The Stanfield Preserve Boardwalk is an easy-to-navigate trail located on the east end of Big Bear…read moreLake. This boardwalk stretches across a protected wetland area, providing a unique opportunity to experience the region's diverse flora and fauna up close. The boardwalk is relatively flat and well-maintained, making it accessible to visitors of all ages and fitness levels and it's dog friendly. Just be aware of bikers. The boardwalk is open from dawn to dusk and offers ample time to explore at your own pace. Parking is available nearby, and there are several access points to the boardwalk. We parked for free in a lot at the west end of the boardwalk.

I enjoy this trail! It's a flat walk along the lake with beautiful views, especially when the…read moreweather is nice! There is a parking lot here but it can get full, so many cars are usually park along the street. What I like about this place in particular is that all ages can do it & you can walk as far or little as you'd like. Great little treasure in Big Bear!

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 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 .

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

This is a great area if you are looking for a small playground and a place to have lunch. There are…read morepicnic tables not under any shade, but there are a lot of big trees around, so if you play it right you might get some tree cover. The playground is small and designed for kids 5-12, but my two and four year olds had no trouble with it. There are restrooms and a sizable parking lot.

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.

This is a simple, beginner-friendly trail that's perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy a "hike"…read morewithout venturing into the deep wilderness or breaking much of a sweat. It's essentially a 1.5-mile loop in a pleasant forest setting - nice enough scenery, but as far as mountain trails go, don't expect anything too amazing. That said, it serves its purpose well. It's easy to walk, reasonably well maintained, and accessible for just about anyone. The trail is mostly level with only minor uphill and downhill sections, so there's no real elevation gain to speak of. Since it's so short, you're never far from the parking lot or the highway around Big Bear Lake, which is right there, so it feels very safe and low-commitment. This is a decent option for families with young kids, older folks, or anyone just looking to stretch their legs and get a little fresh air after being cooped up in the car. It won't challenge experienced hikers, but if you're in the Big Bear area and want to take a quick, easy stroll through the trees, it scratches that itch nicely. 3.79 stars rounded up to 4.

The Woodland trail is about 1.5 mile loop with some lookout points…read more When it is cold outside and a lot of the trails have frozen patches including the woodland trail. The difference is that this trail is relatively flat and it's hard to skid. Parking out front and you must bring your parks pass or buy a day pass. The National Parks pass also works. They do come in the lots and check for a pass. Park on the street at your own risk. People tend to speed when they can out there. There is also a bathroom at the parking lot too. It's not a bad hike at all and easy to do.