Gorgeous trail in an area of the forest that is recovering from the Bridge Fire in 2024. While it's…read moreshocking to see so many burnt trees, it's also cool to see signs of life emerging from the ashes. There were many pine seedlings to be found along the trail and lots of wildflowers called "fire-followers" that actually require and benefit from the fire to bloom. To find the trailhead, look for the Big Pines Visitor Center. The parking lot for the trail is right across the street and the standard Adventure Pass is required to park in this lot (thank goodness, it is not part of the Mountain High Ski Resort cabal, so you don't have to buy the "Big Pines" parking pass as well.) It was a bit tricky to find the actual trailhead, as it's a few feet away from the parking lot. The parking lot does have restrooms as well as ADA parking available. The trail itself is very well maintained and offers stunning views. It's pretty much uphill all the way to the Blue Ridge Campsite and (of course) downhill all the way back. It's mostly in the shade but can get warm, so make sure you have plenty of water and snacks. Look for fungi, mariposa lilies, butterflies, squirrels and birds. Highly recommended!

The good: I came on a Tuesday and it was completely empty…read moreand serene. We came with our almost 3 year old but we carried him most of the time. The trail was mostly shaded and there were creeks with running water. We saw blue jays, chipmunks, squirrels, woodpecker and other birds. It was breezy with nice views of the mountains and far out in the canyon areas. The bad: We didn't get to finish the trail because we had a toddler. I think there were only 2 parking spots. I am not sure if there were other areas you can park. It was just on the dirt by the campgrounds sign. The interesting: Lots of the trees were burnt and fallen over. We saw red plants and some interesting mushroom growing on the trees. Some areas of the trail are more narrow with a sloping hill off to the side so be careful if you're coming with kids.

This review is for the hiking trail itself; I didn't quite make it all the way to the mine, which I…read morehad heard burned up in the recent fires anyway. The trailhead leads off from the Vincent Gap parking lot; but don't park there! Park on the street to avoid paying the ridiculous Big Pines Recreation Concession scam to give more money to Mountain HIgh Resort (even if you already paid for an Adventure Pass through Angeles National Forest, you're supposed to pay these fat cats. No.) This trail is absolutely gorgeous and a less strenuous option to the Mount Baden-Powell trail nearby. Hiking in August, I was surprised by how many flowers were still in bloom. The trail itself is wide and well-maintained for *most* of the way; however, there are a couple of spots where the trail crosses a scree field and caution is necessary. There are many gorgeous views to be seen along the way. Really a stunning hike. Take lots of water, snacks, bug spray and be safe.

Big Horn Mine is a nice escape from the city, without having to travel too far…read more All trails will have you thinking it's a difficult hike, when the main thing to keep in mind is that you need to dress appropriately. Wear hiking boots/shoes and this will be a breeze. The recent fires still show some burn scars and lack of shade, so ideally get in/out before early afternoon. Other than that it's lovely.

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 good: They have an adaptive swing. The seesaw for four…read morewas fun for adults with kids. There's several climbing structures and two different playground areas for different ages. I liked that the park had lots of benches and shade. There were four slides and 5 (?) swings. The bad: My kids wore Crocs so the tanbark got uncomfortable in their shoes so make sure to wear sneakers and socks! The interesting: My kids didn't want to leave! The seesaw is pretty tall.

The park itself has a ton of toys for the kids-rock climbing wall, swings, playground, etc. set in…read morethe heart of downtown Wrightwood. It's in great condition and clean. There are some tables, not many, and porter potty bathrooms. The park feels a bit crammed like everything is on top of each other but there's a lot of toys for kids in a small space.

Peaceful here could use more water but perfect for fishing or just relaxing will be back soonread more

I came here a few months ago when the weather was better. The drive from Asuza was very nice and…read morequiet in the early morning. There are plenty of pull outs to get off and to take some photos. Don't drive too fast because there's a lot of bikers on the road. To get to the lake, park at the lot and walk past the yellow bollard. It's a nice place to walk and to enjoy the scenery.

Boulder Bay Park is one of Big Bear Lake's most picturesque (and busy) spots, offering stunning…read moreviews of the lake, towering boulders, and plenty of open space for you and your dog to enjoy. Located on the western side of Big Bear Lake, this park is a popular destination for both locals and visitors, particularly those looking to enjoy a peaceful and leisurely walk with their pets, a picnic, or just some quiet time by the water. There is a free parking lot adjacent to the park, but it can fill up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. If the lot is full, there is additional street parking available nearby. The park is open year-round, but the best times to visit are during the spring, summer, and fall when the weather is mild, and the lake is at its most beautiful.

