AUTHORIZED PATRONS

Active duty and retired military personnel, reservists, DoD employees and authorized family members may make reservations for the Big Bear facility. Priorities apply.

Authorized family members under the age of 18, other than spouse, may not reserve cabins or campsites and may not occupy the facilities unless accompanied by the sponsor parent/spouse.

The sponsor or spouse of sponsor whose name appears on the payment receipt must be present in the cabin or campsite during the entire stay. 

SUBLETTING IS PROHIBITED.  More than one sponsor’s name may appear on the payment receipt if requested at time of payment.

CABINS & RESERVATIONS

The Big Bear Recreational Facility has eight cabins which may be reserved on a year round basis. Reservations begin the 1st business day of the month through the 4th business day of the month two months prior to the reservation month (*see priorities below); i.e.: 1st business day in March for a priority one customer to reserve any days in May.

Each cabin has a bedroom downstairs with a queen-size bed and armoire with dresser. The upstairs loft has two full-size beds and dresser. Bed linens, blankets, pillows, bath towels, hand towels, wash clothes and a bath mat are provided. The dining room has a table with seating for six. The living room has a sofa and loveseat with a coffee table, wood-burning fireplace, a 27" flat-screen television and DVD/VHS player. Each cabin kitchen is equipped with a refrigerator, gas range/oven, microwave oven, coffee maker and can opener. Cooking items such as pots and pans are provided as well as dishes and flatware for six. A charcoal grill and picnic table is provided for each cabin. All cabins are stocked with adequate cleaning equipment (vacuum, sponge, mop, broom, etc.). In addition, the Main Lodge has a limited supply of high chairs and playpens available for checkout.

The maximum occupancy of a cabin is six people (adults, children and infants).  At no time will the “floor load” limit of six occupants be exceeded.

CABIN RESERVATIONS
• First Priority Category is: Active duty military personnel stationed on Marine Corps installations. Reservations may be made the first business day of the month for the month after next (for the following 60 days); i.e., March for May reservations.

• Second Priority Category is: All other active duty personnel. Reservations may be made on the second business day of the month for the month after next (for the following 60 days); i.e., March for May reservations.

• Third Priority Category is: Retired military, military reserve and Department of Defense employees.  Reservations may be made on the third business day of the month for the month after next (for the following 60 days); i.e., March for May reservations.

• There is a limit of one cabin per military sponsor per month. However, beginning the fourth business day of reservations, additional cabins may be reserved depending on availability, provided an authorized military patron is present in each cabin. 

• One-day reservations are not authorized on weekends or holidays for cabins. The weekend is considered to be Friday and Saturday nights.
 

 
• Cabin reservations are accepted in person at the Entertainment Ticket Office, Bldg. 2524, MCAS Miramar or by calling (858) 577-4126/4141 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday ONLY. 

• Reservations must be paid in full four weeks before the reservation date. Reservations that are not paid will be cancelled without notification.  It is the responsibility of the patron to ensure prompt payment for reservations.

• Payment may be made by cash, check, money order or credit card.  Checks and money orders should be made payable to “MCCS Fund” and mailed to the following address:

• If time permits a receipt will be mailed as proof of confirmation for the reservations and must be presented to the attendant at the Big Bear facility upon registration.  Otherwise, you may call to confirm your reservation.

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CAMPSITES & RESERVATIONS

The campsites are open year round, weather permitting. There are five RV sites with hook-ups and five tent sites. Tent camping is permitted only in specified campsite areas.  The maximum total occupancy of an RV/campsite is eight people (adults, children and infants).

Reservations
• Campsite reservations may be made the first business day of the month for the month after next (for the following 60 days); i.e., March for May reservations.

• RV/Tent Campsite reservations may be made at the Big Bear Recreation Facility in person or by telephone by calling (909) 866-3965. Campsite reservations are not accepted at the Entertainment Ticket Office.

• Reservations must be paid in full within five working days from when reservation was made. Reservations that are not paid will be cancelled without notification. It is the responsibility of the patron to ensure prompt payment for reservations. Payments for campsites must be paid by check or money order made payable to “MCCS Fund” and mailed to:

If time permits a receipt will be mailed as proof of confirmation for the reservations and must be presented to the attendant at the Big Bear facility upon registration.  Otherwise, you may call to confirm your reservation.

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FEES & CHARGES

No refunds without official military orders or medical documentation from a doctor, prior to reserved date. Refunds may also be granted if the cabin/campsite can be re-booked.

