This is a beautiful trail, but a little tougher than expected! There seem to be quite a few different trails/routes you can take, but I'd plan for about 2-3 miles minimum (in the altitude it feels longer lol). They recently added a parking lot, which made it so much more convenient for parking and to find the start of the trail! I'm so glad they did this. I'd still say the earlier arrival, the better, so you can get a parking spot. For the trail itself, it's a good workout - there are both uphills & downhills. Once you get to the top, there are beautiful views of the lake. read more

We took this hike with our pups and it was awesome! It was definitely a work out with lots of steep and uphill hiking. We made it to the big rock at the very end, unfortunately with our pups we were unable to climb all the day to the tippy top. Overall an awesome hike, saw lots of trees, rocks, and little streams along the way! Trail is dog friendly, and has a lot of spots to stop for great views of the lake read more

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After years of not being able to hike this trail (snow, ice, no parking, fires, etc.), I was finally able to do it! Huzzah for the new parking lot, which has quite a few parking spots, a bathroom, and easy access to the trailhead. Don't let the posted distance of the trailhead fool you - it's very easy to make this hike longer than anticipated. The trail markers are these caged rocks, and sometimes we lost track of them and had to guess. There are also a lot of places to scramble up rocks, which was so much fun. Once we found the sign for Castle Rock, my son (6 yo) and I took a look up, then climbed all the way to the top. The view from the top was amazing! Very much worth it. We took a different rock scrambling path to climb down, so there are options if you decide to climb up. With all of our meandering, scrambling, and just general shenanigans, we finished in about 3 hours feeling pretty accomplished. read more

Castle Rock Trail - View from the top of Castle Rock - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

This review is for Champion Lodgepole via Castle Rock Trail which was a ~4.8 miles round trip that took ~3 hours to complete. This was another stunning forest hike near Big Bear Lake, California. With the new parking lot, the beginning of the trail has changed. The first mile or so was a steep incline on dirt and some rocks. This part of the trail could be tricky to follow so try looking for the stack of rocks! After exiting Castle Rock Trail, it was mostly a flat dirt path that takes you to the Bluff Mesa Trail and then towards the Bluff Lake! On the way back down on Castle Rock Trail will reward you with some views of Big Bear Lake! There is now a new parking lot with at least 25 parking spaces available. No more street parking. Restroom available at the parking lot. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/4a_Q0hZUk7k read more

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I like to think of myself as an avid hiker, like, actual hiking, not just throwing "outdoorsy" on my Tinder profile to reel in some hunnies. Castle Rock Trail is the real deal. Real dirt. Real trees. Real cardio. None of those fake hikes I'm used to back home in Las Vegas where you're basically just walking on a a road wondering if you should've brought a shopping cart. This trail makes you feel like you've earned it. Every step gets you closer to that I might have lungs of steel or I might need an inhaler moment. Just when you think, that's it, I'm turning back, five more minutes and boom: you're at the top with a view of the lake that makes all the huffing, puffing, and questionable life choices totally worth it. Pro tip: don't let the word "castle" fool you. There's no medieval banquet at the top, but there is a throne worthy view that'll make you feel like the King (or Queen) of Big Bear. Bring water, bring snacks, bring your sense of humor... and maybe bring proof for your dating profile that you didn't just walk around a park and call it a hike. read more

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If you're making a trip to Big Bear and looking for a quick hike this is exactly what you're looking for! The trail head is right off the Big Bear Blvd. Look for the trail sign off the curve. Parking is either off the side of the road or there is very limited parking, less than 10 spots in a small turn off area. The trail itself is a beginner/intermediate level with a total length of about 0.5mi but has steep incline all the way up! The trail itself is pretty obvious since you just follow the steps, markings along the path. Total it will take about 15-30 minutes to get to the summit, depending how fast you walk and if you take breaks. The summit is a rock formation with beautiful panoramic view of Big Bear Lake. Overall a very easy walk for all age groups! read more

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Castle rock trail a very beautiful trail gorgeous to say the least from the vibrant trees and lake surrounding body of water as well . My first impression of big bear was amazing just the Christmas looking trees and forest not to mention the temperature was low seventies . read more

