Best Dual Sport Trails in Big Bear

Big Bear Lake, CA is a small city in Southern California that sits on the banks of fish-filled Big Bear Lake. It’s known for Bear Mountain and Snow Summit ski resort, with its terrain parks and learner slopes, and its many surrounding Dual Sport bike trails. Year round you will never be bored or have nothing to do when visiting Big Bear as this quaint little town offers so many outdoor and energizing activities it is also the perfect place to just relax plus it offers some of the most beautiful scenery you can find in SoCal. On top of that its a close drive for most Southern California residents.

About:

Big Bear is a city full of outdoor recreational activities for pretty much everyone, there is so much to do! Whether you want to do some camping, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, 4x4ing, boating or wait until winter for the perfect snow getaway Big Bear has you covered!

With lots of sunshine and mild to moderate temperatures Big Bear is a “hot-spot” for weekend trips. At 7,000' altitude, Big Bear's 320+ days of sunshine each year guarantee no "June Gloom" here! Summer temperatures average 77 degrees daytime and 45 degrees at night. Winter brings about 120 inches of annual snowfall with temps in the mid-40s during the day and mid-20s at night.

How to Get There From SoCal:

There are multiple ways to get up to Big Bear, choose your route according to your starting location, weather, and road conditions.

Route 1: Hwy 330 / Hwy 18 – Running Springs

The shortest and quickest way for visitors coming from Los Angeles, Orange County, and other points west is Hwy 330 / Hwy 18. Please note that this route can become very congested on the weekends during peak season.

Route 2: Hwy 38 Redlands.

Though the drive on this route takes a bit longer, it is typically less congested than Hwy 330 / Hwy 18. This route is a potential option if you’re coming from LA, OC, San Diego, or Palm Springs areas.

Route 3: Hwy 18 – Lucerne Valley

Hwy 18 is the quickest way to/from Barstow, Las Vegas, and other high desert locations. This route has the least amount of mountain driving.

Where to Stay?

Big Bear provides accommodating options that range from comfy cabins to top of the line suites. Because there are so many outdoor activities to participate in, you have different options in where you would like stay. Camping, resorts, or cabin rentals are all available.

Camping:

There are multiple campgrounds to choose from in Big Bear. Some of these campgrounds include RV campsites along with tenting spots. Here are a few campgrounds to choose from:

Pine Knot Campground: The campground offers dozens of single-family sites for tent or RV camping. Each site is equipped with a table and campfire ring with grill. Flush toilets and drinking water are provided. No hookups are available. Trash collection bins are also available and a campground host is on-site. A dump station is available across the lake at Serrano Campground. This campground is open from Late April - Late October and is located right next to Snow Summit resort which is open year round.
Serrano Campground: The campground offers more than a hundred sites for tent and RV camping. A couple dozen sites provide full utility hookups for RVs and a dump station is located within the campground. Each site is equipped with tables and campfire rings with grills. Accessible flush toilets, showers and drinking water are provided. It is open during the peak season, Late February- Late November.

Resorts/Hotels:

Big Bear has a variety of Lodges, Resorts, Inns, and Hotels to choose from. It is always easier to go with one of these options as it comes with everything you need to visit comfortably, like air conditioning or heaters and other accommodations. Of course camping is just as fun but a little more work. Here are a few of many resort/hotels to choose from:

Black Forest Lodge: Truly the most Bavarian setting Big Bear has to offer. This lodge offers cozy honeymoon cabins and spa suites with large two-person spa tubs in front of gas or wood burning fireplace, and affordable motel units for two to four people as well as large family chalets. They have many accommodations to fit any size group or budget.
Travelodge: Enjoy all that Big Bear has to offer at Travelodge Big Bear Lake hotel. Located between three ski resorts, our hotel puts you in close proximity of exciting, year-round outdoor recreation. Whether you are our guest for just one night or an extended stay, they offer comfortable accommodations.

Extra tip: If you are taking a trip up there with a big group of friends or family you can always rent a private cabin using apps or checking what is available online. There are many places available for rent!

Trails to Ride:

Cactus Flat OHV Staging Area:

Cactus Flats: Cactus flats is located off Highway 18, north of Baldwin Lake, on the way down the mountain toward Lucerne Valley. In the staging area, people can offload their ATV, picnic and view others riding. There they can ride a 25-mile loop that is made up of both trails and roads. Three trailheads lead out from Cactus Flats’ staging area, Joshua Loop, Pinion Trail and the most difficult, Vista Trail, which are all 50-inch wide trails. It is open to multiple off-road vehicles also so make sure to keep your eyes open as there can be 2-way traffic on the weekends.

Holcomb Creek:

The Holcomb Creek trail is about 6 miles long and can take about 2-3 hours because of its level of difficulty. One challenging boulder field after another, narrow and tippy in places, wet tires add to challenge when the trail crosses tributaries to Holcomb Creek. Although it is difficult there are sections of easier sections of the trail between all of the rocky sections. This is definitely not a beginner trail.

John Bull Trail:

John Bull trail is 6.7 miles long and is known as one of the more difficult trails in Big Bear. It can take anywhere from 2-2 ½ hours to complete. It features large boulders and steep climbs, and the hardest part of the whole trail is about 2.2 miles long. Make sure your bike has the proper protection to fight against loose rocks. If you’re looking for a challenge, then this trail is for you!

Rattlesnake Canyon:

Rattlesnake Canyon is a moderate 27.6-mile trail that begins in the Bighorn Mountain Wilderness. The trail is mostly fire road style until you hit the wash. Expect easily navigable rocky areas, mud, soft sand, Joshua Trees, amazing views, flowing springs, and great memories. This trail is definitely one of the longer trails around so make sure to go with enough time if you expect to go through the whole thing.

Grapevine Canyon:

The Grapevine Canyon trail can take anywhere from 2-3 hours and is 22.8 miles long going one way. This road is the back way from Lucerne Valley to Big Bear. The road surface is easy but switchbacks descending through Grapevine Canyon are narrow and steep. Soft sand makes them susceptible to erosion. Overall this trail is moderate and great for all level riders.

Big Pine Flats:

Big Pine Flats area offers about 10 miles of OHV trails. The northern trailhead is located at Big Pine Flats Campground and the southern trailhead is near Crab Flats Campground. The trail can be ridden from either direction but coming from the southern end will throw some long and steady climbs at you.

Have a Bite?

Grizzly Manor:

Grizzly Manor Café is very popular for their massive helpings of breakfast and lunch items and almost always has a line outside but trust us its worth the wait! One of their most popular breakfast dishes is "The Blob". It is for those who enjoy huge amounts of delicious food smothered in sausage grazy, this breaksfast will last all day long! Many riders will use this spot to meet up after a morning filled with riding.

Get Out and Ride!

As you can clearly tell, there are plenty of trails to hit while you’re visiting and if you have not yet been to Big Bear Lake, CA what are you waiting for! Take your dual sport or dirt bike (and other off-road toys where allowed) up and enjoy one of Southern California’s most beautiful places to spend the weekend.

-The Ultimate Off-Road Guide to Dumont Dunes

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