Champion Lodgepole Pine (Big Bear)
The hike is trivial; the drive is the catch. The Champion Lodgepole Pine — the largest lodgepole in the country — sits at the end of a 0.5-mile easy trail, but getting to the trailhead means driving Forest Service dirt roads (Mill Creek Rd / 2N11) a few miles south of Big Bear Lake. The small trailhead lot needs an Adventure Pass. In dry summer conditions most cars manage the road slowly; after rain or snow it can get rough — check conditions first.
The facts
- Trail served
- Champion Lodgepole Pine Trail 1W11 (~0.5 mi RT, easy) to the record lodgepole pine
- Cost / pass
- Adventure Pass ($5/day, $30/yr) or Interagency pass
- Lot size
- Small dirt lot at the trailhead — a handful of cars
- When it fills
- Rarely a crush; summer weekends can fill the few spots by midday
- Overflow option
- Limited roadside space on 2N11 — park sensibly off the roadway
- Tow / citation risk
- Low out here, but don't block the forest road; display a pass
- Restrooms
- None — go before you leave the Village
- Road to the lot
- Unpaved: Mill Creek Rd (2N10) to 2N11, a few miles of Forest Service dirt road; high-clearance helps but isn't always required in dry conditions — impassable when muddy or snowy
- Busy season
- Summer and early fall, once the dirt roads are dry and snow-free; roads gated/closed in winter
Getting there
Forest Rd 2N11, south of Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
Get directions →The road is the whole story
The Champion Lodgepole Pine, in a meadow, is a flat half-mile round trip. The challenge is reaching it: take Mill Creek Road (2N10) from Big Bear Lake, turn onto 2N11, then drive several miles of graded Forest Service dirt road. In dry summer weather, ordinary cars usually manage slowly. Rain or lingering snow can make the road rough or impassable, and it is gated in winter. Check San Bernardino National Forest road status before leaving pavement.
The trailhead is a small dirt clearing; display an Adventure Pass. There are no facilities, so use a restroom in the Village first.
Make it a loop with Castle Rock or Bluff Lake
Pair the tree with nearby Bluff Lake or the longer route from Castle Rock. Buy an Adventure Pass before the dirt road; there is nowhere to get one at the trailhead. Our Adventure Pass guide lists Big Bear vendors, including the Discovery Center. More trail and area details are on BigBearMap.com.
Frequently asked questions
Can a regular car reach the Champion Lodgepole Pine trailhead?
In dry summer conditions, most passenger cars can manage the dirt Forest Service road (2N11) slowly and carefully. After rain or snow it gets rough or impassable, and it's gated in winter. High-clearance helps but isn't always required when it's dry — check current road conditions first.
Do you need an Adventure Pass for Champion Lodgepole Pine?
Yes — the trailhead lot requires an Adventure Pass or an interagency pass. Buy it before you head up the dirt road; there's nowhere to purchase one out there.
How long is the Champion Lodgepole Pine hike?
The trail itself is only about a half-mile round trip and easy — the effort is entirely in the dirt-road drive to reach the trailhead.
Facts on this page last verified August 1, 2026. Fees, hours, and access rules change seasonally — confirm with the official source before a long drive.