It's a nice park to go swimming, have a picnic, stroll around, go fishing, and just lounge enjoying…read morethe gorgeous lake view. We made a quick spot to check it out since it seems very popular every time we pass by. Best to visit in the morning before it gets crowded by afternoon. Parking is free, but can get busy later in the day. As we walked around, there was a weird unbearable smell so we didn't stay long. We mainly went to see what the hype was all about and took some pictures with a beautiful background.

Nice park near my house, has a lot of different areas of activities: basketball courts, tennis…read morecourts, volleyball court, shaded children's playground, 4 baseball diamonds, soccer field that also doubles as football field. There are picnic tables and bbqs throughout the park, a track lines the perimeter and there's also a vending machine library. I really enjoy walking my dog there. With the new builds in the area the park has gotten super busy, but still a great place to visit.

Sunset Ridge Park is easily one of the nicest parks in the High Desert! It's always so clean and…read morewell-maintained, which I really appreciate. They recently added one of those cool library vending machines, and I love that touch--it makes the park feel even more welcoming and community-focused. The playground is great, the baseball fields are well-kept, and it's the perfect place to walk, relax, or hang out with family. It's definitely my favorite park in the area. If I had one suggestion, it would be to add a trash can and hand dryers inside the restroom. Other than that, I just hope people continue to take care of it--it's such a beautiful space and it deserves to stay that way!

It was a cool idea but, the timing wasn't perfect. We decided to go out for the evening and visit…read moreBig Bear in late January. It's the thought and laughter that counts.

I had no expectations of this place prior to showing up, but overall if you're looking for a snow…read moretubing place for your kids, this could be a good place. We came on a weekday a few days before Christmas and it was still fairly open. There were plenty of different size tubes and they seemed to be in OK shape. My 6 year old had no problem going up the stairs and coming down himself. They have staff at the bottom yelling at your if you get too close to the tubers or if you don't move fast enough to get out of the way. Bring cash! The line for the ATM was long and I heard it's slow. One hour was more than enough for my kid

Great group site. There are 6 running toilets with a hose bib outside to wash hands. The site has…read moretons of shade and picnic tables and a fire pit. There is a 3.5 mile downhill bike to Jackson lake. The observatory is a 10 minute walk from the campsite and offers great views.

I would agree with everything the previous reviewer said. This place is is private since you have…read moreto unload your stuff and then go park your car in the lot 250 yards away. The group sites are for 40 people but realistically can fit about 20 people comfortably. There is a BBQ, Fire pit, huge long tables and flush toilets. There are a couple of short hikes from the site that offer great views, but nothing too hard core, so if you're looking to hike through, this probably would not be the place for you. The host is a nice old man who is good about enforcing quiet hours, but is lenient at the same time. Quiet doesn't mean complete quiet :) This place is good for one or two nights, but anything more would be a stretch.

It's up and down. Can be a little tough going up. I am a beginner and manage to make it throughread more

I've been hiking in this area for a few years. I started out with the short loop trail then…read moreadvanced to the Devil's Punchbowl trail, and then yesterday completed the Devil's Chair trail. I didn't know about the Chair trail until recently. I found that with the short loop trail, since it was reasonably close to the ranger station, the reception was okay. While hiking the Devil's Punchbowl trail there was hardly any reception. I have Verizon as my carrier. The Devil's Chair Trail had great reception. I was able to periodically text my family and update them, letting them know I was okay. When hiking I use Spotify and ensure my songs are downloaded so even offline I can listen to music. This also works well when I want to listen to Audiobooks I've downloaded. The Chair trail was quiet, there wasn't anyone else on the trail or even much wildlife besides lizards and some insects. It wasn't bad at all. The trail was pretty well maintained with some areas needing extra support. Shout-out to the employees who ensured the steep cliffs and the Devil's Chair Trail were safe to walk on. The Chair itself is on a rock so someone had to get there and install the fencing for safety. Thank you, whoever you are! As with many other trails in Southern California there is some fire damage. Some fallen trees. This trail has A LOT of rocks so step gingerly and don't roll your ankles. Most of the trail is not covered so sunscreen/sunblock and proper gear is really important. The trail is roughly 3-5 hours. I clocked about 3 hours 55 minutes moving time on Strava but 4 hours 28 minutes total on AllTrails. I stopped a bit to catch my breath, get water and just observe nature. Everyone says it's a 7 mile trail. I'm not sure what I did but it was 9 miles for me. I am blessed to have been able to enjoy it.