Big Bear Discovery Center
The Big Bear Discovery Center is an educational and informational portal to the San Bernardino National Forest, located within the heart of Big Bear Valley. The goal of Big Bear Discovery Center is to create awareness on becoming more responsible caretakers of our national forests while increasing our enjoyment and knowledge of the great outdoors.
At the Big Bear Discovery Center, visitors and local residents are able to learn about forest stewardship through interpretive displays, classes and our the Nature Discovery Zone, an outdoor adventure space designed for families to explore and reconnect to nature.
The Discovery Center also serves as host to several concerts throughout the year. Visitors are able to participate in numerous guided tours of the National Forest, included guided canoe and kayak tours of Big Bear Lake. Additionally, The National Recreation Reservation Service handles reservations for most campgrounds, a select few are first-come, first-served. The Big Bear Discovery Center is co-managed by the non-profit Southern California Mountains Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service. Entrance is free and the facility is pet friendly.
Join a Discovery Center volunteer and naturalist for a guided hike on our 1/2 mi. loop trail. Learn about the native flora and fauna and the development of the Big Bear Valley. Free, easy, and open to all!
Tours are dependent on volunteer availability. Call our front desk the day you would like to come and explore to see what times our walks will be taking place!
For more information, call 909-382-2790.