Big Bear Jeep tour to Bluff Lake Reserve: Hidden hike

Two miles or four: you pick the hike after the Jeep ride up

A two-hour Jeep tour from Big Bear to Bluff Lake Reserve, a hidden wilderness lake three miles up a remote dirt road, with a local guide and a choice between an easy two-mile hike or a moderate four-mile route to upper Castle Rock. The guide shares the history of Big Bear Valley and teaches about local butterflies and plants along the way. Strollers are welcome on the easy version.

Step-by-step itinerary

Jeep tour and hike at Bluff Lake

• Pickup by Jeep in Big Bear
• Drive up forest road to Bluff Lake
• Learn about local plants and history
• Hike scenic trail at Bluff Lake Reserve
• Stop to observe and photograph butterflies
• Visit Champion Lodgepole Pine tree

The experience

The tour starts with a Jeep pickup and a drive up the forest road to Bluff Lake Reserve, where your guide narrates the plants and the history of the Big Bear Valley as you climb. Most Big Bear locals don't know this place exists. It sits three miles back on a remote dirt road, hidden from the main valley. Once you reach the reserve, you choose between two hikes: the easy route runs about two miles over mostly flat ground with minimal elevation gain, stroller-friendly for families with young children. The moderate option climbs to upper Castle Rock, a four-mile round trip with more altitude gain, following a less-traveled trail that locals prefer to the crowded main Castle Rock route.

On either hike, you'll reach the Champion Lodgepole Pine, the oldest and largest tree in the national forest. If you're hiking with kids, your guide can stop and teach them about the local butterflies, including the best techniques to photograph them. The air-conditioned Jeep handles the rough forest road, so the only walking is the hike itself.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned Jeep vehicle.
• local guide in English.
• choice of easy two-mile hike or moderate four-mile hike to upper Castle Rock.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayLast departure this season: 10 Dec

AgesAdult (18 to 55 years) · Senior (56 to 80 years) · Youth (11 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 4

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcome

Operated by Amber Holloway

Is this one for you?Choose the easy hike if you're traveling with young children or prefer mostly flat terrain. Pick the moderate route if you want more elevation gain and a quieter trail away from the main Castle Rock crowds.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

50 verified traveler reviews

5 ★50

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 17 years); Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the easy and moderate hikes on this tour?

The easy hike covers about two miles over mostly flat ground with little elevation gain and is stroller-friendly. The moderate hike to upper Castle Rock runs four miles round trip with more altitude gain and follows a less-crowded trail that locals favor over the main Castle Rock route.

How remote is Bluff Lake, and why is it so hidden?

Bluff Lake sits three miles up a remote dirt road in Big Bear, so secluded that many Big Bear locals who have lived there for 15 years don't know it exists. The Jeep handles the rough forest road to get you there.

What will the guide teach us about along the way?

Your local guide shares the history of Big Bear Valley during the Jeep drive, points out plants you pass, and can teach children about local butterflies and photography techniques if you're hiking with kids.

Is this the same as hiking Castle Rock from the main trailhead?

The moderate hike reaches upper Castle Rock, but from the top near Bluff Lake instead of the main trailhead. It's a prettier, less-crowded route that locals prefer, though Castle Rock is the most popular trail in the Big Bear Valley overall.