Located in the heart of Southern California - and an easy drive from Phoenix and Las Vegas - Big Bear Lake is the jewel of the San Bernardino National Forest and known for excellent fishing, snowboarding and skiing, hiking, mountain biking and so much more!
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Big Bear Lake was a mecca for gold mining before it was a popular four-season resort. History records show that in 1860, a bear hunter named William Holcomb discovered gold in the area now called Holcomb Valley. After tracking a bear's blood trail to a creek, he found gleaming flakes of gold in the water.
Big Bear is a Manmade LakeThe first dam was created in 1885. It was expanded upon in 1910, thus tripling the amount of water in the lake. The area turned into an absolute haven of beauty and fun. Now, it is one of the best places in the country for recreation.
Etymology. Big Bear got its name due to the large number of grizzly bears that once roamed the area. Although grizzly bears went extinct in the valley at the turn of the 20th century, there are still thousands of black bears found in Big Bear Valley.
Big Bear is a Manmade LakeThe first dam was created in 1885. It was expanded upon in 1910, thus tripling the amount of water in the lake. The area turned into an absolute haven of beauty and fun. Now, it is one of the best places in the country for recreation.
Swimming RulesFrom the Big Bear Municipal Water District: In the summer months, swimming is permitted in Big Bear Lake at your own risk! There are NO lifeguards on duty and swimmers must stay within 50 feet of the shore or within 20 feet of a private dock.
There are no current health advisories for this water body. Conditions may change quickly. Check before entering the water and know how to spot a harmful algal bloom.
This is Where the Stars LiveIt's rumored that Brittney Spears has a vacation home here, and Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny), Roy Rogers, and Max Factor have all lived here at one time or the other. Who knows who you might spot shooshing down the slopes next to you!
Big Bear averages over 300 days of sunshine each year and temperatures vary throughout the seasons. 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.
Do Not Hike/Bike/Camp Alone (especially at night) Be Aware Of Your Surroundings At All Times. Know Where You're Hiking/Camping and Let Others Know Where You Are.
Blue-Green Algae is in fact not an algae at all, it is a bacteria (cyanobacteria). This type of bacteria is found in many lakes, ponds, and reservoirs across the world. They are usually present in low numbers, but can become very abundant in warm, shallow, undisturbed surface water that receives a lot of sunlight.
PUBLISHED: June 23, 2023 at 5:30 a.m. | UPDATED: June 23, 2023 at 11:27 a.m. This year, the severity of toxic algae in lakes has decreased in the Inland Empire. Two lakes — Lake Elsinore and Big Bear Lake — have been hit by the algae known as cyanobacteria once again, but this time the levels are much lower.
That being said, Big Bear Lake's baseline is a Caution level for the presence of algae year round. This means that there is algae present in the Lake and we discourage drinking water from the Lake and encourage you to rinse yourself and pets off after swimming in the Lake.
Big Bear Lake is a reservoir in the western United States, located in the San Bernardino Mountains in San Bernardino County, California. It is a snow and rain-fed lake, having no other means of tributaries or mechanical replenishment.