You may already know Big Bear Lake as Southern California鈥檚 accessible all-season outdoor playground. What you might not know is that it鈥檚 also a sky island ecosystem. Soaring above the surrounding desert, this geological and ecological anomaly is home to shady alpine forests, crystal-clear waters, and endless activities for those seeking fresh mountain air and fresh new adventures.

What Is a Sky Island?

A sky island is a high-elevation mountain or range surrounded by vastly different lowland environments. In Big Bear, this results in lush high-altitude hills amid an 鈥渙cean鈥� of desert sand and stone. This sky island status makes Big Bear a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, with stunning scenery, 300-plus days of annual sunshine, and summer highs in the low eighties. But it also creates a haven for biodiversity; the San Bernardino Mountains are the seventh-most biologically diverse place in the country and home to and that don鈥檛 exist anywhere else on Earth.

This rare environment doesn鈥檛 just make Big Bear a paradise for flora and fauna鈥攊t also creates a one-of-a-kind playground for outdoor enthusiasts (and humans of all varieties). The same conditions that foster its incredible biodiversity also foster plenty of opportunities for incredible adventures. Big Bear鈥檚 cool climate, clean air, and dramatic elevation draw everyone from casual hikers to elite endurance athletes and anyone else seeking to explore, challenge themselves, and reconnect.

Elevated Views, Elevated Training

Big Bear鈥檚 high-altitude terrain (ranging between 6,700 and 9,000 feet) provides expansive views to go with your expanding lung capacity. Pro athletes routinely choose it as a scenic training ground for this reason. As you travel along the shores of Big Bear Lake, atop scenic ridgelines, and among the region鈥檚 alpine, montane, and high desert environments, you鈥檒l see why.

There are plenty of chances to head back to Big Bear for race day, too. The and give trail runners a chance to push their limits, and the offers mountain bikers the same opportunity. Meanwhile, the iconic is a can鈥檛-miss for SoCal cyclists, with road, gravel, and mountain bike routes from 15 to 100 miles. Hikers can also test themselves with the adventure challenge, a unique endurance trekking event that covers as much as 90 miles in five days or as little as 14 miles in one. No matter the sport or interest, in Big Bear are a great opportunities to meet like-minded folks and enjoy this rare natural playground.

Take to the Trails

With more than 100 miles worth of trails in the region, Big Bear has an outing for absolutely everyone, with or without a race bib. From to and pristinely paved bike paths, you鈥檒l never see the same footprints or tire marks twice. Here are some local favorites.

Best hike:

Best trail run:

Best road ride: (Beginners) + (Intermediate) + (Experts)

Best gravel ride: to

Best mountain bike trail: +

Preserving Paradise, from the Lake to the Sky

Big Bear isn鈥檛 just abundant in rare plants and pristine wildlife; it鈥檚 also abundant in people dedicated to protecting them. It鈥檚 rooted in the mentality: a celebration of a place unlike any other to unplug, unwind, and lean into something real. Fittingly, the Big Bear community has found some unique ways to protect their unique ecosystem, like the , which pays local anglers to catch invasive carp species, or , which celebrates Big Bear鈥檚 night skies while educating attendees about light pollution. It鈥檚 all part of the initiative, an effort to help visitors and locals alike preserve this paradise so it can continue to exist as a place for natural wonders, unforgettable adventures, and an elevated state of mind.

Visit Big Bear is the official destination marketing organization for Big Bear Lake, California. Located just two hours from San Diego to Santa Barbara and from Palm Springs to Los Angeles, Big Bear offers high-altitude outdoor adventure, cultural vibrancy, and year-round recreation at one of Southern California鈥檚 most iconic alpine destinations. Learn more at .

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Yes, that Nebraska. Listen, we鈥檙e not here to convince you that purple mountain majesty is out. We鈥檙e just saying that the fruited plain has more than meets the eye. Especially if you just rolled that eye. Before you go making too many assumptions, discover all the natural wonders this flat-out amazing midwest state has to offer.

Sandhill Crane Migration

Maybe 测辞耻鈥檝别 never considered Nebraska as a travel destination before, but to , it鈥檚 the place to be. From March to mid-April, roughly 1 million sandhill cranes stop to rest and refuel in the Platte River Valley on their way north to Canada and Alaska. That鈥檚 80 percent of the world鈥檚 sandhill cranes, all in one region, all at one time. might be the best spot to see this incredible display鈥攖he walking bridges that crisscross over the Platte River put you right in the thick of things.

Extend your adventure: Experience migration on bike with the in late March.

Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge

Sometimes the natural wonders of the world need our help to stay that way. , described by the National Parks Service as a 鈥渃rossroads of biodiversity,鈥� was established in 1912 by Teddy Roosevelt to protect native bird populations. The result of this effort speaks for itself. Today, Fort Niobrara is home to more than 230 species of birds, some of which exist only in the region. Elk and deer are also abundant鈥攁mong 75 other animal species鈥攁nd you can even spy a herd of 350 bison, which were introduced in 1913.

Extend your adventure: , only an hour south, is home to 270 bird species and dozens more species of mammals and reptiles.

Chimney Rock National Historic Site

As you marvel at how rises dramatically out of the surrounding plains, know that you鈥檙e in good company. Throughout the ages, Chimney Rock has stood as an important marker amid the unending grassland, first for Native Americans and later for Western emigrants and fur traders. For those traveling to Oregon, California, and Utah, this lonely sentinel was their first taste of the landscape of the American West. Chimney Rock was so striking, in fact, that it was mentioned in more historic emigrant diaries than any other landmark along the Oregon Trail.

