Experience Dark Sky Week in Big Bear

What is Dark Sky Week?

Dark Sky Week is a global initiative focused on protecting our night skies—and Big Bear is one of the few destinations in Southern California where you can truly experience it.
Throughout the week, visitors and locals are encouraged to:

• Reduce light pollution
• Spend time stargazing
• Learn more about astronomy and the natural environment

It’s not just an event—it’s where you find yourself becoming an explorer of Big Bear’s nature, both on the ground and in the sky.

What You Can Experience During Dark Sky Week

Where to Stay for the Best Stargazing

To really experience Dark Sky Week, where you stay—and where you go—makes all the difference. Big Bear is surrounded by pockets of darker skies, and pairing the right location with the right cabin turns a simple night into something unforgettable. Cabins with decks, hot tubs, and open sky views make it easy to step outside and enjoy the stars without ever leaving your home base.

Here are some of the best places to stargaze—and the cabins nearby to match:

1. Holcomb Valley Road (Darkest Skies)

Located off North Shore Dr, this area sits far from the central valley and offers some of the darkest skies in Big Bear.

Stay nearby: MJ’s Hideaway
Tucked away from main roads with outdoor space that makes it easy to step outside and look up.

2. Woodland & Cougar Crest Trailheads (Fawnskin Area)

National forest trailheads with minimal light pollution and wide-open sky views (Adventure Pass required).

Stay nearby: Eagle Nest North
Step outside your cabin and straight into one of Big Bear’s darkest skies.

3. PCT Crossover on Hwy 18 (Scenic Turnout)

A quiet turnout along Hwy 18 toward Lucerne where the Pacific Crest Trail crosses—ideal for uninterrupted night sky viewing (be mindful of traffic).

Stay nearby: Lakeview-style homes near Boulder Bay like Shoney Bear Cabin
Stay close to one of Big Bear’s best stargazing corridors with easy access to this scenic route.

4. Ranger Rd 2N08 / Towne Trail (Hidden Gem Hike)

Accessed from The Village, this steep trail leads to a clearing with expansive, open night sky views.

Stay nearby: Upper Moonridge homes like Edgar’s Hideaway
Elevated positioning with a balance of accessibility and reduced light pollution.

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