Big Bear Discovery Center
We're Connecting People and the Forest
The Big Bear Discovery Center is your gateway to adventure and discovery in the great outdoors. The Center is an educational and informational portal to the San Bernardino National Forest and is located within the heart of the Big Bear Valley. This nearby mountain retreat is a one- to three-hour drive from anywhere in Southern California. Our goal is to ensure your visit to the Big Bear Discovery Center heightens your awareness on how to become a more responsible caretaker of a national forest while increasing your enjoyment and knowledge of California’s most recreated forestland, the San Bernardino National Forest.
Let our experts help you plan your next adventure.
Our services include:
- Adventure Passes
- Hiking & Biking Maps
- Camping Information
- Maps of Forest Roads & Off-highway Vehicle Adventures
- Forest Service Permits
- Naturalist-led Tours and Interpretive Programs
- Environmental Education ~ School & Scout groups
- Adventure Outpost ~ nature-themed gift store
Hours of Operation: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Winter: (beginning the last week of October) Closed Wednesdays & Thursdays
Summer: (beginning the last weekof April) Open 7 Days a Week