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Depending on how often you hike and do strenuous activities, this hike could either be really good or a whole lot of work. This trail is located at a very random starting point. You'll need to park your car in the turnout or the side of the mountain to begin the hike. The hike itself is considered intermediate/difficult on the Big Bear website, and yeah, it's pretty accurate! The hike is about 70% upwards and very rocky. We brought a dog with us and surprisingly he did pretty well! There are rock structures with wired fencing on it that help mark the trail for you, along with some arrow signages. I think the average on this hike is supposed to be around an hour round trip, but for me, someone who doesn't hike often, it took about two hours. Great views at the top though! You can see the whole Big Bear Lake, and if you go earlier in the morning, there's a nice cooling breeze. read more

If you're visiting Big Bear Lake and but aren't hitting the slopes, Castle Rock Trail is hands-down the best way to experience the mountain and nature. We are coming on a weekend where it's pretty warm and no snow really so it wasn't worth going to the slopes. This hike gives you that "top of the world" feeling you'd usually need a ski lift to reach, offering a heart-pumping workout and the most iconic panoramic views of the lake. It's can be a short, steep climb that feels like a true alpine adventure, making it the perfect outdoor alternative for anyone who prefers hiking boots over a snowboard. Alternatively, this hike can be as long as you want it to be and extend multiple hours round trip if you want to keep going and exploring. It can be strenuous for sure at times as it gets very steep, but there was many families, dogs, babies, and elders making it just fine so don't be discouraged from going! Parking can be rough at peak times, they have a small parking lot with a good amount of spots but they fill up quick. read more

Wonderful trail! This made the drive worth to big bear because the trails have different scenery than LA. The beginning is a steep hike and it feels like you're running out of breath because it's at a high altitude. After 30 min or so it's not as steep and we saw lots of tall pine trees, rocks you can climb on, and of course the big bear lake view! read more

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Our favorite hike in the area. There's some parking off the main road - maybe for like 5-ish cars. It's pretty steep and rocky but not very long of a trail. There's lots of trail markings - with really good views at the top. It's good all seasons though slippery if you come during the winter because of how rocky it is. PS. If you keep going past Castle Rock, there's a lake. read more

There are a number of things I wish I had known before doing this hike, so let me highlight those. 1. Castle Rock itself is located a little more than halfway up the trail. If you only want to see the view from there, you need not continue farther up. 2. It's easy to miss the right-hand path that takes you towards Castle Rock (or at least it was for me, lol). Although there is a small sign, I completely missed it while concentrating on staying on the most-traveled path. The best marker I can give is that it is at the point of a switchback where the most-traveled path makes a hard left. Also, if you turn around at some point and notice a rock formation that looks larger than all the others you've noticed, that's probably Castle Rock lol. 3. I could not find a discernable "top" or "best view" but I also was not willing to scramble up very far. Even without doing so, I did reach the point of finding some nice views anyway. 4. This hike is short, so we decided to continue to Bluff Lake Reserve. I highly recommend doing this, because it is so close and so worth it! At the end of this trail is a dirt road. If you follow it towards your right and take the first left, you're golden. We also saw a deer on the dirt road which was a nice surprise. Regarding parking, and as others have mentioned, it's limited. Since we knew that beforehand, we got there a lot earlier than we needed to, i.e., around 8 a.m. At that time there was only 1 other car parked before us. The largest turnout to park on is on the main road going west, just before the trailhead. read more

Castle Rock Trail - Sign & map at the top of the trail - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

We enjoyed this moderate hike if one stay on the trail. We went off the trail slightly and had to climb through some boulders. The first 30 minutes of elevation gain was probably the strenuous section. The most difficult part was climbing up the Castle Rock with bare hands. Parking on the side of the road is limited, especially in the morning. Be very careful about car traffic. Overall, a great hike for the physical fit. read more

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The hike every guide/blog recommends you to do in Big Bear! I really enjoyed this hike, I would say is definitely challenging with snow on the ground- trail markers are present but kind of camouflaged with everything. Even with a group of friends and the AllTrails route downloaded on our phones, we still went off trail a few times. But also, the main trail was covered in ice so it was better to go around in the snow at some points. Parking is also kind of confusing because there is virtually none- there's a small turnoff point after the Trail head on Big Bear Blvd, that's where we parked but it was not labeled as parking. Overall, great hike, beautiful views! read more

