After much trial and error and a few discussions with friends and coworkers, I’ve found that the best way to experience Big Bear during winter is to simply just pull off to the side of the road and jump into the snow! Winter brings in busy crowds and bumper to bumper traffic. If you aren’t planning a visit to Snow Summit or only have a day to spare, head up to Big Bear early in the morning and visit one of the hiking trails instead. It is definitely worth it and makes for a great experience!

Castle Rock

One of my favorite hiking trails in Big Bear is Castle Rock. It’s a short hike to the top, but can be a little tricky with the snow. So come prepared! Any shoes with good grip will do, but always take caution as slippery spots can be deceiving. If you’re not experienced or don’t have the proper gear, stick to the trails as those will be the easiest to navigate since this hiking area is filled with hills. You don’t want to wander too far and get stuck in deep snow.

I’d also be more careful on the inclines as those tend to get a little more iced over and slushy, at least when I visited. Castle Rock is extremely beautiful any time of year! However, we didn’t hike up to the very top in the winter as it got difficult, but you can still have tons of fun on this trail.

The trail entrance to Castle Rock isn’t that noticeable and parking is very limited. However, it is a great spot to visit. Big Bear is quite popular, but try and find a time when it isn’t too busy in this area! There is lots to explore and the snow is just deep enough at the entence to play around in without being too alarming. Find some soft snow and have a snowball fight!

Big Bear City is only a few minutes away from the hiking trail. After exploring, grab a bite and hot drink in town! There are some easier flat trails to walk right by the lake such as Boulder Bay Park or Alpine Pedal Path Trail. Whatever you decide, you’re bound to have a great time!

Other Big Bear Activites

Learn something new at the Discover Center!

Visit Big Bear Alpine Zoo.

Check out the shops in The Village.

Glow Tubing at Alpine Slide or Big Bear Snow Play.

Ice-skating at Bowling Barn.

Find specialty gifts at Bear Essentials.

Satisfy your sweet tooth at North Pole Sweets.

Need some caffeine? Try Big Bear Coffee Roasting!

Relax and enjoy!