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Big Bear Discovery Center

Founded in 1907, we have served over 1.3 million guest nights over the last 113+ years!

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Big Bear is a wonderful vacation destination for those of all types. Whether you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of big city life or you want to enjoy the great outdoors, Big Bear is perfect for you. If you are visiting the Big Bear area on your next vacation, make sure that you visit the Big Bear Discovery Center for great natural insight into the area.

History of the Discovery Center in Big Bear

Big Bear Discovery Center opened in 1998 and is the largest visitor center in the Big Bear Valley. Visitors can stop by and be one of the more than 190,000 yearly visitors to enjoy exhibits, weekly programs, eco-tours, and special events like outdoor concerts, theater productions, and nighttime interpretive programs in the Big Bear Discovery Center Amphitheater. The Discovery Center’s goal is to ensure your visit here is enjoyable and heighten your awareness to help you become a more knowledgeable and responsible caretaker of the San Bernardino National Forest.

Amazing Attractions

The Big Bear Discovery Center is full of different attractions and landmark information guides to help shape your vacation. Some of the incredible activities which begin from the Discovery Center in Big Bear include naturalist-led kayak and canoe tours, adventure passes, hiking and biking maps, camping information, maps of forest roads and off-highway vehicle adventures, Forest Service permits, interpretive programs, environmental education for school and scout groups, and much more!

Location and Hours

The Discovery Center Big Bear is located at 40971 North Shore Drive/Hwy 38, Fawnskin CA 92333. The Discovery Center is open Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 9 am to 4 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The Center is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The Big Bear Discovery Center is co-managed by the non-profit Southern California Mountains Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service. Entrance is free and the facility is pet friendly. The Big Bear Discovery Center is your gateway to adventure and discovery in the great outdoors. The Discovery 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 oasis is a one- to three-hour drive from anywhere in Southern California.
If you are going to Big Bear on your next vacation, the Big Bear Discovery Center is a must visit. If you would like help with planning, let Big Bear Vacations be your guide.
(Image By Big Bear Discovery Center (Big Bear Discovery Center) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons)