Things to Do in Big Bear Lake
Year-Round Mountain Activities
All online purchases must be made at least 1 day in advance prior to arrival.
Whether you're coming for a weekend visit and are looking for things to do after a day on the mountain, or you're the only non-snowboarder or mountain biker in your group, you'll find plenty of fun off the hill as well. From cozy restaurants and live entertainment, to shopping and other recreational fun all year long, you'll find it here. If you're looking for family activities on storm days or after the sun sets, there's plenty of options to keep you entertained.
Check out the 2026 Big Bear Lake Visitors Magazine.
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Top-Rated Things to Do in Town
San Bernardino National Forest
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Big Bear Lake's Village
Shopping, Dining, & Entertainment
The Big Bear Village is the central hub with over 120 local vendors. Stroll through The Village every season to enjoy holiday festivities during the winter, colorful flowers in the spring and summer, and breathtaking warm autumn colors in the fall.
The Big Bear Village is the central hub with over 120 local vendors. Stroll through The Village every season to enjoy holiday festivities during the winter, colorful flowers in the spring and summer, and breathtaking warm autumn colors in the fall.
Visitors Center
One-Stop Shop for Info on Big Bear Lake
The Big Bear Visitors Center is located in heart of The Village in Big Bear Lake, CA. Stop by for information on things to do in town. Information is provided by friendly Big Bear locals who know the ins and outs of what’s happening Big Bear.
The Big Bear Visitors Center is located in heart of The Village in Big Bear Lake, CA. Stop by for information on things to do in town. Information is provided by friendly Big Bear locals who know the ins and outs of what’s happening Big Bear.
Ski & Snowboard
Season: November - March/April
Experience the best skiing and snowboarding that Southern California has to offer. From lessons and rentals to competitions and race, Big Bear Mountain Resort is home to some of the most innovative and influential terrain parks in the industry.
Experience the best skiing and snowboarding that Southern California has to offer. From lessons and rentals to competitions and race, Big Bear Mountain Resort is home to some of the most innovative and influential terrain parks in the industry.
Escape Rooms
Clues, Mysteries, Puzzles, & More
Experience a thrilling team-based game where participants discover clues, complete tasks, and more in order to escape a room in a limited amount of time.
Experience a thrilling team-based game where participants discover clues, complete tasks, and more in order to escape a room in a limited amount of time.
Alpine Slide & Bobsledding
Season: Open Year-Round
Big Bear offers two inner tubing slides catered to all ages.
Big Bear offers two inner tubing slides catered to all ages.
Big Bear Alpine Zoo
Season: Open Year-Round
Highlighted as one of two Alpine zoos in the United States, the Big Bear Alpine Zoo specializes in rehab and release of local Alpine species and also has a permanent collection of animals in their zoo.
Highlighted as one of two Alpine zoos in the United States, the Big Bear Alpine Zoo specializes in rehab and release of local Alpine species and also has a permanent collection of animals in their zoo.
Horseback Riding
Season: Spring - Fall*
Experience the beauty of Big Bear from a great vantage point - on horseback.
* A few outliers that are open all year.
Experience the beauty of Big Bear from a great vantage point - on horseback.
* A few outliers that are open all year.
Big Bear Discovery Center
Learn About the San Bernardino National Forest
The Big Bear Discovery Center is an educational and informational portal to the San Bernardino National Forest, located within the heart of Big Bear Valley. The goal of Big Bear Discovery Center is to create awareness on becoming more responsible caretakers of our national forests while increasing our enjoyment and knowledge of the great outdoors.
The Big Bear Discovery Center is an educational and informational portal to the San Bernardino National Forest, located within the heart of Big Bear Valley. The goal of Big Bear Discovery Center is to create awareness on becoming more responsible caretakers of our national forests while increasing our enjoyment and knowledge of the great outdoors.
Snow Tubing
Season: December - March
Great for snow enthusiasts for all ages, the Grizzly Ridge Tube Park is fun for everyone. Skip the hiking and take a magic carpet to the top of the Tube Park, then slide down as fast as you can in one of our high-speed snow tubes.
