Recreation

Summer hikes, winter snowshoeing, off-highway adventures, or stargazing with an astronomer—recreation is the engine behind millions of visits per year to the National Forest.

Our forests are within recreational driving distance of 10% of the nation’s population. With more than 25 million people closer than four hours, our National Forest has more visitors every year than both Yellowstone and Yosemite combined. These are the most populated and recreated in 671,000 acres in the National Forest entire system. It takes the efforts of more than 1,000 trained volunteers plus the staff of both the National Forest Association and the Forest Service to serve the needs of visitors. The Forest Association is at the heart of making sure our love affair with the forest doesn’t mean we love it to death. Our recreation programs teach respect for the forest and the forest environment, stewardship, and deliver hands-on fun.

Outdoor Adventures

Hiking and Biking
The National Forest surrounding the Big Bear Valley and Lake Arrowhead Village offers hundreds of miles of some of the most beautiful and serene hiking and mountain-biking trails in all of Southern California. Trail types range from easy family day hikes to extended and more challenging backpacking expeditions. Some trails offer both. Big Bear Valley is also home to 39 of the 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail that takes backpackers from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada, while our local sections of it also make for ideal day hikes.

Trail Maps

Picnics and Camping
Six campgrounds and three picnic areas offer a base for everything from day hikes to outdoor getaways.

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	Hiking and Biking Trail Maps Picnics and Camping Summer Concert Series Events	Home \| Back Recreation Summer hikes, winter snowshoeing, off-highway adventures, or stargazing with an astronomer—recreation is the engine behind millions of visits per year to the National Forest. Our forests are within recreational driving distance of 10% of the nation’s population. With more than 25 million people closer than four hours, our National Forest has more visitors every year than both Yellowstone and Yosemite combined. These are the most populated and recreated in 671,000 acres in the National Forest entire system. It takes the efforts of more than 1,000 trained volunteers plus the staff of both the National Forest Association and the Forest Service to serve the needs of visitors. The Forest Association is at the heart of making sure our love affair with the forest doesn’t mean we love it to death. Our recreation programs teach respect for the forest and the forest environment, stewardship, and deliver hands-on fun. Outdoor Adventures Hiking and Biking The National Forest surrounding the Big Bear Valley and Lake Arrowhead Village offers hundreds of miles of some of the most beautiful and serene hiking and mountain-biking trails in all of Southern California. Trail types range from easy family day hikes to extended and more challenging backpacking expeditions. Some trails offer both. Big Bear Valley is also home to 39 of the 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail that takes backpackers from the border of Mexico to the border of Canada, while our local sections of it also make for ideal day hikes. Trail Maps Picnics and Camping Six campgrounds and three picnic areas offer a base for everything from day hikes to outdoor getaways.