Cabins near Big Bear Lake, California sit at an elevation of approximately 6,752 feet in the San Bernardino Mountains. The surrounding area features pine and oak forests with temperatures ranging from summer highs of 80°F to winter lows below freezing. Most cabin accommodations experience significant seasonal demand with winter ski season and summer months requiring reservations 3-6 months in advance.
What to do
Hiking near Deep Creek: Access the Pacific Crest Trail from nearby campsites for day hikes ranging from 2-10 miles. "The deep creek hot springs were absolutely fabulous, as they were situated next to a cold creek where we could do therapeutic hot cold plunges. The hike to the hot springs was fairly tough, but we found it easily with the trail starting right on the property!" according to a visitor at Deep Creek Hot Springs Camp Retreat.
Lake activities: Fishing for trout and bass is popular from April through October at Lake Almanor near North Shore Campground. "The fishing was awesome, but I suggest fishing in the mornings before the afternoon winds come in as the weather cools down. We had our kayaks and it is a beautiful lake to kayak. But when it gets windy, know your limits," noted one camper.
Winter sports: During ski season (December-March), many cabins serve as base camps for trips to nearby Snow Summit and Bear Mountain ski areas. Both resorts are within 15-20 minutes of most cabin properties.
What campers like
Riverside relaxation: Cabins along the Santa Ana River provide direct water access. A camper at Seven Oaks Lodge shared, "Best place ever!! Tent camping, RV camping, they have a restaurant and bar, best burgers in all of southern California!! They also have a small store, showers, restrooms and a swimming pool! Tent camping along Santa Ana River, you can also fish and hike."
Forest seclusion: Many visitors appreciate the quiet forest settings. A guest at Camp Durrwood noted, "The location is among the vast forest in California and with almost 30 acres, the perfect spot for a large group looking to enjoy the forest together."
Proximity to town: Cabins within 4-5 miles of Big Bear Village provide both nature experiences and access to services. "Lake Arrowhead Village is 4 miles away," mentioned a visitor to North Shore Campground, highlighting the balance between seclusion and convenience.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Winter cabin stays require winter driving preparation and sometimes chains from November-April. Summer brings different challenges as noted by visitors to Mojave River Forks Regional Park: "I would avoid camping here during the summer since it does get very hot. It is closed during the winter months, but you can still catch some cooler weather when it first opens during the season."
Reservation timing: Peak periods book 3-6 months in advance, especially holiday weekends and school breaks. Some properties like North Shore have specific booking processes: "The reservation process is confusing, having to book our spot on recreation.gov, but worth the efforts and $34 to reserve a one night stay."
Noise levels: Proximity to roads or other campers affects the experience. "It is a short walk to Lake Arrowhead. This is a dog friendly site. Sadly the sites are small with no space between the sites. The noise restrictions after 10pm are not enforced so bring ear plugs," according to a North Shore visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Look for kid-friendly amenities: Several cabin areas include play areas. A visitor to Mission RV Park noted, "I stay here when I visit my granddaughter that lives in Redlands, CA. Although the park doesn't offer much of entertainment and don't remember seeing a pool (can get pretty hot) I was able to enjoy all the shopping stores and restaurants near by. It is also close to a museum which my 3 year old granddaughter loves going to."
Consider swimming options: Not all cabin areas have water access. A Deep Creek visitor shared, "Easy going campground with all the necessary amenities for camping and a great spot for our large group of 18 adults & 10 kids to gather and camp out together."
Prepare for weather extremes: Mountain weather can change rapidly, requiring both sun protection and warm layers, even in summer. At Mojave River Forks, a camper reported, "Nice place to camp, weather is around 75 during the day and about 50 to 36 degrees cold throughout the night."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many mountain cabin and RV areas have uneven terrain. At Cherry Valley Lakes, a visitor mentioned, "Sites are on top of each other, laundry you need an app to use," highlighting the compact nature of some facilities.
Hookup variability: While some cabin and RV areas offer full hookups, others provide more basic services. "There is water and electricity hookups, along with a dump station and separate tent camp spaces," noted a Mojave River Forks visitor.
RV size limitations: Most mountain cabin areas have size restrictions for RVs due to narrow roads and small sites. Check maximum lengths (typically 25-30 feet) before booking.
