How to Enjoy Big Bear with Your Dog

Imagine escaping to the mountains with your best four-legged friend for a getaway filled with fresh mountain air, scenic trails, and unforgettable adventures! Big Bear Lake, California, is a wonderful destination to explore with your dog, offering beautiful forest scenery, peaceful mountain settings, and plenty of opportunities to make memories together. To help you make the most of your visit, we’ve put together a special dog-friendly itinerary filled with fun experiences, beautiful places to explore, and a chance to celebrate your bond with a professional pet photography session in the breathtaking mountains or forest. Because your dog isn’t just along for the adventure—they’re part of what makes it special!

Wooden boardwalk bridge over a mountain lake surrounded by pine trees under a clear blue sky.
Man in blue shirt with black and white Australian Shepherd dog on wooden boardwalk bridge near mountain lake.

Stretch Your Legs After the Drive Up


A great introduction to the beautiful surroundings in Big Bear is to take a stroll on the flat and easy 1.5 mile Stanfield Preserve Boardwalk.  View abundant waterfowl, fish and native plants along the way.  The view is magnificent from this vantage point.

A charming small-town sidewalk with a decorative lamp post, flower basket, and rustic stone-facade restaurant at dusk.
Man smiling with a tri-color Australian Shepherd dog in a patio garden with colorful flowers and wooden fence.

Have Lunch in the Village


After your stroll, consider Big Bear Lake Village.   This charming mountain destination is filled with quaint shops, local boutiques, cozy cafés, and inviting restaurants. Stroll along the village streets to discover unique gifts, grab a coffee or sweet treat, enjoy a delicious meal, or simply soak up the relaxed alpine atmosphere. With its rustic charm, mountain-town character, and welcoming outdoor patios, the Village is a wonderful place to unwind and explore with your four-legged companion by your side.

BearlyBliss frozen treats shop exterior with bear statue and colorful balloons at dusk in a mountain town.

Top Off Lunch With Frozen Yogurt


Treat yourself and your pup to something sweet at Big Bear Village’s frozen yogurt shop, where you can enjoy a refreshing frozen treat while your furry friend gets their very own pup cup for just $3! It’s a fun little stop during your Village stroll, giving your dog a chance to enjoy a special treat right alongside you. Because mountain adventures are always better when shared with your best four-legged friend!

Wooden bear sculpture on a sidewalk in a small mountain town with trees and shops in the background.
Oliver's Emporium gift store window display featuring a dog photo, tennis balls, and festive decorations on a stone-faced storefront.

Take Time to Shop

Any trip to the Village with your dog requires a visit to Oliver's Emporium.  A fun stop for browsing unique gifts, charming finds, and souvenirs that capture the spirit of a mountain getaway. It’s the kind of shop where you can wander through the shelves, discover something special to take home, and enjoy a little small-town shopping as part of your Big Bear adventure.  As you stroll the Village, take time to enjoy the many bear carvings and flowers along the sidewalk that make for a quick photo op.

Walk Off Lunch

 

Before heading to your cabin or hotel room to check in, enjoy one of the many  walking trails around Big Bear.  These are well-maintained pathways all around the town.  

The Rathbun Creek Trail-

Approximately 1.1 miles one way · Paved

A peaceful, tree-lined path following a creek through the Moonridge area. Enjoy the pine trees, small bridge and benches along the way. A wonderful choice for walking with a leashed dog.


https://www.destinationbigbear.com/blog/rathbun-corridor-trail/

The Alpine Pedal Path-

One of the best options for gorgeous lake and mountain views without a strenuous hike. The path winds past meadows and pine trees along the north shore. You can walk a short distance and turn around whenever you like. Dogs are welcome on leash.


https://www.bigbear.com/things-to-do/big-bear-trails/

Happy Hills Trail-

About 0.2 miles one way · Paved

A short, accessible creekside stroll beside the Civic Center, with picnic tables and opportunities to enjoy the local scenery. Ideal if you want a quick leg-stretch rather than a longer outing.


https://bigbearlake.gov/index.php/en/services-main/city-parks-and-city-trails




A paved forest path lined with tall pine trees and wooden rail fencing leads through a serene woodland campground.
Wyatt's restaurant patio with red triangular shade sail canopy on a sunny day.
A black and white Border Collie sits on a wooden deck patio with red umbrellas and lush green trees in the background.

