I’m always the first to say it “I can’t wait for fall” The oranges, yellows and reds of the Big Bear Valley make late September into October my favorite time of year in Big Bear Lake. This year is nothing but nothing but frustrating for this autumn lover. Due to the ongoing effects of the Line Fire, the entire San Bernardino National Forest is closed basically all autumn long!
What is the outdoor lover to do?
It’s just not autumn if a headless horseman with a pumpkin for a head is not cantering through the Big Bear Valley heralding “The forest is closed! The forest is closed!” Or maybe I’ve just had one too many Pumpkin Spiced White Russians. Because obviously when the San Bernardino National Forest is closed all autumn, the only thing left to do is sit on the front porch in the dappled sunlight and sip on a pumpkin spice spiked beverage. Right?
I swear there may be a few other delightful autumn activities you can do with or without man’s best friend to enjoy the splendor of our national forest without actually going out into the forest closure area and risking a six thousand dollar ticket. Yes, most of the acreage of the San Bernardino National Forest may be closed to off-roading, camping, mountain biking and hiking but you can still enjoy the grandeur of autumn this October here in Big Bear Lake.
One thing about the San Bernardino National Forest closure; holy shit, if you brag on social media you went on a glorious fall colors hike this a.m. everyone on The Facebook will yell at you! Even people who have lived in Big Bear for twenty years do not realize that we actually have a few hidden hiking trails that are actually on private property. These trails are perfectly okay to hike during this forest closure. But where the hell are these precious trails? Calm down, Karen in the Big Bear community Facebook group, I’ll fill you in on these hidden mountain treasures.
A fall colors neighborhood walk
We have some just gorgeous neighborhoods here in the Big Bear Valley for walking. Take your favorite pooch for a fall colors walk in a neighborhood like Fox Farm or Eagle Point. These neighborhoods are full of stunning homes with beautifully crafted gardens. You can enjoy all the colors of fall as you waltz your pup down the sidewalks and get your steps in for the day. Did you know that maple and aspen trees are not native to California? All the Princeton Gold and Autumn Glory Maples you see turning shades of silver green and burnt orange in different Big Bear Lake neighborhoods were trucked in from East Coast nurseries. When you trek the trails of Big Bear Lake, sure, you can see Black Oak trees turning dazzling shades of gold and orange in October but you won’t see any native maples, aspens or poplars in southern California. Taking a little walk through neighborhoods like the ones near Upper Moonridge gives you a taste of those East Coast fall colors in all these beautifully manicured neighborhoods.
Go for a hike on privately owned property (Without trespassing of course)
Of course, you might want to just get your sneakers out into the pine needle-covered trails of the Big Bear Valley. Hiking is after all about grounding with Mother Earth and getting your feet in the dirt. Yes, there are a few trails you can still trek in Big Bear Lake even with the forest closure. But you have to know which trails they are specifically. And you have to know where you can park without getting a ticket. The Pebble Plains Trail system is an area in Big Bear Lake owned by a land trust and therefore not national forest land. It’s also an excellent place to see Big Bear Lake’s wild burros! I like to park off of Gold Mountain to enjoy these trails but there is also parking in the Moonridge area off of Klamath. This area does get some excellent fall colors but not usually until early October. There are many different trails and loops in this area. It’s hard to know which is the best hike. Ready for adventure? Are you confused about which trails to trek? Book a fall colors hiking tour with Big Bear Lake’s premier hiking guide, The Hungry Mountaineer!
In late October the Maple Ridge area gets some great fall colors. Even though the San Bernardino National Forest may be currently closed, the Maple Ridge outdoor area is owned by a land trust and therefore, doesn’t count in this national forest closure. However, parking at Maple Ridge is extremely limited.
Sky Park at Santas’ Village is another great place you can go for a hike without being on national forest land. Their Meadowlands Conservation Trail is a short but scenic trail. Sky Park is a great place for all kinds of outdoor adventures. They are very well known for their mountain bike park as well.
There are so many great outdoor activities in Big Bear Lake, even without entering national forest land. Take your pup on a Harbor Swim Date with a little charcuterie lunch catered by Big Bear Lake’s Pop-Up Picnic Queen herself!
Fall cycling around the Big Bear Lake Valley
The cycling in the autumn in Big Bear Lake is just so beautiful. Unfortunately, you are not allowed
to mountain bike any of the best trails right now, like 2N10 under a canopy of yellow oak leaves, or the downhill at Pine Knot in a stunning butterscotch Black Oak forest. Nope. So where can you bike in Big Bear Lake when even the pedal path is closed to biking (Yes, this too falls on national forest land) The whole neighborhood of Eagle Point is so pretty to cycle around in the fall. I also love to bike around Baldwin Lake. For road cycling their tends to not be too much traffic in these areas. Upper Moonridge is great for cycling but it is very hilly and quite the workout.
- Enjoy a PSL outdoors at Moonridge Coffee.
Moonridge Coffee’s outdoor patio is so peaceful (And yes, also pup-friendly) It’s a great place to relax with a good book, and your favorite pup and enjoy all the colors of autumn in Big Bear Lake.
- Oktoberfest? Yes!
Not in the coffee mood? How about our fantastic outdoor Oktoberfest here in Big Bear Lake? Prost! Well, the national forest may be closed but that does not mean you can’t sit outside in a fake Munich village, drink a pint and dream about when the trails will open again. Did you know that Big Bear Lake has the best Oktoberfest anywhere in southern California? This festive outdoor beer garden setting is a great area to relax and enjoy a Paulineer (Or two!)
Kayaking or boating on Big Bear Lake
This autumn Big Bear Lake is experiencing one hell of
an Indian summer. All late September the highs have been almost eighty degrees with little to no wind. This is the perfect Indian summer weather for enjoying the beauty of this southern California alpine lake in the fall! Kayaking and boating is best in the a.m. Being an alpine lake, Big Bear Lake does tend to get a touch windy in the afternoon.
Even with the natural forest closure, you can find so many different activities in Big Bear Lake all autumn long!
- Walk the village and buy a fall sweater!
- You can find all the colors of fall in Big Bear Village!
- End your village adventure with an authentic veal brat from the Old German Deli.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to Big Bear in the fall.