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RENTAL ITEMS

Note:  Pontoon Boat is located at Big Bear Marina and in a pre-paid slip. Transportation, launch and recovery are will be provided for fishing boat and canoe and are included in the boat rental fee.  You are required, however, to fill the boat fuel tank prior to requesting pick-up by Lodge Attendant unless the boat is already docked in a slip at the lake. There are no hourly rental rates for boats.  Boats are available for rental May – October, weather permitting.

There are other items available for rental or check-out at the Main Lodge (i.e., pool table, snow sleds, board games, books, movies, etc.).

CHECK-IN & OUT

Check Out
Patrons are required to clean cabins and campsites before checking out. Patrons must notify the Lodge Attendant prior to departure to have their cabin or campsite inspected. Check out time for the cabins and campsites is from 8 a.m. through 11 a.m. There will be a charge for broken, damaged or missing items.

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GENERAL REGULATIONS

The following regulations have been established.  It is expected that all patrons using the Big Bear Recreation Facility will strictly adhere to these general regulations:

1. NO PETS ALLOWED ON THE PREMISES.

2. Quiet hours will exist in the facility between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. Please be considerate of others when listening to your radio, TV or other audio device. If you can hear the music outside your cabin/campsite, it is too loud. Remember, sound travels farther in the still night air, so please be especially considerate in the evening. PLEASE REPORT ANY DISTURBANCE TO THE LODGE ATTENDANTS. Inappropriate behavior or disturbances will not be tolerated. Guests may be asked to leave for failure to comply.

3. The Forest Department permits campfires in approved fire pits and fireplaces ONLY.

4. Only charcoal is to be used in the barbecues.

5. For medical needs, check with the Lodge Attendants. If an emergency arises after hours, there is a door buzzer button at the front door of the Main Lodge to awaken the on-duty attendant.

6. Civilians that are not guests of military patrons are not permitted on the premises.  Please notify the staff if unauthorized individuals are observed on the grounds.

7. Driving or parking any vehicle or trailer except in designated areas is prohibited. Vehicles, including motorcycles, will not be driven within the facility except for access or egress. Vehicles should be parked on the asphalt surface at all times.  Because of the dry climate, the environment takes a long time to recover from tire track damage.

8. Only motorcycles licensed for the street may be operated in designated areas of the National Forest. Motorcycles must be equipped with a Forest Service approved spark arrester, and be in proper working order. Maps of these areas are available at the Main Lodge and the Ranger Station on the North Shore of Big Bear Lake.

9. The possession of firearms, including air powered weapons and bow weapons, is prohibited on the facility grounds. The discharging of fireworks is prohibited.

10. Check with attendants for information on local facilities, activities and restaurants. The Lodge has a recreation room, which includes a big screen television and fireplace.

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IMPORTANT REMINDERS

1. Confirm dates and duration of visit: Check confirmed reservations on receipt or call to verify dates. Review brochure or web page information.

2. Check that your automobile is properly maintained and equipped for emergency needs and inclement weather.

3. Board pet(s) in kennel.  No pets are permitted on grounds at Big Bear Recreational Facility.

4. ROAD CONDITIONS CALL: Calif. Highway Patrol at (714) 788-6501 or CALTRANS at 1-800-427-7623

5. Refer to the brochure or web site for detailed directions and map. Have facility phone number available for assistance at (909) 866-3965. Drive safely and plan to encounter traffic.

ALWAYS bring snow chains for your vehicle’s tires during the winter months of November through March.  Even 4x4 vehicles with snow tires must have chains in the vehicle when snow chains are mandatory for other vehicles.

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DIRECTIONS TO RECREATIONAL FACILITY

From San Diego take I-15 north to I-215 north. Take I-10 east to Junction 30 (Highland) to 330 (Running Springs). This will put you on the mountain road.  Halfway up the mountain 330 changes to HWY 18 east as you approach Running Springs (same road, different name).  Continue around the mountain until you come to the Big Bear Dam. Turn right; continue east on Big Bear Blvd. (HWY 18), through town.  Turn left on Paine Rd. across from the Chevron Gas Station. Follow the road around to the traffic signal. Continue through traffic signal passing the school, McDonald’s and Carl’s Jr. Continue on Big Bear Blvd., until the next traffic signal. Turn right onto Moodridge Rd. and continue until you come to Elm St., which is the third street on the right. Turn right on Elm St., continue down Elm St. about 1/2 mile and turn right on Switzerland Drive. Make an immediate left down the gravel access road at the USMC Big Bear Recreational Facility sign.
Follow road about 3/4 mile and turn left into the driveway.

For a map along with the above printed directions, click here to download a 1.1 MB pdf.

WARNING:
Do not use the unpaved road from Snow Summit ski area (Summit Blvd.) during the winter months.
The access road is not maintained or snow-plowed.