Guides/OHV areas/California
OHV area75+ miles of designated routes trail midifficulty: difficult

Big Bear OHV Trail System

RegionCaliforniaAgencyU.S. Forest ServiceLast verified—
Big Bear OHV Trail System — ohv area near Big Bear City, California, California
RuggyBearLA — CC BY 2.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Area vitals7 facts
Trail miles
75+ miles of designated routes
Technical difficulty
Difficult
Vehicle classes
Motorcycle / Dirt bike, ATV, UTV / Side-by-side, 4WD truck/SUV
Best months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
Permit
Required
Fees
Adventure Pass required ($5 daily / $30 annual)
Cell coverage
Generally good around Big Bear; drops in the back canyons.
Take action
Plan in Epic PlansOpen in Google MapsOfficial site

The Big Bear OHV Trail System covers more than 75 miles of designated routes on San Bernardino National Forest's Mountaintop Ranger District, the network of forest roads and named jeep trails that radiate out from Big Bear Lake. The system includes the historic Holcomb Valley Geological Tour, the Gold Mountain Trail (3N69), John Bull Trail, Burns Canyon, and dozens of side spurs. It is the most-traveled USFS OHV system in southern California outside of Rowher and Texas Canyon.

The network includes graded forest roads suitable for stock vehicles, single-track motorcycle trails, and several named jeep trails that rate hard. Gold Mountain Trail (3N69), John Bull, and the Cactus Flats area are the system's marquee technical runs. Snow closes most of the network from December through April; May through October is the practical season. Adventure Pass is required for parking and yellow-post sites govern dispersed camping along the corridor.

Hazards

Read before you go

  • Winter snow. Most of the network closes from December through April most years.
  • Mining-era hazards. Old shafts and adits sit just off the routes. Stay on marked roads.
  • Mixed-use traffic. Motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides, and full-size 4WDs share many routes. Maintain awareness.
  • Adventure Pass and OHV registration. Both are required; enforcement is active.
  • Fire restrictions. San Bernardino NF closes the corridor during high fire danger. Spark arresters are mandatory.

Area map

OHV area

Coordinates 34.31900, -116.88200

Current conditions

Live weather

Area facts

7 fields
AgencyU.S. Forest Service
Nearest townBig Bear City, California
PermitCalifornia OHV registration (red or green sticker) required for non-street-legal vehicles. Spark arresters required. Riders under 18 must wear helmets.
Agency contact909-382-2790 (Mountaintop Ranger District)
Websitewww.fs.usda.gov/r05/sanbernardino/recreation/opportunities/highway-vehicles-ohv
ClosedDec, Jan, Feb, Mar
Coordinates34.31900, -116.88200

Getting there

Directions

The San Bernardino National Forest OHV network runs primarily through Cajon Pass, north of Lake Arrowhead, north and east of Big Bear, and west of Idyllwild. Two main staging areas serve the Big Bear side.

Cactus Flat OHV Staging Area: From Highway 18 east of Big Bear City, turn south on Forest Road 3N03, then right on Forest Road 3N07Y for a quarter mile to the staging area.

Big Pine Flat OHV Staging Area: From I-10 east of Redlands, take Exit 80 (University Street), head north, then right on E. Lugonia Ave / SR-38. Follow SR-38 into Big Bear City, then continue on North Shore Drive (SR-38) to Fawnskin. At the Y, veer right onto Rim of the World Drive past Fire Station 96. After the pavement ends the road becomes Forest Road 3N14; follow it 7 miles to the staging area.

For current conditions and trail maps, contact the Big Bear Ranger Station at 909-382-2790.

Photos

1 photo

Photos · 1

Field notes

Getting Oriented

The Big Bear OHV system covers the forest country north and east of Big Bear Lake at 6,500 to 8,500 feet, on San Bernardino NF's Mountaintop Ranger District. The system uses Forest Roads 2N09, 3N03, 3N09, 3N16, 3N69, and dozens of connecting spurs. The Big Bear Discovery Center on SR-38 is the practical staging point, with the OHV-specific map and Adventure Pass sales.

What to Expect

The network exceeds 75 miles of designated routes. Surface ranges from wide graded forest road (open to all vehicle classes) to named jeep trails like Gold Mountain (3N69) and John Bull that rate hard. Single-track motorcycle trails fill out the system. The corridor connects to Holcomb Valley to the north, the high-desert side near Lucerne Valley to the east via Burns Canyon, and the Cactus Flats area on the south side. Most riders pick a section and ride loops out of one of the staging areas.

Vehicle and Permit Rules

  • California OHV registration (red or green sticker) required for non-street-legal vehicles.
  • Spark arresters required on all motorized vehicles.
  • Adventure Pass required for parking ($5 daily / $30 annual).
  • Riders under 18 must wear helmets.
  • Stay on designated routes. Off-route riding is enforced.
  • Single-track motorcycle trails are not legal for ATVs or side-by-sides above 50 inches wide.
  • Yellow-post dispersed sites along the corridor are first-come, first-served and require a Campfire Permit.

Hub Towns and Trailheads

  • Big Bear Discovery Center. USFS visitor center on SR-38 with maps, Adventure Pass sales, and current trail status. Practical staging point for Holcomb Valley.
  • Big Bear City. Eastern town with fuel, motels, OHV shops, and the standard launch for the Gold Mountain and John Bull trails.
  • Lucerne Valley. Northern desert hub with fuel and OHV shops; access to Burns Canyon and the Cactus Flats areas via SR-247.
  • Cactus Flats Staging Area. USFS-developed staging area off SR-38 east of Big Bear with parking and a kiosk.

Where to Camp

Big Bear has a dozen developed campgrounds (USFS-developed: Holcomb Valley, Hanna Flat, Pineknot, Serrano; private and county sites elsewhere). Dispersed camping along the corridor is governed by yellow-post sites; the system has dozens of yellow-post sites that don't require reservations. Campfire Permits (free, online) are required for any open fire including stoves.

Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip

  • Pick up the Big Bear OHV map at the Discovery Center. The USFS Travel Management map and the OHV-specific map are different documents.
  • Adventure Pass required. Daily at the Discovery Center or annual online.
  • Plan around the season. Snow closes the network from December through April.
  • Yellow-post sites fill quickly on summer weekends. Arrive Thursday or Friday for prime sites.
  • The Mountaintop Ranger District (909-382-2790) handles current conditions.
  • Big Bear has the most developed visitor infrastructure of any OHV destination on this list. Fuel, food, lodging, and OHV shops are all in town.

Frequently asked

Common questions

How difficult is Big Bear OHV Trail System?
Big Bear OHV Trail System is rated difficult.
When is the best time to visit Big Bear OHV Trail System?
The best months are May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct. Avoid Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar.
Do you need a permit for Big Bear OHV Trail System?
Yes — a permit is required. It is managed by U.S. Forest Service — check the agency listing for current requirements and fees.
Is there cell service at Big Bear OHV Trail System?
Generally good around Big Bear; drops in the back canyons.