Big Bear Lake
Reservoir Forest-ringed mountain lake and year-round resort town
Mountain resort lake in California’s San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear Lake offers skiing nearby in winter, plus boating, hiking and mountain lodging in summer.
Big Bear Lake is a reservoir and resort lake in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California, forming the centre of the community of Big Bear Lake. It functions as a year-round recreational destination for boating, fishing and access to nearby ski areas.
The lake is set within the San Bernardino National Forest and is flanked by towns and resort facilities that support tourism and outdoor recreation. In summer it is widely used for water sports and fishing; in winter the adjacent slopes host alpine skiing and snowboarding.
The lake is a man-made reservoir with a dam and has been the focus of recreational development since the early 20th century. It lies within San Bernardino County in a mountain setting east of the greater Los Angeles area.
- Recreation: Popular for year-round recreation - boating and fishing in summer, and nearby ski areas offering winter sports.
- Setting: The lake is a managed reservoir within San Bernardino National Forest and is surrounded by the towns of Big Bear Lake and Big Bear City.
How to Get to Big Bear Lake #
Big Bear Lake is a mountain resort on the San Bernardino Mountains east of the Los Angeles area. By car it is about 100 miles (≈160 km) east of central Los Angeles - common routes are I‑10 to CA‑38 (from the south) or I‑15 to CA‑18 (from the west/north). From San Bernardino it is a shorter drive (around 40-45 miles). Once in the Big Bear town area, the lake and shoreline are walkable from parking areas and lodgings.
Tips for Visiting Big Bear Lake #
- To avoid heavy weekend traffic on the mountain roads into Big Bear, aim for a midweek morning arrival or travel after the morning commute on weekdays.
- Head to the North Shore access points if you want quieter waters and direct trailheads; many visitors stay in the village and miss nearby hikes and viewpoints.
- In winter check road and chain controls before you go - snow and chain requirements are common on the highways into the lake area and can affect timing and parking.
Best Time to Visit Big Bear Lake #
Summer for hiking and boating, and winter if you want snow sports; shoulder seasons offer fewer crowds and pleasant conditions for walks.
Weather & Climate near Big Bear Lake #
Big Bear Lake's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (806 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 8°C and lows of -5°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (139 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (137 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (130 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (64 mm).
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May
May is cold with highs of 17°C and lows of 2°C. Light rainfall.
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June
June is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 6°C. The driest month with just 4 mm.
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July
July is cool with highs of 26°C and lows of 9°C. Light rainfall.
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August
August is cool with highs of 25°C and lows of 9°C. Light rainfall.
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September
September is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 6°C. Light rainfall.
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October
October is cold with highs of 18°C and lows of 2°C. Light rainfall.
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of -5°C. Significant rainfall (118 mm).
