Wyatt’s Saloon – A Local Big Bear Favorite
At Village Reservations, our favorite place to hang out with family and friends is Wyatt’s Saloon located in the Big Bear Convention Center. The rustic outdoor patio and stage under the pines offers a welcoming oasis to children, young adults, and parents. This local Big Bear grill & saloon has plenty of room for kids to run around, while allowing parents and young adults to enjoy drinks and spend time with friends. On Wednesdays, Wyatt’s Saloon offers free line dancing lessons. If we can’t make it to the free line dancing lessons on Wednesday nights, we go either Friday or Saturday and enjoy the live band on stage.
Wyatt’s Saloon also has a great menu with huge portions! You can check out their Yelp page or view their menu to get an idea of their food and drink options. Some of our staff’s favorite items on the menu are the Portobello Mushroom Sliders with onion rings and Peach Cobbler with vanilla ice cream for dessert. If you have a big appetite or want to get your drink on, they have huge burgers and a full bar for beer, wine, and cocktails. Wyatt’s Saloon is a hidden gem in Big Bear and has quickly become our favorite place to hang out with friends and family. Make sure to check them out during your next trip to Big Bear!
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Castle Rock Trail – Big Bear Lake Natural Landmark
Castle Rock Trail is a natural landmark that can be seen all over the valley and is located 1 mile east of the dam in Big Bear Lake. Because Castle Rock Trail is one of the most popular hiking spots in Big Bear Lake, it can get crowded. If you prefer to hike in peace, early morning is best. The trail is off Highway 18/Big Bear Blvd, which is a very busy main road. Parking is available in the turn out next to the small wooden Castle Rock Trail sign. There are a few more parking spots across the street as well, but they are very limited. There is a small incline during the first part of the hike, about 1/3 miles in. Once you pass this incline, the hike becomes much easier. One thing to keep in mind, as with any high altitude hike, is to pace yourself so you don’t exhaust yourself early. Most of the trail is covered and shaded by trees. Castle Rock Trail is great for families with kids and dogs. During the spring, there is still typically lots of snow, so it can be a bit slippery. Come prepared with hiking shoes and you should not have a problem. When the the snow is melting, you can actually hear and see the water run off on the rocks. In total, the Castle Rock Trail hike takes about 1 hour round trip. When you reach the huge boulders, you can actually climb them, but be careful as it can be slippery. If you do decide to climb all the way up these boulders, the views are spectacular. You are surrounded by trees, boulders and incredible views of Big Bear Lake. Castle Rock Trail is a beautiful forest setting and is one of our favorite hikes in Big Bear Lake!
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The view from the Butler Peak Fire Lookout Station is nothing short of amazing. It boasts incredible 360° views – including views of Big Bear Valley, Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead, Apple Valley, San Gorgonio Peak, and the Inland Empire. The elevation is 8500 ft! It has been said that on a clear day, you can see all the way to Catalina Island from Butler Peak.
The drive to Butler Peak is easy. Start on Fawnskin (located on the north shore side of Big Bear Lake – near the fire station) and head north on Rim of the World Drive. 
Turn left on Forest Road2N13 and continue to follow 2N13 until you see signage for 2N13C on your left. When you reach 2N13C, turn left and continue to the end of the road. The roads were just recently re-opened to the public last year for the first time since the 2007 fire. However, they are in rough shape and are extremely narrow, so low clearance vehicles are not advised.
On our most recent trip to Butler Peak, we took a 4×4 and in total, it took about 35 minutes. Although we did not time it exactly we estimated it was about 8 miles up and back. You can also hike or mountain bike (experience recommended!). In total, we estimated that it was about 8 miles round trip. At the start of the drive, we passed the area where the 2007 fire in Big Bear Lake passed through. It was an eerie experience to see the damage done by the fire. Directly following this, we reached the top, where there is a small parking area.
The hike to the tower on Butler Peak Trail is fairly short and the trail is easy enough. It took us a few minutes to get to “The Stairway to Heaven”. With the way the sun’s rays shine down, it’s easy to see how it acquired this infamous nickname. We were all a little winded (8,500 ft of elevation will do that!) by the time we reached the stairs, which are quite narrow by the way, and heart rates were increasing. At the top of the stairs, we were greeted by volunteer rangers who informed us that Butler Peak just celebrated its 80th birthday.
As a word of advice, make sure to bring a sweater or light jacket, as it does get quite windy up there.
Having visited many spectacular destinations, I can honestly say that Butler Peak is one of my favorites. So next time you visit Big Bear Lake and are looking for a free adventure, grab your Go-Pro and head up to Butler Peak!