Dinner Time!  

Family friendly, Wyatt's Grill and Saloon is very pet friendly.  Certain dates apply:

During Summer,  enjoy the patio outside on Wednesday-Saturday

In winter months, service dogs are allowed inside only, Wednesday-Saturday

While Octoberfest is happening Wyatt's is only open on Wednesday.  


https://bigbearevents.com/wyatts/
A majestic Collie dog stands on rocky shore at misty sunset, with dramatic cloudy sky and calm water in background.
Vivid red and orange sunset reflecting over calm lake waters with silhouetted mountain range on the horizon.

End the Day Watching the Sunset


As your day of mountain adventures comes to an end, find a peaceful spot along the shores of Big Bear Lake and watch the sun slowly dip behind the mountains. The sky transforms into beautiful shades of gold, pink, and orange as the lake reflects the fading light. It’s the perfect time to slow down, breathe in the fresh mountain air, and simply enjoy the moment with your favorite four-legged companion by your side. After all, some of the best memories are made in the quiet moments together.

A black and white dog sits in a sunlit green meadow with evergreen trees and misty mountains in the background.

The Icing on the Cake

Before heading home, why not make your Big Bear adventure truly unforgettable with a professional pet photography session? From towering pines and peaceful forest trails to stunning mountain backdrops, Big Bear offers a beautiful natural setting for capturing your dog’s unique personality and the memories you’ve made together. You’ll return home with more than wonderful memories—you’ll have beautiful artwork to treasure for years to come.

More Mountain Images by Wandering Woof Photography

Wandering Woof Photography offers destination photos for pet owners in several scenic areas all around Big Bear.  For more information, contact me at https://www.wanderingwoofphotography.com/contact/

A tri-color Australian Shepherd dog stands proudly on rocky terrain with misty mountains in the background.
A majestic black and white Australian Shepherd dog stands on rocks with a scenic mountain landscape at golden hour.
Australian Shepherd dog sitting on rocks with a scenic mountain forest backdrop at golden hour.
A majestic Australian Shepherd dog sits alert in a golden meadow with pine trees and mountains in the background.
An Australian Shepherd dog sits on a rock gazing at a scenic forested mountain landscape at dusk.
A white Husky puppy stands on a fallen log in a lush forest setting with green trees and shrubs.
A fluffy white dog stands on a forest trail surrounded by tall pine trees and lush green undergrowth.
A fluffy white Akita dog smiling with tongue out, standing among green pine trees and a large tree trunk.
A large tan Anatolian Shepherd dog stands among tall pine trees in a sunlit forest.
A large tan Anatolian Shepherd dog stands alert in golden dry grass fields with pine trees and mountains in background.
A large tan dog stands beneath a curved ancient juniper tree on a dirt path in a sunlit forest.
A brown and white Australian Shepherd dog stands proudly on rocky terrain with autumn trees in the background.
A brown and white Australian Shepherd dog sitting on a rocky shoreline with pine trees and a river in the background.
A brown and white Australian Shepherd dog sitting on a rocky riverbank with pine trees in the background.
Close-up portrait of a happy brown and white Australian Shepherd dog outdoors near a lake on a sunny day.
A brown and white dog stands alert on sandy terrain with dry shrubs and patches of snow in warm golden sunlight.

Imagine Your Dog Here...

Enjoy this gallery of images captured of dogs who love Big Bear, including our Max!

A Border Collie stands on a fallen log surrounded by pine trees in a natural outdoor setting.

 

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