Castle Rock Trail - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

I have done this hike three times. The first two times it was just to Castle Rock and back and is only 2 miles RT. This last time I hiked it in March, we hiked a few miles past Castle Rock to Lookout Point. There were parts of the trail that still had snow (some parts were pretty deep) and there were parts of the trail that had no snow at all. The worst part was the first half a mile because it was the steepest and it was icy in parts. Parking- we always get there early(before 7 am) and don't have trouble finding parking; however there isn't a lot of parking and this place is pretty popular and gets busy later in the day Trail- it is a well-defined out and back trail and you don't have to worry about getting lost, however, if you go past Castle Rock like we did last time it was a bit hard to stay on trail especially because of the snow; if you do continue south past Castle Rock you will come upon Bluff Lake on your way to Lookout Point; now Lookout Point didn't have any sign or marker indicating the location but based on the AllTrails map I was using it was about 2 miles beyond Bluff Lake at an elevation of about 7,900 ft which is about 600 ft higher than Castle Rock...both places, Castle Rock and Lookout Point, reward you with great views read more

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Absolutely breathtaking especially during the winter months! It's a moderate hike, but during the snow it's a lot harder. Make sure you have proper gear. Snow boots, gloves and don't forget your water. read more

Castle Rock Trail - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Good intermediate hike. We went with four little kids. So not terribly tough by any means. But it was steep. Nice thing about the trail, it didn't have too many switch backs. So overall hike was scenic and interesting. Good family hike. Though it did take us two hours to get there and back...... kids :-) read more

Castle Rock Trail - Trail just to left of Castle Rock - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

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It was a very short trail if you're coming from the main road and a decent amount of parking space. I hiked in mid May, so the weather was perfect for me. The trail was a little steep with an elevation of about 1,300 feet I think. The trail leading to castle rock had plenty of signs and trail markings and it was really helpful. There's a lot of flowing water (creeks) all around and with the birds chirping, it was really peaceful. But when you reach the top of castle rock, that's where the beauty nature at its best. The views are breathtaking and so worth the trip! read more

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This trail is the best 2 1/2 mile hike in big bear. It does have a decent amount of elevation and the trail features climbing over tree stumps and rocks, but it is dog friendly and has a great climactic view of the lake. Tip for this trail is that there is a turn out and bend that you park in and come here before 9 AM to get a parking spot and to get the trail all to your self. Must do :) family friendly, dog friendly mix read more

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Great trail for the family and dogs! I would highly suggest going in the morning because the trail is not as covered as it could be. The trial is also a little hard to follow but there are piles of rocks with like chicken fencing around it. The actual castle rock is a little hard to find also when you go around a bend it's to the right and there's a sign on the tree that says 'Castle Rock' and you can explore that. We ended up going all the way up to the like camp ground area and came back before finding the castle rock. read more

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Great hike today! It is a moderate level hike. Make sure you take breaks and take water. Once you get deep into it, the nature and the trees are really majestic. There is also lots of shade too. The trail is definitely very rocky and slippery (due to sand) and steepness. My husband ate it down one of the steps. I would wear good shoes. The hike to the top is pretty much all rocks. Like literally boulder climbing. You'll need to figure out how to climb without slipping and go slow. But once you get to the top the views are awesome. We continued past castle rock and walked another mile to Lake Bluff. So pretty!! Wasn't as crowded and the grass fields are so beautiful. It's worth the extra mile. We came at 7am and got parking in the small lot across from the trailhead on hwy 18. There are porta potties. The lot was full within 10 minutes. Also the weather was cooler and it was less people at 7am. When we were returning at 10:30am, it was definitely a crowd. Also it's very dusty too. I got so much dust in my mouth. Go early! Socially distance! Have fun! :) read more

