Home > California > Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake

Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Trail Map

Other Names

Mountain Top Ranger District, San Bernardino National Forest, Cactus Flats, Smart Spring, Canyon Spring, Squirrel Spring, Granite Spring, Arrasire Creek

Last Known Status

Open

This high desert area offers about six miles of ATV trails and about 62 miles of surrounding 4x4 trails. Most of the trails are dusty with loose rocks however the Joshua Tree trail is a smooth, fast and narrow twisty with many berms.

The main staging area is huge and amenities include a loading ramp, vault toilets and informational kiosk with trail maps. Camping is permitted but there is no water or shade so come prepared.

An Adventure Pass is required to camp or ride here which must be obtained prior to arrival since there is no self pay station. The pass can be purchased online, at nearby Lucerne Valley Market or at the local ranger stations.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit Required	Yes	CA OHMVR stickers required
Dates Open	Year-Round	CA OHMVR red sticker vehicles permitted from 10/1 to 4/30
Other ATV Stickers Accepted	Yes	Residents of any state not listed must purchase a Nonresident OHV Use Permit. (AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, IA, ID, IN, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, TX, UT, VT, WA, WI, WY)
Spark Arrestor	Yes	A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise Limit	Yes (96 dB)	CA OHMVR noise limits apply (1985/older limit 101 dB, 1986/newer limit 96 dB)
Whip Flags	Not Required
Maximum Vehicle Width	Yes (50 inches)	has entrance gate or posts
Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes	Permitted	CA OHMVR stickers required
ATVs	Permitted	CA OHMVR stickers required (maximum width 50 inches)
UTV & SXS	Permitted	CA OHMVR stickers required (maximum width 50 inches)
SUVs & Jeeps (registered)	Some Areas	permitted on surrounding 4x4 roads
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered)	Some Areas	CA OHMVR stickers required (maximum width 50 inches) permitted on surrounding 4x4 roads
2 Stroke Engines	Certain Times	CA OHMVR restrictions apply
MX Helmet Required	Yes	helmets required by state law
Camping	No Restriction	(camp anywhere)
Campfires	Prohibited	both wood and charcoal campfires are prohibited
Night Riding	Unknown
Trail Blazing	Prohibited	no trailblazing
Alcohol	No Restriction
Rule Enforcement	Few/Periodic

TERRAIN

Approx Size	1,920 acres (3 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail	68
Climate Type	Forest
Elevation	6100 to 6400 ft.
Trail Maintenance	Marked, Rated, Heavily Maintained
Loose Dirt	Some
Hard Pack	Mostly
Sand	None
Mud	Little
Dust	Little
Rocks	Some
Trees	Some
Steep Hills	Few
Water Crossings	None
Small Jumps	Few
Large Jumps	None
Berms	Some
Sand/Gravel Pits	None
Single Track	None
Roads	Few
Intersections	Few
Rider Traffic	Few
Shade	Some
Ranges/Gunfire	None
Hazards	Few	(hazards not marked)
Novice	Some
Amateur	Mostly
Expert	Little

TYPE OF AREA

Area	Motorized Trails

Land	National Forest

GPS POINTS

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline	5-20 Miles (SW)	Shell (909) 866-8037
Diesel	5-20 Miles (SW)	Shell (909) 866-8037
Water	5-20 Miles (SW)	Big Bear Lake
RV Hookup	5-20 Miles (SW)	Holloway's Marina and RV Park (909) 866-5706
RV Disposal	5-20 Miles (SW)	Holloway's Marina and RV Park (909) 866-5706
Campground	5-20 Miles (NW)	Big Pine Flat Campground (909) 866-3437
Conv Store	5-20 Miles (SW)	Stater Brothers Market (909) 866-5211

FEES & PASSES

Parking	(None)
Entry	Yes ($5.00 per vehicle) Adventure Pass Fee - $5/day or $30/year
Riding	(None)
Camping	(None)

