Drive Around Big Bear Lake

About the Scenic Drive

A scenic drive around Big Bear Lake is one of those experiences that works in every season. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or you’re in town for a longer stay, this loop around the lake gives you an easy way to explore the area, stop at key viewpoints, access trails, and get a feel for Big Bear beyond the Village.

Locals do this drive often—sometimes intentionally, sometimes just as part of daily life—but visitors are often surprised by how much there is to see along the way. Spring and summer bring perfect driving weather and trail access, fall delivers lake reflections and changing colors, and winter adds snow-covered pines, ski lift views, and a completely different kind of beauty. Even when conditions are colder, this drive still offers plenty of places to stop, stretch your legs, or snowshoe when trails are open.



This route is best enjoyed at a relaxed pace. You can do the full loop in under an hour without stops, but plan for 2–4 hours if you want to actually experience the locations along the way. Use the interactive map displayed on this page to follow along and choose which stops to explore.

Starting Your Scenic Drive in Big Bear Lake Village

We recommend starting in The Village because it’s central no matter where you’re staying. Grab a coffee, maybe a pastry, and fuel up before hitting the road. From here, head east on Big Bear Blvd and begin the loop.

Here's a quick overview of the route:

Begin in Big Bear Village, where you can grab food or coffee before your adventure.

1. Head east on Big Bear Blvd (Hwy 18) and turn left onto Stanfield Cutoff.
2. Turn left on North Shore Drive (Hwy 38) to travel the scenic north side of the lake.
3. Follow North Shore Drive west, stopping along the way.
4. At the Big Bear Dam, turn left to return via the south side of the lake.
5. Continue east on Big Bear Blvd back into The Village.

🗺️ This route creates a full loop around Big Bear Lake, offering continuous mountain and lakeside scenery.

Stanfield Marsh: A Scenic Nature Stop on the Drive

Your first stop comes quickly at Stanfield Marsh Wildlife and Waterfowl Preserve, located near the corner of Stanfield Cutoff. This area has seen great improvements in recent years, including a new parking lot with restrooms and an easy boardwalk that makes the marsh accessible for all ages.

Stanfield Marsh is one of the best places in Big Bear to spot birds year-round. Depending on the season, you may see ducks, geese, herons, and other waterfowl. Early morning and late afternoon tend to be the most active times. Even if you don’t walk the full boardwalk, it’s worth pulling in for a few minutes to take in the quiet contrast to the busier parts of town.

From here, continue driving over Stanfield Cutoff, which offers some of the best elevated lake views from the east end—especially nice in the morning when the water is calm.

Alpine Pedal Path: Walking the Lake Along Your Drive

As you continue over Stanfield Cutoff, you’ll get elevated views of the east end of the lake. This stretch is especially scenic in the morning when the water is calm and reflections are strongest. It’s a short drive but one of the most underrated viewpoints on the loop.

Once you reach North Shore Boulevard, you’ll find access to the Alpine Pedal Path. This paved path runs along the lake and is popular for walking, biking, and casual sightseeing.



It’s flat and easy, making it a good option for all ages. While there’s a main trailhead, there are also several pull-offs along North Shore Blvd where you can hop on for a short stretch rather than walking the entire path.

🔗 Read more about the Alpine Pedal Path

Woodland Interpretive Trail: A Short Educational Stop

Continuing west (make a left near the elementary school), you’ll reach the Woodland Interpretive Trail.

The Woodland Interpretive Trail is a short, self-guided loop that offers a closer look at Big Bear’s forest environment rather than lake views. The trail is approximately 0.5 miles and typically takes 20–30 minutes to walk at an easy pace. It’s mostly flat, making it a good option for all ages and fitness levels.

Along the loop, interpretive signs explain the surrounding pine forest, native plants, and how the local ecosystem changes with the seasons. It’s especially helpful for visitors who want context about the area—why certain trees grow here, how the forest is managed, and what wildlife depends on this habitat.

This stop works well for families, first-time visitors, or anyone looking for something educational but low-effort. It’s also a nice contrast to the more open shoreline stops along the drive, giving you a feel for Big Bear’s forested interior before continuing on.

Juniper Point Picnic Area Along the North Shore

The Juniper Point Picnic Area is a quieter lakeside stop along the north shore, offering picnic tables, shoreline access, and open views across the water. Compared to the busier south shore areas, this spot tends to feel more relaxed, making it a good place to pause without dealing with crowds.

It’s an easy pull-off along the scenic drive and works well for a short break, a packed lunch, or a quick walk along the water. On calm days, the lake here is often glassy, which makes it a nice stop for photos or simply taking in the surroundings before continuing around the lake.

Juniper Point is also a convenient mid-route stop if you’re pairing the drive with nearby trails or other north shore pull-offs, allowing you to break up the loop without adding much extra time.