Castle Rock Trail - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

We enjoyed hike there. Plenty of shade and lots of dogs there. I have two italian greyhounds and they can even handle the hike. Parking is tough. I recommend go early and parking along the street but limited. It's rocky and steep so wear shoes not sandals. I saw some ladies wore sandals and they even stoped at very beginning of trail. If you have kids or/and dogs, bring plenty of water. No bathroom there. We went to the end of castle rock trail and didn't go to the next lake though even the guy we met there told us 15 more minutes from the end of castle rock tail. Our babies were too tired and I couldn't take risk for them. Good news is you don't have to go too far from the beginning of trail. Once you climb up steep parts you see some rocks right and left of trail, you go up there and you will take plenty of beautiful pics to big bear lake. More towards the end of trail, you don't see much view but you see Castle Rock. Or you can go all the way to the next lake. There are chip munks and lizards my dogs were chasing. It was very fun hike for us. If my dogs are younger or we went there early enough before gets too hot, we would be gone to the next lake. read more

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If you're starting this hike from the 18 (Big Bear Blvd) side, boy o boy... mentally prepare yourself for that initial climb! Although this hike is categorized as "moderate", the beginning is quite steep and rocky. You can definitely hear everyone huffing and puffing (myself included) and see people taking breaks here and there. Since we went on a weekend, it was extremely crowded. There was a single file "line" going up as well as another one going down. Just when you think you think you can't take anymore of the steep section, you'll be rewarded by a beautiful view of Big Bear lake once you turn around. This is a wonderful place to look for giant pinecones, relax on the rocks, and take pictures of course! After this section, the hike difficulty drops significantly and it's all smooth sailing from there. You have to get lucky with parking if entering from the 18 side. People park along the road, but it gets pretty packed on the weekends. read more

Castle Rock Trail - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

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I am not a regular hiker, but staying in Big Bear makes you curious... So I did, and I loved it. Wat a beautiful trail! Each step is a photo shoot waiting to happen but it is too beautiful to grasp with your IPhone, so just walk and enjoy... It is quite a climb though, so come prepared and do not forget to bring water and some fruits for example! read more

Castle Rock Trail - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

I was a little worried about the incline of this trail at first, but it is doable. We did this trail in April, so snow and ice was not an issue for us. Our group had people ranging from 9 to 65 years old. The trail has rock pillars to keep you on the path. The view from the top was amazing and worth the climb. read more

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Y'all. This isn't an easy hike. I would classify this as moderate. It's also not really a round trip.. but more of an out and back... with potential for meandering adventures off the beaten path. Tips: - Come early - bring lots of water and wear sunscreen if in the summer/ hats are good. - Get ready to go up the daymn mtn. And I mean UP. - Have someone in the group that pays attn where y'all are going. :) It's at the far west end of the lake where there's a sharp turn on the road into the armpit of the mountain. Parking is available both north and south of the trailhead opening, but that's where you gotta come early to get creative on where you can park. After a terrifying crossing of road (we had littles as young as 5 yo in our group).. there's a clear map at the trailhead. Take a picture.. and make sure your cell phone is well charged for the gps feature.. just in case. You go UP the mountain. Pretty steep incline at the start. The littles in our group managed so it's doable.. but expect to take some breaks. Look for the stone trail markers (someone was kind enough to build chicken wire wrapped stone pillars to help you stay on the path). There were definitely moments when we off roaded a bit and got confused.. look for those pillars and you'll find yourself back on the correct trail. Castle rock.. after awhile.. everything looks like castle rock. I'm not even sure if we actually got to castle rock.. but there's a sign nailed onto the tree (you have to pay attention to see it.. else you can go right past it).. with a flat rock where you can take a break. It was haaaawt (85+ degree summer day) and with lots of kids.. we made it to the castle rock sign.. and then took the adventure back. Okay but all in all.. there are some killer views of big bear lake.. lots of fun rocks to climb.. trees to ease your soul.. and enough shade to make it a fun hike even in the heat. Definitely recommended.. but come prepared. We saw plenty of families and dogs on the hike.. even a family with a baby strapped in and two other little ones being dragged behind.. It was an adventure to remember. Thankfully we had great company to push us through and make it back safely. read more