Great for snow enthusiasts for all ages, the Grizzly Ridge Tube Park is fun for everyone. Skip the hiking and take a magic carpet to the top of the Tube Park, then slide down as fast as you can in one of our high-speed snow tubes.
The Bowling Barn
16 Bowling Lanes
The Bowling Barn is open daily offering a state-of-the-art bowling scoring system, snacks, full bar, and more.
The Bowling Barn is open daily offering a state-of-the-art bowling scoring system, snacks, full bar, and more.
Helicopter Tours
Explore Big Bear Lake
Enjoy a scenic aerial adventure above the mountains from the vantage point of a helicopter cockpit. Witness the beauty of the Big Bear Valley and surrounding San Bernardino Mountains all year round.
Enjoy a scenic aerial adventure above the mountains from the vantage point of a helicopter cockpit. Witness the beauty of the Big Bear Valley and surrounding San Bernardino Mountains all year round.
Camping
Season: Open Year-Round
From RV parks to tent camping, San Bernardino National Forest offers several campsites in Big Bear.
From RV parks to tent camping, San Bernardino National Forest offers several campsites in Big Bear.
Oktoberfest
Season: September -October/November
Big Bear Lake's Oktoberfest offers a unique experience at 7,000 feet. Enjoy live music, German food, games, contests, a children's fun-zone, and a vendor village.
Big Bear Lake's Oktoberfest offers a unique experience at 7,000 feet. Enjoy live music, German food, games, contests, a children's fun-zone, and a vendor village.
Golf
Season: May - October
Make time for nine at Bear Mountain Golf Course and enjoy the benefits of playing at 7,000 feet with the sun-splashed San Bernardino Mountains as your backdrop.
Make time for nine at Bear Mountain Golf Course and enjoy the benefits of playing at 7,000 feet with the sun-splashed San Bernardino Mountains as your backdrop.
Water Sports on Big Bear Lake
Season: April - October
Big Bear Lake offers 23 miles of water activities including paddle boarding, pontoon boating, sailing, wakeboarding, kayaking, and much more. Boats and equipment can be rented at any one of the marinas.
Big Bear Lake offers 23 miles of water activities including paddle boarding, pontoon boating, sailing, wakeboarding, kayaking, and much more. Boats and equipment can be rented at any one of the marinas.
Fishing in Big Bear Lake
Season: April - October
Let the rod and reel do all the work as you sip a cold beverage and wait for fish to nibble on the bait. Learn more about fish that can be found in Big Bear Lake and the best spots to catching them.
Let the rod and reel do all the work as you sip a cold beverage and wait for fish to nibble on the bait. Learn more about fish that can be found in Big Bear Lake and the best spots to catching them.
Mountain Biking
Season: June - October
Big Bear Mountain Resort is home to Southern California’s best lift-served bike park with an extensive network of trails and terrain for riders of all disciplines and abilities. Whether you’re new to the mountain bike scene, or a seasoned rider, Snow Summit is the place to be for all things MTB this summer.
Big Bear Mountain Resort is home to Southern California’s best lift-served bike park with an extensive network of trails and terrain for riders of all disciplines and abilities. Whether you’re new to the mountain bike scene, or a seasoned rider, Snow Summit is the place to be for all things MTB this summer.
Zip Lining, Rock Climbing, & More
Season: June - October
Come enjoy a summer of family fun at the ultimate mountain playground, located in the base area at Snow Summit. Basecamp activities feature a 30-foot climbing wall, Euro Bungee, zip line, and more. There's something for outdoor adventurers of all ages.
Come enjoy a summer of family fun at the ultimate mountain playground, located in the base area at Snow Summit. Basecamp activities feature a 30-foot climbing wall, Euro Bungee, zip line, and more. There's something for outdoor adventurers of all ages.
Big Bear Speedway
Season: April - October
Get your race on with up to 30 MPH at the outdoor Go Kart racing course.
Get your race on with up to 30 MPH at the outdoor Go Kart racing course.