Big Bear Discovery Center

10/31/2026

TODAY | 10 AM – 12 PM | TREATS & TRAILS

Celebrate Halloween on the trails with Big Bear Trails! Join us this morning for a festive stroll along Rathbun Trail, complete with sweet treats, costumes, furry friends, and a little community connection.

Dress in your best Halloween attire, bring your four-legged companions, and enjoy a mellow walk while collecting candy and connecting with fellow trail lovers.

Saturday, October 31 | 10 AM – 12 PM
Rathbun Trail | Park at the Lower Moonridge lot

We’ll see you out on the trails!

10/23/2026

From seasonal events and educational programs to guided nature walks and wildlife talks, there are so many ways to connect with nature and learn something new!

But you don’t need an event on the calendar to stop by. Come chat with the friendly volunteers, discover more about Big Bear and the surrounding San Bernardino National Forest, or browse the gift store for nature-inspired treasures, adorable plushies, and unique gifts perfect for getting a head start on holiday shopping!

Bring the little ones to explore the Discovery Zone, or take a peaceful stroll along the nature trail at your own pace. Whether you’re joining for a special event or simply stopping in to explore, there’s something for nature lovers of all ages at the Big Bear Discovery Center.

https://mountainsfoundation.org/events/

10/22/2026

10/05/2026

Meet Emma, one of the newest faces at the Big Bear Discovery Center! Follow along as she explores everything you can find inside, from interpretive programs and hands-on exhibits featuring skulls and animal pelts to learning more about the plants, wildlife and ecosystems of the Big Bear Valley and San Bernardino Mountains. Planning an adventure? Stop by the front desk for hiking and off-roading information, maps, trail recommendations and local resources to help you explore the area.

And don’t forget the nature-themed gift store. With the holidays around the corner, it’s a great place to find unique gifts while supporting the work we do throughout the mountains. The Big Bear Discovery Center also has events, interpretive programs, arts and crafts and other activities happening throughout the season. Check our events calendar to see what’s coming up, and stop in to say hi to Emma on your next visit!

Shop Online or In-Store: https://shop.mountainsfoundation.org/

09/26/2026

The celebration of Jackie’s life doesn’t end on October 3rd. 💚

Join us the following day, October 4th, for Wildlife Education Day throughout the Big Bear Valley. Spend the day learning about the wildlife and wild places that make these mountains so special, and discover how each of us can become better advocates for nature.

Choose your adventure:
• Guided birdwatching walk (Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/guided-birdwatching-walk-tickets-2001402548900?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true )

• Trail conservation at Grays Peak (Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/intro-to-trail-conservation-with-big-bear-trails-tickets-2001268332455?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true )

• Native seed collection and forest restoration (RSVP: [email protected])

Come curious. Learn about animals. Get your hands dirty. Learn something new. Leave a little more connected to the mountains we call home.

October 4th | Big Bear Valley
Events are free and open to all ages. Sign-ups and details are available through the links provided for each activity.

A beautiful way to carry forward the spirit of Wings Over Big Bear and Jackie’s legacy by protecting the wild places and wildlife she represented.

09/23/2026

Join us October 3rd and 4th for a special weekend in Big Bear dedicated to remembering Jackie the bald eagle and celebrating the wild place she helped so many people fall in love with.

On Saturday, our community and partners will come together for Wings Over Big Bear, honoring Jackie and the remarkable legacy she leaves behind. Then on Sunday, we’ll carry that spirit forward with Wildlife Education Day, inviting our community to get outside, learn, and give back through birdwatching, forest restoration, and trail conservation.

It’s a weekend to remember, to learn, and to care for the mountains and wildlife that make Big Bear so special.

October 3: Wings Over Big Bear, 10 AM–1:30 PM
October 4: Wildlife Education Day, events throughout the morning

Learn more and sign up at BigBear.com

09/11/2026

The seasons are changing in Big Bear, and there’s no better place to experience it than the Big Bear Discovery Center.

As the San Bernardino National Forest begins its transition from summer greens to golden yellows and autumn reds, join us for a new season of programs designed to help you slow down, step outside, and connect with the forest around you.

Take a guided nature walk beneath the changing trees, stop in for yoga on Sunday mornings, make a pine cone bird feeder, gather around for story time, and explore even more throughout the season.

Our Junior Forest Ranger program is also available throughout the day, each day, giving young explorers the chance to learn about local wildlife, identify animal tracks, discover how forest animals live, and earn their very own Junior Forest Ranger badge.

And with the holidays just around the corner, don’t forget to browse our nature-inspired shop for gifts for the hikers, campers, adventurers, and outdoor lovers in your life. Every purchase helps support our public lands, with proceeds going directly back into the work of the Southern California Mountains Foundation.

Come watch the forest change with us and celebrate everything that makes the San Bernardino National Forest so special.

See you at the Big Bear Discovery Center.

08/29/2026

The FINAL Music in the Mountains concert of the summer is almost here — and tickets are almost gone!

Join us September 5th as we close out an incredible season Dancing Under the Stars with the music of two legends: David Bowie and Elton John, brought to life by incredible tribute performances.

And we have a WINNER! Congratulations to: Karin Burkovsky You’re our Music in the Mountains contest winner! We can’t wait to celebrate with you under the stars.

Every ticket purchased for Music in the Mountains helps support the Southern California Mountains Foundation and our work protecting, restoring and connecting people to our public lands.

One last summer night. Two iconic tributes. And a whole lot of dancing under the stars. Link in bio for tickets!!

September 5th — get your tickets now before we officially SELL OUT!

08/27/2026

The final campfire evenings of the season are here.

Join us at the Big Bear Discovery Center under the stars for three more nights around the fire as we celebrate another incredible summer in the San Bernardino National Forest.

August 28
August 29
September 4
7:00 PM

Bring the family, settle in around the campfire, and spend an evening connecting with the forest, our community, and the magic of summer nights in Big Bear.

Big Bear Discovery Center
40971 North Shore Dr./Hwy 38, Fawnskin