We survived this hike! Fyi, there is NO PARKING LOT. You have to park on the side of the road on Big Bear Blvd. As for the entrance, you will see a sign that says "Castle Rock Trail" and more than likely there will be people walking into this rocky trail. I would say this hike is a moderate level. Most areas are steep, easy to get lost, and it is kind of difficult hiking in the snow, as the ground and rocks are icy, making it easy to slip... which happened a lot with me & my friends. But this hike is good for all ages, especially dogs, but make sure you are prepared with good shoes/boots and bring lots of water. I wasn't able to make it to the very top, but I was close. From everyone's reviews, the hike is WORTH IT! Beautiful views and a wonderful opportunity to take amazing photographs. It is really difficult to hike when there's snow so bring the right equipment and watch your step! read more

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Loved this trail. It was myself and my 13 y o dtr. 1st timers and managed our way up the rock and down. Not long at all. Took us about 1.5 hrs and that with stopping and taking pics. We also encounter other families with smaller kids and older adults too! Oh yea, there was a yellow rope that was left by someone to assist in climbing up the rock. That's how you know you've made it to Castle Rock! read more

Castle Rock Trail - On top of Castle rock! - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

Great trail if you're looking for an hour or two hike. The first half is pretty steep and has some definite butt building steps, so if you've got wonky knees or aren't that into hiking, this may not be the hike for you. We hiked to the top with they say is about a mile each way, we sat on top of a massive boulder and looked over the treetops and lake below, really beautiful! You'll have to look for free street parking on the highway, but you'll find some eventually. read more

This trail in the snow is beautiful!!!! Now for anyone looking to do this trail right now (2/25/21) there is snow and ice on the way up, if you don't have boots, it will be a little rough, not impossible. I had a buddy do it in vans and I was in running shoes. It's steepish, so you're going to get a little winded. Overall, this is by far, one of the most beautiful hikes and views you'll get. Please enjoy, less pictures and enjoy the moment read more

10-15 min hike to the top. Although, had to stop once to rest but was worth it ha. The view up there was just stunning ... Pics below read more

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This is a straight uphill challenge. You will be going up a Rocky, dirt trail for 1.2 miles and then turn around and go down that same trail. It's beautiful along the way with the trees and lake view. There's rock markers enclosed in wire to keep you on the correct trail. At the top, there's a camp ground and road so if you can't make it down, someone can go get you on you can drive up for fun. We saw several nice dogs asking the way and children to seniors hiking it. It's narrow in a few parts, but not dangerous. Bring double the water (2 bottles or about 32-40 ounces per person at least for the entire hike). read more

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All the reviews about the steep elevation at the beginning of the trail is absolutely correct! But also true are the many rock formations that allow for lots of hike breaks. The breathtaking view at the top is well worth the breathless climb that it takes to get there. It's not the easiest hike, but it's do-able for any recreational hiker. Even though parking is hit & miss, there were a couple turnouts along the highway 18 that allowed ample room for my SUV. Just be careful walking along the side of the highway and crossing it to get to the trail. The vehicles can speed pretty fast along the road. A seasoned hiker could hike this in an hour, but why rush the natural beauty all around. It took us (middle-aged couple + teen son) about 2.5 hours. Highly recommend this gem of a trail for all ages! read more

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This hike was recommended by a friend and it did not disappoint. It felt nice to drive up to the mountains where the air was crisp and there was nature around. I got lucky and the day I came it was crystal clear. The view was amazing. It can get chilly up here, so just check the weather before hand so that you can dress appropriately. PARKING: There is a small lot (probably fits no more than 10 cars) just pass the entrance for this hike. Saw some people park on the side of the road. I parked in the residential area. Looking back, I don't know if I was supposed to but I didn't get a ticket so yay! haha Short 2 mile hike round trip. Wear shoes with good traction, especially if you're interested in climbing to the top of Castle Rock. Don't worry, if you don't climb to the top there are plenty of other vantage points where good views can be seen (just not as high up obviously). Hike overall starts easy and then gradually gets harder due to the incline. Very do-able. Follow the signs to Castle Rock. A well-populated trail where you can always ask someone where to go if you get lost. This is not the most friendly hike to dogs (especially if youre planning to climb to top of rock). There are also a lot of rocks you have to climb over and under. Definitely not a smoothly paved hiking path. When you actually get to Castle Rock, you have to climb over rocks. There was a rope there which made climbing a lot more accessible! Shoutout to my boyfriend who was a genius and actually moved the rope from one side of the rock (where it was a straight vertical incline climb) to another side which had a crevice to climb over and more gradual rocks to step up gradually. The view from top is a beaut, enjoy it! read more