Big Bear Discovery Center: Maps, Trails, and Local Insight

The Big Bear Discovery Center is one of the most valuable stops along the scenic drive, especially if you plan to explore beyond the road. Parking here is free, and it’s one of the best places in town to get accurate, up-to-date local information.

Inside, you can speak directly with forest rangers about trail conditions, seasonal closures, weather impacts, and wildlife activity. They offer printed maps, explain which trails are best for your time frame and ability level, and can help you decide what’s realistic for the day—something that’s especially helpful if conditions change quickly.

Outside, the Discovery Center has a short, easy Discovery Trail that loops through the forest. It’s a good option if you want to stretch your legs, walk through a pine forest, and get a feel for the local landscape without committing to a longer hike.

🔗 Learn More About the Discovery Center

Driving Through Fawnskin on the North Shore

As you continue along the north shore, you’ll pass through Fawnskin, a small lakeside community that feels noticeably quieter than the south shore and the Village. This stretch of the drive offers a more residential view of Big Bear, with homes tucked into the trees and long glimpses of the lake through the shoreline.

There isn’t much in the way of dining or shopping here anymore—there used to be a popular breakfast spot, but it has since closed. Today, you’ll mainly find a small local market where you can grab a drink or quick snack if needed.

Fawnskin isn’t so much a destination stop as it is a scenic pass-through, but that’s part of its appeal. It’s a calm, low-key section of the drive that highlights a quieter side of Big Bear before the road continues toward more developed areas.

Grout Bay Picnic Area (Seasonal Stop Along the Scenic Drive)

The Grout Bay Picnic Area is a peaceful lakeside stop along the north shore, known for its quiet setting and open shoreline. When open, it offers picnic tables, lake access, and a calm place to take in views away from the busier parts of Big Bear Lake.

Grout Bay is closed seasonally, most often during bald eagle nesting season, to protect local wildlife. These closures are an important part of conservation efforts in the area, and they help preserve one of the key habitats along the lake. If the area is closed during your visit, it’s still helpful to know where it’s located for future trips or to understand why access is restricted at certain times of year.

When accessible, Grout Bay works well as a quiet pause on the scenic drive—especially if you’re looking for a low-key spot to enjoy the shoreline before continuing toward the dam and south shore. You can walk up the hill behind the picnic area and get amazing views of Big Bear Lake, and if you are lucky, catch a view of a Bald Eagle hunting over the lake!

Big Bear Dam Overlook: One of the Best Scenic Viewpoints

The Big Bear Dam marks the transition from the quieter north shore back toward the south shore and the Village. This overlook offers elevated views of Big Bear Lake framed by surrounding mountains, making it one of the most reliable viewpoints along the entire scenic drive.

From here, you can get a clear sense of the lake’s scale and see how water levels change throughout the year. It’s also a helpful spot for understanding how the lake is managed, especially during drought years or after heavy snowfall. Even a short stop is worth it, as the perspective from this area is very different from shoreline views elsewhere on the loop.

Because it sits right along the route, the dam overlook is an easy pull-off and a natural pause before continuing the final stretch of the drive back toward the Village.

Boulder Bay Park: Iconic Views on the Way Back to the Village

Boulder Bay Park is one of the most recognizable spots along the scenic drive and a favorite final stop before heading back toward the Village. The park is known for its massive granite boulders rising directly from the shoreline, creating some of the most photographed lake views in Big Bear.

There’s a small parking area, picnic tables, and a short paved pathway that makes it easy to explore the shoreline without a long walk. This is a good place to slow down, stretch your legs, and take in wide-open views across the water. On calm days, the reflections around the boulders can be especially striking.

Boulder Bay is particularly scenic in the late afternoon when the light hits the rocks and surrounding hillsides. Even if you don’t stop long, it’s worth pulling in for a few minutes before completing the final stretch of the drive back to the Village.

🔗 Read the Boulder Bay Guide

Why This Scenic Drive Around Big Bear Lake Is Worth Doing

A scenic drive around Big Bear Lake gives you a broader sense of the area than sticking to one trail or viewpoint. In a single loop, you’ll pass through wetlands, forested shoreline, quiet residential stretches, and wide-open lake views—each offering a different perspective of the mountain landscape.

What makes this drive especially worthwhile is its flexibility. You can keep it simple and enjoy the views from the car, or turn it into a half-day experience by pairing the route with short walks, picnic stops, and easy trail access along the way. Every season brings something different, from calm summer mornings and fall color reflections to snow-covered forests and quiet winter roads on clear days.

Using the interactive map on this page, you can follow the route, choose which stops to explore, and adjust your plans based on weather and timing. It’s a drive locals return to often, and for visitors, it’s one of the easiest ways to experience the natural side of Big Bear Lake at your own pace.

Frequently Asked Questions