Big Bear Discovery Center

Big Bear Discovery Center Your Gateway to Adventure and Discovery! This nearby mountain retreat is a one- to three-hour drive from anywhere in Southern California. Enjoy!
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The Big Bear Discovery Center is an educational and informational portal of the mountains and is located within the heart of the Big Bear Valley. Our goal is to ensure your visit to the Big Bear Discovery Center heightens your awareness on how to become a more responsible caretaker of public lands while increasing your enjoyment and knowledge of California’s most recreated forestland. Thank you for stopping by!

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!

The final campfire evenings of the season are here.Join us at the Big Bear Discovery Center under the stars for three mo...
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

Get your tickets for the last show of the season on Sept 5th before they’re gone: https://mountainsfoundation.org/progra...
08/22/2026

Get your tickets for the last show of the season on Sept 5th before they’re gone: https://mountainsfoundation.org/programs/music-in-the-mountains/

Today’s Music in the Mountains show is officially SOLD OUT! We’re down to just ONE final concert of the summer, and if the last two sold-out shows are any indication, you’re going to want to grab your tickets now.

Join us September 5th for an unforgettable night of Elton John and David Bowie tributes under the stars at one of the most beautiful outdoor venues in Big Bear Lake, surrounded by the San Bernardino National Forest. Mountain views, incredible live music, food, drinks, and summer fun for all ages.

September 5th is your last chance to experience Music in the Mountains this season. Tickets are already moving quickly, so click the link in our bio and get yours before we sell out again!

Join us for a fun-filled afternoon at the Big Bear Discovery Center as we celebrate one of America’s most iconic forest ...
08/05/2026

Join us for a fun-filled afternoon at the Big Bear Discovery Center as we celebrate one of America’s most iconic forest protectors!

Bring the whole family for:
• Fire engines
• Photos with Smokey Bear
• Birthday cake
• Hands-on games and activities
• Smokey Bear trivia and prizes
• Interactive wildfire prevention fun for all ages

Whether you’re a longtime Smokey fan or introducing the next generation to wildfire prevention, this is a celebration you won’t want to miss.

Sunday, August 9
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Big Bear Discovery Center

Every visit helps support conservation, outdoor education, and public lands through the Southern California Mountains Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service.

August is packed with ways to explore, learn, and connect with nature at the Big Bear Discovery Center! 🌲 From guided na...
08/02/2026

August is packed with ways to explore, learn, and connect with nature at the Big Bear Discovery Center! 🌲 From guided nature walks, yoga, bird feeder workshops, story time, and family-friendly activities to our always-popular Campfire Programs—each one featuring a unique outdoor theme and new stories to discover—there’s something for every age to enjoy. Don’t forget Music in the Mountains returns on August 8 and August 22 for unforgettable evenings under the forest sky, all while supporting our public lands. The Discovery Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays). Come spend the day with us, make memories in the San Bernardino National Forest, and see why there’s always something new to experience in Big Bear this August.

08/01/2026

Join us for the final Music in the Mountains concerts of the season at one of Southern California’s most beautiful forest venues. Bring your friends, your family, a blanket or lawn chair, and enjoy incredible live tribute performances, all while giving back to the public lands we all love.

✨ Remaining 2026 Concert Lineup:

🎸 August 8
Wish On’s Pink – Pink Floyd Tribute
Opening: Steel Rod – High-energy Southern California rock covers

🎤 August 22
DSB – The World’s Greatest Tribute to Journey
Opening: Summer of ’69 – Bryan Adams Tribute

⭐ September 5
David Brighton’s Space Oddity – David Bowie Tribute
Opening: Kenny Metcalf as Elton: The Early Years

Tickets are available now, but these shows have a history of selling out. Reserve yours before they’re gone! Every ticket purchased directly supports the Southern California Mountains Foundation’s work in conservation, environmental education, recreation, and stewardship throughout the San Bernardino National Forest and surrounding public lands.

Get tickets here 👉 https://mountainsfoundation.org/programs/music-in-the-mountains/ (link in bio)

Visit Big Bear

Comment below if you came to celebrate with us!!
07/26/2026

Comment below if you came to celebrate with us!!

We’re officially SOLD OUT for the TLR Experience, Eagles Tribute, and Boston Tribute at Music in the Mountains on July 2...
07/23/2026

We’re officially SOLD OUT for the TLR Experience, Eagles Tribute, and Boston Tribute at Music in the Mountains on July 25!

We can’t wait to welcome a full house for an unforgettable night of live music, dancing, and celebrating under the stars. If you’re joining us, come ready to sing along and have some fun!

Didn’t snag tickets this time? There’s still an incredible lineup ahead:
• August 8: Pink Floyd Tribute
• August 22: Journey & Bryan Adams Tributes
• September 5: David Bowie & Elton John Tributes

These concerts are more than just amazing nights out, all proceeds support Southern California’s public lands through the Southern California Mountains Foundation.

There’s still a few tickets are on sale now for our upcoming lineup! Grab yours before these shows sell out too!

https://mountainsfoundation.org/programs/music-in-the-mountains/

Limited edition Fire lookout apparel is available now at the Big Bear Discovery Center - come in this weekend to celebra...
07/17/2026

Limited edition Fire lookout apparel is available now at the Big Bear Discovery Center - come in this weekend to celebrate Butler Peaks 90th Birthday and get a crewneck before they’re gone. There are so many fun things happening this weekend - we will see you there!!

Address

40971 North Shore Drive
Fawnskin, CA
92333

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm
Sunday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+19093822790

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