Parking is limited to the Main Street. The hike to Castle Rock is super fun. It is a short two mile round trip hike. You are able to add more miles to your hike by hiking around and to the various rock formations. The trail is good for all levels. It is very well marked as well. Currently no snow. A must do hike while visiting Big Bear. read more

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The address listed here on yelp takes you to a small lookout spot where about 4-6 cars can fit. If these spots are taken you'll have to drive a bit for parking. The trail starts near that look out spot where the highway curves. You have to cross the highway to reach the trail (so be careful!) I hiked this trail a few days ago. It wasn't snowing but it was snowing 5 days earlier. Because of all the photos on here, I thought there wouldn't be snow on the trail (since many places in big bear didn't have snow). But to my surprise, the whole trail was covered with snow and ice. Therefore during the winter season I would not recommend this trail to kids, or people with bad knees. The trail is fairly easy but my friends and I were falling all over the place. Especially on the way down, the area near the bottom of the trail is extremely slippery. What makes it worse is there are no markings to tell you where to go. So every once in awhile we clearly went off path because there would be untouched snow. Other then that the hike was easy, beautiful, and so much fun. My friends and I spent a few hours playing in the snow and climbing on rocks and taking lots of photos. read more

Castle Rock Trail - Hiking Near Me - Big Bear Lake, California

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really cool trail to hike in the Big Bear area. few things.... 1) not much parking, street parking if you can find any. 2) good for beginners 3) not very long, maybe 1-2 miles 4) not very steep, but a good about of climbing and descending 5) well marked trail 6) great views we had a great time hiking this trail, the kids were able to do it. its good for younger kids and adults alike. i would hike this trail again. read more

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We wanted a quick nearby hike to end our weekend and a friend recommended Castle Rock. Just up the street from our Airbnb on the lake, this trail gave us a great workout with the reward of scenic views at the top. Our little group loved it! Be warned: Parking is a nightmare. You're forced to find an open spot along Big Bear Blvd. around winding turns, and we had to loop back around at the dam at one point, but on our way back down, we lucked out and got a spot just past the trailhead. I don't know how folks park much farther than 20 or so feet from the entrance since you have to walk along the busy road with virtually no pedestrian space, so be careful! Also be warned: This is a steep hike. It's very, very short, but the entirety is steep uphill climbing. The trail itself is nicely laid out and maintained, with easily visible paths for walking up despite the natural elements that make it a tricky climb at first, but you get into a good groove, taking ample breaks to avoid letting the altitude get the best of ya. It's narrow, but there's always a spot to "pull over" and let others pass comfortably. I'm a fairly comfortable hiker, but I needed several breaks on our way up due to the thinness of the air. Aside from these factors, the hike is sublime! Gorgeous natural setting, plus lots of viewpoints once you get to the top after the mile-or-so trek up. Once you're at Castle Rock itself, the trail flattens out so that you can wander around the large rock formations to find other great views. We lucked out a lot on our just-before-sunset hike on an early December weekend (temps in the 40s, clear skies) but you can't go wrong with this one! I'd say that, if you're a nervous driver or uncomfortable with intense incline hikes, maybe pass on it, but my 50-something mom, who is both of these things, managed fairly well! Just take your time. read more

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Way too crowded. Nothing special if you come all the way to Big Bear. The eagle preserve in Fawn Skin is way better and more natural. read more

A relatively short hike up and back though the pine trees and rock formations. Because this is only a mile each way, it's perfect for those people that want to experience a trail without getting wiped out tired. The initial climb up can be a a bit strenuous if you're not acclimated to the altitude. You will be be rewarded a nice breeze when you push through the initial climb so look forward to it. Eventually you'll see the Castle Rock, you'll know it when you see it. Too bad there wasn't a better vantage point to capture more photos. I recommend Castle Rock trail when visiting Big Bear Lake.. - Lots of slippery gravel and sand, wear appropriate shoes. - Keep a keen eye for the arrow signs on trees. Without them you'll likely get lost. - Park on the street and walk to the trail. - Kid friendly if they wear the right shoes. read more

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