Private Cabins in Boulder Bay Area

Boulder Bay is located on the north east side of Big Bear Lake, Ca. surrounded with several large granite boulder's and tall pine trees in amongst the Cabins.



The Boulder Bay area is without a doubt, one of my favorite places around the entire Big Bear Lake. The Boulder Bay Area here is defined as starting at the Log Cabin Restaurant on the corner of Big Bear Blvd and Edgemoor Rd. and heading South down Big Bear Blvd. all the way to the Dam. This area also includes the Private Cabin Rentals available within the Papoose Bay, Metcalf Bay as we'll as the actual Boulder Bay itself.


Some of the most popular activities to do in the Boulder Bay Area would first have to be the BEST Swimming hole in the Entire Big Bear Lake. Starting at the Dam and heading East, it's only a few hundred yards to the South side before you will see China Island. (The Only island on Big Bear) The island itself is private property but the rock outcropping 40 feet to the West is fair game and a great place to go swimming. You can also go Cliff-Diving with boulders ranging anywhere from 5' up to 35' high depending on the water level in Lake. For those that don't have access to a boat, there is a small place to pull over approx. 1/4 mile from the Dam Parking Lot and just after the first major right turn bend in the road. There is only approx. 6-8 parking places there depending on how folks park so get there early on the weekends because it usually fills up fast. Once parked just follow the trail down towards the lake about 500 yards and you will run right into the swimming area.


Boulder Bay is also known for the several miles of Hiking and Biking Trails leading back into the National Forest. One of the most popular trails in Boulder Bay is the Castle Rock Trail which winds up the Mountain to, you guesses it, Castle Rock. Castle Rock is most famous for the steep cliffs that surround it. Technically speaking, it would be classified in the upper range of difficulty, but once on top, the Views of Boulder Bay surrounded by Big Bear Lake are just magnificent. To get to Castle Rock starting at Big Bear Dam, go approx. 1 mile towards the Village. You can see where the Trail starts on your left hand side, but you need to keep going approx. 100 ft. for a place to park. The trail is 2.4 miles round trip with medium to hard inclines getting up there.

If you have a private vacation rental in the Boulder Bay Area your welcome to share any information you'd like concerning your cabin.

Free $100 Gift Cards For Visiting Big Bear

If there isn't plenty of good reasons to visit Big Bear during your summer vacation, the Big Bear Lake Resort Association just made it a little more easier to help convince you this is the place to come. Starting on April 20th, the Big Bear Lake Resort Association will be giving away Free Visa Gift Card's Valued at up to $100 for you to use on anything you'd like.

The Catch?
Simply book your stay at one of the participating Resorts or Hotels and receive your Free Gift Card during check-in. The longer you stay in Big Bear the larger your gift card will be worth to spend any way you'd like.

Book your Vacation in Big Bear for 1 or 2 nights and receive a $25 Visa Gift Card. Stay for 3 or 4 nights and receive a $50 Gift Card.

Or plan your Vacation for 5 or more nights and receive a $100 Gift card.

Here is a list of participating Resorts and Hotels so far enrolled in the Free Gift Cards:

Castle Wood Cottages is located just a few blocks east of the Village at 547 Main St. Phone #1 (909) 866-2720.

Hillcrest Lodge is located just east of the Village close to Alpine Slide. Their address is 40241 big bear Blvd. Phone # 1 (909) 866-7330.

3 Pines Lodge is located in the Boulder Bay Area heading towards the Dam. Their address is 39280 Big Bear Blvd. Phone # 1 (909) 866-4103.

Timberline Lodge is also located west of the Village on Big Bear Blvd just past the turnoff to Holloway's Marina. The Address is 39921 Big Bear Blvd. Phone # 1 (909) 866-4141.

This offer runs from April 20th all the way Thur November 23rd (excluding Holidays) You must also mention this offer when your are making your reservations.

Tell them you found this offer at the Things To Do In Big Bear Blog and they will give you an additional insentive!

Camping In Big Bear

Big Bear Camp Sites Around Big Bear Lake

Camping in Big Bear and the nearby San Bernardino National Forest. Before heading into the Forest, it's always advisable to stop in at the Discovery Center on the North Shore of Big Bear and pickup the necessary maps, permits, current fire regulations and a Adventure Pass.

The Closest Campground in Big Bear Lake

The Pine Knot Campground

is located across the street from Snow Summit Ski Resort. The campground has 52 site's for tent camping and Motor Homes. This is an excellent location and close to everything. All the roads are paved and we'll maintained. Pine Knot Campground is located just 6 blocks South of Big Bear Blvd. and Summit Blvd. Turn left just before entering the Snow Summit parking lot. $20/Night.