RATINGS

Pros	nice staging area, decent scenery
Cons	highway is tight and windy, and the access road is long and rocky, but there are not enough trails to make the trip worthwile, RVs not recomended, no shade at staging
Our Rating	Good
Recommended Stay	Full Day
Comments	(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest City

Big Bear City, CA

Address

Smarts Ranch Road, Lucerne Valley, CA 92356

Trail Map

From: Big Bear City, CA
1) Take SR-18 East about 8 miles
2) Turn right on FS-3N03, continue 1.25 miles
3) Turn right at fork on FS-3N07Y, continue .2 miles
4) Stage anywhere.

OFFICIAL CONTACTS

Contact Info

San Bernardino National Forest - Big Bear Ranger Station
41397 North Shore Drive
Fawnskin, CA 92333
(909) 382-2790
mailroom_r5_san_bernardino@fs.fed.us
www.fs.usda.gov

Contact Info	Enjoy the Mountain Off Road Adventures 29121 Hook Creek Road Cedar Glen, CA 92321 (844) 386-6691 info@enjoythemountain.com www.enjoythemountain.com
Comment	Guided OHV tours and rentals.

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Big Bear Lake Trail Photo

The vast majority of the trails are rocky, but not enough to take the fun out of it.

Big Bear Lake Trail Photo

Woman on CRF150 wearing green and black Fox Racing motocross gear going through sandy trail with deep berms.

The Joshua Tree trail is smooth and fast, with countless turns like this.

Big Bear Lake Trail Photo

Man on Honda CRF250 going through sandy section of trail.

Even advanced riders will have a blast going through the Joshua Tree loop.

Big Bear Lake Trail Photo

A scenic view of the San Bernardino Mountains and Mojave Desert.

From the trail you can see the San Bernardino Mountains. The dry valley in this photo is the Mojave Desert.

Big Bear Lake Trail Photo

A rocky section of trail for ATVs, UTVs and motorcycles.

This is a pretty typical piece of trail here. You can't beat the scenery.

Big Bear Lake Trail Photo

Young woman on Honda CRF150 doing doughnuts in play area.

The staging area is huge, with plenty of room to play around.

Big Bear Lake Trail Photo

A sandy section of trail surrounded by pine and joshua trees.

The deep berms and smooth turns of the Joshua Tree trail make it worth checking out, even if you are an expert rider.

Big Bear Lake Trail Photo

Honda CRF-150 going up sandy ATV trail through the woods.

Big Bear Lake Trail Photo

Man on Honda CRF250 dirt bike going through rocky ATV trail.

Big Bear Lake Trail Photo

Forest Service carsonite trail marker with black diamond symbol.

The black diamond trails are actually fairly tame... Some chunk, a few sharp drops, but nothing scary.

Big Bear Lake Trail Photo

CRF250 dirt bike going up rocky ATV trail.

Big Bear Lake Trail Photo

Man wearing black and red motorcoss jersey on Honda CRF250 navigating rocky ATV trail.

Most of the trails look like this - hardpacked with some loose chunk rock and occasional sand. Good place for ATVs and side by sides.

Big Bear Lake Trail Photo

Big Bear Lake Trail Photo

Suzuki and Honda dirt bikes riding around in flat open area.

The Cactus Flats Staging Area has plenty of turnaround room for big trailers, plus plenty of space for beginners.

Big Bear Lake Trail Photo

Large parking area with vault toilets and informational kiosk.

The main staging area is huge, with various play areas for all skill levels.

Big Bear Lake Trail Photo

Large open staging area with side trails.

The hills surrounding the staging area have various tracks and play loops.

Big Bear Lake Trail Photo

Honda four-stoke dirt bike going through sandy berm on an ATV trail.

The Joshua Tree loop has nice flow with moderate to deep berms. Joshua and pine trees, various scrub brush and the occasional cholla cactus line the trail.