Just 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles is stunning Big Bear Lake, a fresh body of water that stretches through the San Bernardino National Forest for seven miles. The idyllic setting is the perfect for a relaxing weekend away from the hustle and bustle of city life. If you’re craving a bit of adventure in the pristine wilderness, use this guide to plan your vacation any time of year at Big Bear Lake.

Spring

As the cold begins to fade and flowers begin blossoming, it’s the perfect time to take a bike ride along the numerous trails in the area. If you’re a seasoned cyclist, try your hand at pedaling up to the Onyx Summit, an ascent that reaches a peak of 8,443 feet. It’s fine if you don’t quite have the endurance and muscle strength for such an adventure. Instead, take the calm 40-mile loop that circles around Big Bear and Baldwin Lakes.

Spring is also the ideal time for fishing. The lake provides one of the best fishing locations in the entirety of southern California, with large quantities of rainbow trout, catfish, and bass lurking beneath the waters.

Summer

Image via Flickr by inkknife_2000

With summer comes all the water activities you might expect from a lakeside community. Head out on the water with your kayak, canoe, motorized boat, and more to enjoy the gentle current. For something a little outside-the-box, try stand-up paddle boarding, wakeboarding, jet skiing, or parasailing. Once you’ve mastered these skills, head over to the Cable Wakeboard Park to show off.

Another great summer attraction is the Snow Summit Sky Chair. This lift takes you from the bottom of the Big Bear Valley all the way to the top of Snow Summit at an elevation of 8,200 feet.

Fall

Soak in views of the fall foliage by going on a hike along the South Shore on the Castle Rock Trail, Pine Knot Trail, or Towne Trail. The Towne Trail is ranked easy to moderate and is only a 3-mile round trip. The other two are moderate to difficult and run 2.4 miles and 6 miles respectively, so prepare yourself beforehand.

In addition to hiking, you can also tour the area by ship or by helicopter to get a true appreciation of the area’s colors.

Winter

Since Big Bear Lake is located by a mountain, you’ll have plenty of opportunities for shredding fresh powder on your skis or snowboard. If plummeting downhill isn’t your style, slip on a pair of snowshoes or cross-country skis and trek the gentle trails throughout the valley.

Kids will love going tubing in the dedicated snow play area, where they’re allowed to frolic in the snow the whole season. If you don’t mind a bit of chill, consider taking the zipline, which will fling you above the forest in a dazzling display of snow and ice.

Clearly, there’s no wrong time of year to visit Big Bear Lake. If you’re considering this area for your next vacation, be sure to book your Big Bear Lake hotels using Hotel Planner as soon as possible. This area is usually in high demand, so reserving your accommodations early is the best way to ensure a spot right on the lake.