You may think that Big Bear is just a winter ski destination, and it’s certainly known for that. But think again! Big Bear is a year-round destination for everyone who loves vacationing at a scenic Alpine lake. With mildly warm days (average highs are around 78 degrees) and cool nights, Big Bear is a great spot for a Big Bear summer journey enjoying all the outdoor activities you love to do in the summer.
Cycling and Mountain Biking
For anyone serious about road cycling and mountain biking, Big Bear is the place to be. Enjoy exciting downhill trails and over 100 miles of cross-country, single-tracks and Forest Service roads. Whether you’re an advanced rider or just beginning to learn, and whether you’re a mountain bike enthusiast wanting to ride dusty single-tracks or a cyclist looking for altitude and challenging rides, there are plenty of routes and trails to be found here in Big Bear.
A popular mountain bike trail, Skyline Ridge, offers some of the best scenery, as does Grand View Loop and Plantation Trail. Pick up a free map at the visitor’s center and head out on your own, or head to Snow Summit’s Bike Park. Take the chairlift up the mountain, enjoying the scenery as you go, then hit the trail! The Bike Park has banked turns, bridges, and a wide variety of set ups. The guys at the park are constantly altering and adding new trails to keep things exciting.
Hiking & Wildlife
One of the great things about being in the mountains, is breathing in that crisp, cool, clean mountain air. There are plenty of trails in and around Big Bear and the San Bernardino Forest for all experience levels and of various lengths. Hiking along the mountain and lake trails is a great way to see the local wildlife, so keep your eyes (and ears) peeled for deer, coyotes, chipmunks and squirrels, raccoons, wild burros, and the occasional gray fox, cougar, and black bear.
It may take you a day or two to get acclimated to the altitude, so pick your hikes carefully. Start with the Alpine Pedal Path is a popular, paved, accessible, easy trail running along a part of the lake edge. A few other trails to try are the accessible Happy Hills Trail, Castle Rock Trail, Pine Knot Trail, Skyline Trail, and Cougar Crest Trail. They all offer great views of the lake and surrounding San Bernardino Mountains.
Get Out on the Water
If you’ve rented one of our Big Bear lakefront cabins for rent, you’ll be that much closer to all the Big Bear things to do in the summer you’ve been craving all year. Many of these rentals have private docks or access to docks where you can spend time catching lunch or tie up a rented canoe. There are plenty of public spots to get that kayak, paddleboard or boat out on the water too. So rent that kayak, canoe, paddleboard, jet ski or whatever from a local marina and just get out on the water. Water ski, wakeboarding or tubing, you can do it all. Just brace yourself for that cold mountain lake water!
Take a Tour
Take a guided tour of Big Bear Lake on a paddlewheel or pontoon boat (also available for rentals), or even the Big Bear Pirate Ship, the Time Bandit. Yes, a pirate ship. Featured in the movie Time Bandits, the ship has made its way to Big Bear Lake and offers a fun tour of the lake.
Try a tour with a different perspective – a helicopter tour. Helicopter Big Bear has 10 different exciting copter tours of routes and various flight times. Personalize your helicopter ride and see the landmarks you want to see from area lakes, the Mojave Desert, Santa Ana Canyon, and more. Get some great Instagram worthy pics while enjoying your exciting ride.
Bear Mountain & Snow Summit
This popular ski resort offers plenty of things to do even when there’s no snow on the ground in Big Bear summer. Play a round or two on the Bear Mountain Golf Course. Nestled at the base of Bear Mountain at the ski resort, this 9-hole, par 35-course is lined with old-growth ponderosa pines and the San Bernardino Mountains as a beautiful backdrop. Hike scenic mountain trails, bike the exciting dirt trails on the Summit Bike Park, or stay at Basecamp where you can try your hand at the 30-foot rock climbing wall, trampoline, and the zip line. Or take things easy and just go for a scenic ride on Snow Summit’s Scenic Sky Chair where you’ll be treated to a beautiful panoramic view of Big Bear.
Fun Big Bear Things to Do in Summer
You’ll find plenty of Big Bear things to do in summer to enjoy the Alpine beauty while on your summer vacation. Whether you spend all your time out on dusty single tracks or lazily floating on Big Bear Lake, we have the perfect lakefront Big Bear homes for rent for your stay. Give us a call today!
