Big Bear Fall Colors Hiking Tour: Best Leaf-Peeping Near Big Bear Lake
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Comfortable walking fitness with the ability to climb short steep sections and handle uneven terrain; kids can join with a slower pace.
Overview
Walk under a canopy of gold and orange oaks on a locals-only autumn hike above Big Bear Lake. This two-hour guided tour combines peak fall color, lookout vistas, and insider stories about the valley’s natural and cultural history.
Big Bear Fall Colors Hiking Tour: Best Leaf-Peeping Near Big Bear Lake
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The first step onto the trail feels like turning a page: a corridor of oak branches arch overhead, leaves the color of copper coins falling to a carpet of sound. A grey Jeep idles at the corner of Elm and Switzerland, your guide climbs out with a grin and a thermos of coffee, and the valley exhales—cool, sharp, and bright. Over the next two hours you follow a locals-only route up toward a ridge, slipping through pockets of golden oak and scrub pines with sudden, framed glimpses of Big Bear Lake far below.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Layer for altitude swings
Temperatures at 6,700+ ft change quickly—bring a lightweight insulating layer and a wind shell you can stash in a pack.
Hydrate before you climb
Bring at least 1 liter of water per person; the guide can refill in town but trails offer no reliable water sources.
Protect your camera gear
A polarizing filter and a small tripod will help with saturated fall colors and low-light canopy shots.
Ask before tasting berries
The guide can point out edible seasonable berries—don’t eat any wild fruit unless you’ve confirmed it’s safe.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Mule deer
- Steller’s jay
History
The Serrano people lived in these mountains for generations; 19th-century logging and a dam built in the 1880s shaped the valley that visitors enjoy today.
Conservation
Oak understories are fragile—stay on trail, pack out all waste, and avoid trampling berry patches to protect regeneration and reduce fire risk.
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Adventure Hotspots in Big Bear Lake, CA
Recommended Gear
Sturdy hiking shoes
Good tread and ankle support make wet leaf-covered slopes and short climbs safer.
fall specific
Insulating layer and wind shell
Temperature swings at elevation make a packable mid-layer and shell essential.
fall specific
1–2L water bottle or hydration bladder
Keeps you hydrated through uphill sections; refills available in town before the hike.
Camera or smartphone with polarizer
Fall colors and lake vistas are prime subjects—polarizers reduce glare and deepen skies.