Trip Prep
Big Bear Developed Campgrounds
Heart Bar Campground - Hwy 38 East Entrance
Open - May 11 - Sept. 23 (2018)
Summary - Good campground as long as you get one of the spots along the ridge.
Pros - The walk-in only sites #76-77 were excellent. We arrived around noon on a Friday in mid-July--these were two of just a small handful of walk-in only sites along the ridge. Both lots were spacious, well-maintained and gave us an awesome view of the ridge.
Cons - The rest of this campground looked really crowded, and the hosts were ridiculously overbearing. Every time we looked up, they were cruising around in their golf cart asking for dues and telling people to keep the volume down.
Recommendation - This site has a good reputation online, but I’m sure there’s much better campsites out there...especially in terms of privacy.
Directions
Google Maps - Directions to Heart Bar Campground, CA
Reservations
Recreation.gov - Heart Bar Campground
Maps
Mountain Biking at Snow Summit
Big Bear Mountain Resort - Snow Summit MTB Trail Map
Camping
Bureau of Land Management - Maps for Every BLM Territory in the US
Budgets
ITEMIZED ACTIVITIES
Mountain Biking Rentals at Snow Summit
Bike Rentals
Chains Required Bike Shop - I wouldn't recommend going anywhere but here
See details above on a 10% local discount. You'll save about $20 here compared to the Snow Summit Bike Shop, plus the bikes are noticeably better in quality.
Enduro Bike - $104 full day (comes with pads & full face helmet)
Downhill Bike - $118 full day (comes with pads & full face helmet)
Lift Tickets
Snow Summit Bike Park Lift Tickets
Pricing varies week by week. I've seen prices as low as $35 and as high as $70, depending on the time of the season (early and late season rates tend to be the lowest).
Baseline Essentials
Food
$30 per day
Gas
Calculation: (total miles round trip / vehicle MPG) * price of gas
Example trip from Los Angeles: (236 / 25) * $3.60 = $33.98
Camping near Big Bear
Campsite Fees
$23 per campsite per night
Firewood
$36 per campsite per night
EXAMPLE BUDGET FOR A RECENT TRIP to Deep Creek (3 PEOPLE)
Trip Parameters
Budget is based on 1.5 days of adventure including travel time. The trip starts from Los Angeles (236 mi.), using one car with three people. Departure time starts Saturday morning (Day 1) through Sunday night (Day 2).
Baseline Expenses
Individual Expenses: Food - 1.5 days ($45) + Entrance Fee ($10 per person) = $55
Group Expenses: Gas ($33.98) / 3 people = $11.32 per person
Trip Total:
$66.32 per person