The Serrano Campground

is located on the North Shore right on Big Bear Lake. This National Forest Campground is also the largest place to camp on the Lake with a total of 132 Camp Sites including 29 RV sites with electrical, water and sewer hookups. Running water with bathrooms and hot shower's can be found throughout the Campground.
Serrano Campground is located at:
40533 North Shore Dr
1 (909) 866-3437

Hanna Flat Campground

The Hanna Flat Campground is located less then 3 miles from Fawnskin. From the main Y ( Fire Station) in Fawnskin, head straight North past the old Peterson Saw Mill. The pavement ends in less then a mile and sometimes known to be a little rough, so it's always a good idea to take it a little slow. Large Tow Trailers and RVs over 26' are to big for this campground. Water may not be a guarantee, so be sure to bring plenty with you.

Unfortunately the Hanna Flat Campground was directly involved in the Forest Fire that threatened Fawnskin last year and is still closed until further notice. I will update this blog after they open back up and I have a chance to drive up there and see what it now looks like. You can check for updates by calling the Discovery Center at 1 (909) 382-2781.

Big Pine Flat Campground

The Big Pine Flat Campground is located on the same road you would take to go to Hanna Flat Campground. Keep going for approx. 4 more miles. Services include water, portable toilets and trash collection. Four Horse Corrals are also available. This campground is operated by the American Land and Leisure with a permit by the National Forest. All 19 camping sites are available on a first come- first serve basis upon reserving a camping site. For More Information Call 1 (909) 866-6717.

Holcomb Valley Campground

The Holcomb Valley Campground is in the middle of Big Bear's Most Treasured History that helped developed what we now know as the Big Bear Valley. In 1862 a Hunter by the name of Bill Holcomb went Bear Hunting farther then he had ever hunted before when he came across this Majestic Valley filled with Undiscovered Gold and singlehandedly started the Biggest Gold Rush in Southern California's History. There still remains a lot of History around the campground and always a chance of finding some more Gold missed by the earlier Gold Miners.

The Campground only has 19 camping spaces and all are on a first come- first serve basis. NO RESERVATIONS HERE! All vehicles must have an Adventure Pass (as with most campgrounds) prior to getting your camping spot. There is NO Water so bring plenty with you. Only $14/Night.

The easiest way to get there is to get on North Shore Dr. and turn North on Van Dusen Dr. (corner of the Landscape Rock Shop) follow that road which soon turns into a dirt road for 4 miles. Turn left at the T in the road and you will see it on the right hand side.

Bowling Barn

There's always a Party at the Bowling Barn!

The Bowling Barn in Big Bear lake is not hard to miss when your heading down the main drag on Big Bear Blvd. just North of The Village.

The Bowling Barn is Big Bear's one and only Bowling Alley (the alley oops) using the latest score keeping technology. This technology also has a spinning wheel that comes up on the main screen when you get a high score and has been know to generously give away prizes and award free games. Try a new way of Bowling where they dim the lights and the pin's glow in the dark. Glow Bowling is available after 8:30pm every night. There is also a few modern video arcade games lining the hall as we'll as a DDR Dancing Game for those of you who like to dance.

If your up for some real Dancing, The Bowling Barn also has a large Lounge with a full Bar where they frequently have Live Entertainment and Karaoke nights. The Lounge also has a few pool tables, a large screen T.V. and an outside deck on the side of the Big Red Barn. It's always a lot of fun and always seems to attract a good crowd of family oriented folks with something to do for all ages.

The Bowling Barn is located at:
40625 Lake view Dr.
1 (909) 878-2695

Super Bear Arcade

The Super Bear Arcade Center

is conveniently located in the middle of The Village of Big Bear on Village Dr. When you first walk into the Super Bear Arcade it kind of reminds you of stepping back in time when pinball machines were still Hot and Space Invader's was the New Video Game on the block.

Super Bear Arcade dates back to 1977 which I'm sure some of those games were there when they first opened. They also have some other classics such as (lol, I cant seem to remember the correct name at the moment but it's where you throw the balls up the ramp and get a bunch of tickets) There is also Air Hockey and a few pool tables located towards the back.

SuperBear has also kept up with the times on a few newer video machines mixed-in which adds to the appeal of the more recent games. The DDR Dancing Game (Dance, Dance, Revolution) always seems to have a line of people waiting to spend a Dollar so they can dance. Between my two kid's, I think I have already paid for that machine all by myself.

Watch those Quarters

As you might expect, with so many of the games going on 40 years and older, it's not uncommon to have problems getting the older games to correctly work. Sometimes they don't like it, but be persistent and they will either credit the machine or refund your quarters.

For You Older Kids

We'll it just so happens that the famous Chad's Bar is right accross the street where you can keep an eye on the front of the Arcade. Depending on the age of your kid's, it's sometimes nice to unwind a bit and give them a chance to [hopefully] burn off a little energy.