Woodland Trail 1E23 (Big Bear)
Great beginner loop, tiny lot, easy fix. The Woodland Interpretive Trail (1E23) is a flat, family-friendly 1.5-mile loop on Big Bear's north shore, with a small trailhead lot off North Shore Drive that requires an Adventure Pass ($5/day or $30/yr, or an interagency pass). It fills on summer weekends — but the Big Bear Discovery Center is right next door with free parking and restrooms.
The facts
- Trail served
- Woodland Interpretive Trail 1E23 (1.5-mi loop, easy, self-guided nature trail)
- Cost / pass
- Adventure Pass ($5/day, $30/yr) or Interagency pass — or use the free Discovery Center lot
- Lot size
- Small — a handful of spaces at the trailhead pullout
- When it fills
- Summer and holiday weekends, mid-morning
- Overflow option
- Big Bear Discovery Center — free parking, 50+ spaces, restrooms, a short walk away
- Tow / citation risk
- Low, but display a pass; North Shore Drive (Hwy 38) shoulders are narrow — don't block them
- Restrooms
- None at the trailhead; restrooms at the Discovery Center
- Road to the lot
- Paved: North Shore Drive (Highway 38), near the Big Bear Discovery Center
- Busy season
- Spring through fall; a pleasant snowshoe route in winter
Getting there
North Shore Drive (Highway 38), Fawnskin, CA 92333
Get directions →The easy-hike, easy-parking combo
The Woodland Trail is a flat 1.5-mile interpretive loop with numbered stops on Big Bear's north shore, near the Discovery Center. It works well for young kids and grandparents. The small trailhead lot on North Shore Drive requires an Adventure Pass and can fill by mid-morning on summer weekends.
Just use the Discovery Center
The Big Bear Discovery Center is beside the trail and has free parking, 50+ spaces, and restrooms. It also sells Adventure Passes. When it is open (not Tuesdays or Wednesdays), park there and walk a few minutes to the loop. For a dawn start or a closed day, use the trailhead lot with a pass displayed.
Trail details and more north-shore hikes are on BigBearMap.com.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need an Adventure Pass for the Woodland Trail?
Yes at the trailhead lot on North Shore Drive — display an Adventure Pass or an interagency pass. Or park free at the adjacent Big Bear Discovery Center, which also sells passes.
Where do you park for the Big Bear Woodland Trail?
There's a small Adventure Pass lot at the trailhead on North Shore Drive, but the easiest option is the free Big Bear Discovery Center lot right next door (50+ spaces, restrooms), open every day except Tuesday and Wednesday.
How long is the Woodland Trail in Big Bear?
It's a 1.5-mile self-guided interpretive loop — flat and easy, one of the best family and beginner hikes on Big Bear's north shore.
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.