Woodland Trail Big Bear review for a short family walk

The Forest Service describes a mostly level loop with 16 numbered posts corresponding to an interpretive guide.

Reviewers praise its manageable length for young children but mention occasional dusty or rocky patches and problems with unattended dog waste.

Woodland Trailhead

Woodland Trail is located at the Woodland Trailhead on North Shore Drive, near State Highway 38. It sits about a quarter-mile west of Stanfield Cutoff and one mile east of the Big Bear Discovery Center. The trail begins directly across from the Carol Morrison Public Launch Ramp. You will need an Adventure Pass or an Interagency Pass to park here.

The route

This path offers a 1.5-mile loop with an elevation gain of approximately 230 feet, making it an easy excursion. It winds through National Forest woodland on the north side of Big Bear Lake. The path uses natural terrain, differing from the paved surface of the nearby Alpine Pedal Path. The visitor bureau suggests this route from spring through fall. The Trolley to Trails service, which stops at Woodland Trail, runs seasonally from early May to early October.

Along the route, you will encounter boulder outcroppings and views of the lake. The trail features 16 numbered stops designed for a self-guided tour. The interpretive information provided covers local botany, geology, and wildlife. The visitor bureau lists Woodland Trail as suitable for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

Score breakdown

Our overall score for the Woodland Trail is 5.4 out of 10. This score is a weighted sum of four different criteria.

Criteria analysis

Views and payoff measures what you see along the way and at the end. This criterion received a score of 3 out of 10. Limits include no major viewpoint and some dusty and rocky patches.

Trail quality measures the tread, the markings, and the upkeep. It scored 8 out of 10. Strengths include its short, easy-to-follow loop and educational interpretive posts.

Access and parking measures how easy the trailhead is to reach and park at. This also scored 8 out of 10. A strength is its convenient paved-road access.

Crowds measures how busy the trail gets. It received a score of 5 out of 10. A limit is that it can be busy.

Our verdict is that the simple navigation and interpretive stops make it useful for families, while modest scenery and regular foot traffic limit the payoff.

Forest Service guide

The Woodland Trail guide was put together by volunteers. It offers interpretive material that helps visitors understand the local plant life. You can learn about the differences between western juniper and incense cedar trees. The guide also explains the relationship between Jeffrey pines and acorn woodpeckers. Additionally, it identifies pinyon pines as a source of edible pine nuts.

Trail characteristics

This trail is mostly level. However, it does include some short uphill and downhill sections as it winds through dense forest. The Forest Service describes the area the Woodland Trail passes through as dry woodland. The total elevation gain over the 1.5-mile loop is approximately 300 feet.

The Woodland Trail is a 1.5-mile loop that gains about 230 feet. It is considered easy and is a short family walk. The trail is located at the Woodland Trailhead on North Shore Drive, about 2.1 miles from Snow Summit's main address. A parking pass is needed for this trail; an Adventure Pass or Interagency Pass is accepted.

The Forest Service guide for the Woodland Trail was written by volunteers. This interpretive material details the differences between western juniper and incense cedar. It also discusses the connection between Jeffrey pines and acorn woodpeckers. Visitors can learn that pinyon pines are producers of edible pine nuts.

The trail itself is mostly level, though it features short rises and descents. It travels through dense forest. The Forest Service characterizes the environment as dry woodland. The total elevation gain for the loop is around 300 feet.