    3 years ago

    Bunmer. Wanted to stop by here last weekend but the entire park is under construction. Not sure for how long.

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    3 years ago

    Currently closed for construction. Yes, the entire place is closed. You will not have access to anything on premises.

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    Boulder Bay Park Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Boulder Bay Park

    What section of this park can you go swimming in?

    Any section you like, near gazebo is best to rent kayaks and swim

    Are dogs allowed?

    Yes on leash Free reservations at getboards.com for kayaks

    Can you swim at Boulder Bay park? Is there public beach access?

    Yes Visit getboards.com

    Can you grill?

    No ...

    Do parks in big bear have grills? I love cooking outside make breakfast for my boys?

    This park doesn't have

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Boulder Bay Park

    This is truly a unique area with beautiful rock formations sitting in the water to make for a perfect selfie.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Aspen Glen Picnic Area

    Aspen Glen Picnic Area

    4.1(94 reviews)
    1.1 mi

    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 .

    Photos
    Aspen Glen Picnic Area - Picnic area

    Picnic area

    Aspen Glen Picnic Area
    Aspen Glen Picnic Area - Big bear snow man

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    Big bear snow man

    Alpine Pedal Path

    Alpine Pedal Path

    4.8(57 reviews)
    2.8 mi

    The hike is so so so gorgeous! The Big Bear magazine labeled it as easy & I guess relatively…read morespeaking it is, but when it's 95-100 F it's not the easiest thing in the WORLD. Kids can do it though, so, fine, it's easy. Gorgeous wildflowers along the way. Many scenic moments to take photographs or stand & enjoy the scenery. Stunning trees & flowers. When we got to the actual lake (super ready in our bathing suits), it smelled like manure. Unsure why. So we didn't end up swimming, but we turned around & got to see more of the hike instead of missing out on the end of the hike by going back the same exact way (since we walked across the beach area). Definitely recommend, especially if you're pushing a stroller or have children! We saw many families and people getting exercise.

    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!

    Photos
    Alpine Pedal Path - The snow on the trees is sooo pretty. The wind blows side to side and the snow catches on trees and branches!!

    The snow on the trees is sooo pretty. The wind blows side to side and the snow catches on trees and branches!!

    Alpine Pedal Path
    Alpine Pedal Path

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    Big Bear Discovery Center - What a cutie

    Big Bear Discovery Center

    4.4(144 reviews)
    3.0 mi

    I've been here twice now for their music in the woods concerts in the summer and both times, it's…read morebeen a blast. There are hiking paths around which I haven't done yet. There is a small parking lot if you are one of the earlier folks there for that day. It's a little building where they do have restrooms. Everyone is friendly.

    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!

    Photos
    Big Bear Discovery Center
    Big Bear Discovery Center - More items and info desk

    More items and info desk

    Big Bear Discovery Center - Gift shop

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    Gift shop

    Big Bear Marina - Boat marina

    Big Bear Marina

    4.7(1.2k reviews)
    1.7 mi

    super boating experience on pontoon boat 130.00 for 1 hour…read moresuper day Issues: Need pennents, flag on pier to ID port Color hanger warehouse from Grey to other color Add helipad for MedEvac use if needed Add diner on site away from main dock Host Jetski rental area Boost bouy size to be visible IE 5 ft min. & color code, white blends into wave action & hides bouy Hoist huge flag etc visible from the Solar Observatory alone can Help To all structures Facing Lakeside only have color/s Compete with other marinas for Biz Poll vendors, staffers, guests

    Great Staff, but Disappointing "Preferred" Pontoon Rental…read more The staff at Big Bear Marina was great. Everyone was very friendly, patient, and took the time to explain everything before we headed out. No complaints at all about the service. Where I was disappointed was the pontoon itself. I paid extra for the "Large Preferred Pontoon w/ Bluetooth Radio," so I expected the boat to be a step above the standard rentals. When we got on board, I was surprised by how worn and dated it was. One section of the upholstery had a large rip, probably 18 inches long, and the rest of the seating showed quite a bit of wear. It also had basic vinyl flooring rather than something like SeaDek. The Bluetooth appeared to simply be an adapter that had been added to the existing stereo. For something being marketed and priced as a "Preferred" pontoon, I expected a noticeably nicer and better-maintained boat. The price was also fairly high -- four hours here cost about what we've paid for eight hours at the river for a much newer and nicer tri-toon. We still enjoyed our time on the lake, and again, the staff was excellent. I just think that at this price point, especially when paying extra for the Preferred option, the condition of the rental fleet should be better.

    Photos
    Big Bear Marina
    Big Bear Marina - Boat tour

    Boat tour

    Big Bear Marina - Views you can't get on shore...

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    Views you can't get on shore...

    Boulder Bay Park - parks - Updated September 2026

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