Big Bear Activities This Fall

From mid October to early November, Mother Nature transforms Big Bear Lake into a sea of gold, crimson, amber and yellow. Big Bear's fall season is ideal for those who want to escape for a day or take a mini-vacation to experience the splendor of Big Bear's autumn hues. A hike in the woods in October and November is magical experience. The colors combined with the crisp air bring out something special in everyone."

Thousands of evergreen trees help bring out the brilliance of fall colors of other trees like aspens, cottonwoods, and oaks. The ground is covered with rust-colored ferns, and Big Bear Village is brilliant with vibrant red maples. Some of the best spots include, Mill Creek Road, The Pine Knot Trail and Castle Rock Trail. Amateur and professional photographers alike visit Big Bear Lake to capture these spectacular autumn hues.

The refreshing, clean air adds true pleasure to brisk walks along the lake. Mountain breezes help the oak trees shed their red and golden leaves. For the romantics, it is a great time to snuggle up with a warm blanket next to a fireplace, and wake the next morning to a fresh alpine landscape.

For the more adventurous-at-heart, autumn is ideal for hiking and mountain biking on the alpine trails. The best way to really get an up-close and personal glimpse of the red, amber and gold leaves is to get on the trails of Big Bear. Most trailheads are easy to access. This fall explore Southern California's "last frontier" by foot, mountain bike or horseback. Big Bear Trails are abundant in the San Bernardino National Forest, most notable being the Pacific Crest Trail. The trails in the Big Bear region offer expansive views of the forest, wildlife and valley floor. Most trailheads are easily accessible and lead hikers to summits with outstanding panoramic views. A visit to the Big Bear Lake Visitor Center or the Big Bear Discovery Center provides hikers with every resource to plan a full day of hiking and picnicking.

Fall is great for fishing. In fact, trout and bass will gulp down just about anything in their path before swimming to deeper waters for the winter. September, October and November provide excellent fishing opportunities! The bite is on this fall, whether you are bait fishing or trolling for trout. The fish know winter is coming soon, and are ready to gobble up anything you throw at them. Night crawlers, mealworms and other live bait work great in the fall season. Fishing in Big Bear Lake has become a family tradition and is best when the kids catch more fish or bigger fish than dad. It's a great place to teach children how to fish, and best of all how to catch fish. The weather is mellow and mild in the fall and the fish like it just as much as you do. The rainbow trout are especially hungry for some good lo Power Bait. The Department of Fish and Game will continue to stock the lake with trophy size fish through November. You can throw just about anything in your tackle box at the fish and they will bite! If you really want to get a handle on where the fish are biting take a guided fishing charter. If you just want to relax and take in the beauty of Big Bear Lake you might want to rent a pontoon boat or take a tour on one of Big Bear's tour boats.

October in Big Bear is a time for celebration, too. Most notable is the annual Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest, the highest-altitude Oktoberfest celebration in the United States. For 37 years, this event has attracted thousands of visitors to enjoy German food, imported brews, Bavarian bands, traditional dances and competitions, such as, Queen Stein Carrying Contest.