Extend your adventure: Make sure to check out the Ethel & Christopher J. Abbott Visitor Center to learn more about the lives of Western emigrants and try your hand at packing a covered wagon.

Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area

is located in a scenic river valley and boasts some of the state鈥檚 best muskie fishing, but those aren鈥檛 the only qualities that make it a natural wonder. To experience the best of what Merritt has to offer, you鈥檒l have to wait until after dark. In 2022, the area was designated an by DarkSky International, an organization dedicated to preserving starry-sky parks and communities, and offers the best stargazing in the state. Visit on a clear, moonless night in summer to see the Milky Way at its most visible.

Extend your adventure: Visit during the (July 20-25, 2025), a weeklong event with speakers, classes, and nightly observations.

Sandhills Region

If you鈥檙e on a Nebraska adventure tour, you鈥檒l wind up in the no matter what. But while you鈥檙e exploring this massive region (roughly 20,000 square miles) in north-central Nebraska, take some time to appreciate the uniqueness of the seemingly untouched prairie around you. You鈥檒l be looking at both the largest sand dune formation in the Western Hemisphere and the most intact swath of temperate grassland in the world. Stabilized thousands of years ago by prairie grass, the Sandhills might not look like the sandhills 测辞耻鈥檝别 imagined. But a lot of things in Nebraska aren鈥檛 quite what you expected.

Extend your adventure: Travel the 272-mile (Highway 2) from Grand Island to Alliance. Make sure you see Alliance鈥檚 top attraction: .

The mission of Visit Nebraska is to expand Nebraska鈥檚 dynamic and diverse travel industry making it more viable by creating awareness, attracting increased visitors which results in greater tourism revenue and economic gain throughout the state. To learn more, go to .

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Nebraska may be landlocked, but don鈥檛 let that fool you鈥攖his state is full of ways to make a splash. With designated Wild and Scenic rivers, trout-filled creeks, and scenic lakes, water plays a surprisingly central role in the Cornhusker State鈥檚 outdoor culture. Whether you’re floating in a cattle tank with friends, casting flies into spring-fed streams, or paddling through forested riverbanks, Nebraska serves up aquatic adventures that are anything but ordinary.

Tanking

There are plenty of ways to get down a river, but the most Nebraska way is . All you need is a river, a livestock tank, a few friends, a couple hours鈥� worth of refreshments, some card games, and paddles. (Pro tip: Paddles can be substituted with a sense of zen-like acceptance.) Whether you鈥檙e steering or slacking, tanking is a quintessentially Cornhusker way to enjoy the river and its surrounding scenery. Tanking outfitters can be found wherever there are cows and rivers, but a trip down the gentle currents of the Calamus River in the Sandhills might be your best bet.

Extend your adventure: Experience winter tanking with the along the Middle Loup River in Mullen. This extremely competitive race usually takes place in March.

Paddling

Nebraska鈥檚 518 miles of designated water trails make it a paddler鈥檚 paradise. Start by setting off down the . This 100-mile stretch of the Missouri, managed by the National Parks Service, is dotted with campable islands (permit required), old-growth forests, and abundant wildlife. Looking for whitewater? Hit the Niobrara River (mellow to sporty, depending on flow), which has its own 76-mile section of peaceful, protected river. And if you鈥檙e looking for some tranquil flatwater, retreat to the scenic bluffs of Lewis and Clark Lake.

Extend your adventure: Up for a real challenge? Take on the Dismal River in the Sandhills, nicknamed Divorce River and chronicled by 国产吃瓜黑料 contributor Carson Vaughan in 2020 (still married).

Fly-Fishing

Nebraska鈥檚 mightiest rivers might get all the attention, but the legendary waterways that carve their way through the state are far outnumbered by the creeks and streams that feed them. Unsurprisingly, these quieter tributaries offer excellent fly-fishing. East Verdigre Creek, tucked away in the state鈥檚 northeast corner, is a true gem. Its cold spring-fed waters are home to a well-stocked population of rainbow and brown trout, beginner-friendly fishing, and the kind of quiet surroundings anglers dream of. Long Pine Creek, located in the scenic Pine Ridge, is another well-loved trout fishery.

Extend your adventure: Achieve a Trout Slam by catching and releasing all four species of trout in Nebraska鈥攔ainbow, brown, cutthroat, and brook.

Tubing

Things getting heated on the family road trip? Try an afternoon of tubing. There鈥檚 no better way to cool off on a hot summer鈥檚 day, and even though there鈥檚 no livestock tank involved, maybe everyone just needs some time to float their own way for a while. You鈥檒l find great local outfitters all along the banks of Nebraska鈥檚 79,000 river miles. For the best combination of convenience, scenery, and relaxation, down the Elkhorn River, outside of Omaha.

Fun fact: The Elkhorn River鈥檚 modern name comes from Lewis and Clark, who called it 鈥淐orne de Cerf.鈥�

Swimming

All the water with no equipment required, unless you count bathing suits (park rangers sure do). Of Nebraska鈥檚 73 state parks and recreation areas, 29 offer swimming in lakes, reservoirs, rivers, ponds, or pools. Off I-80 near Lincoln, it鈥檚 easy to enjoy the cool waters and sandy beaches of or . As you travel west along the freeway, you鈥檙e never far from a beautiful park and refreshing water. Some highlights include , , and .

Extend your adventure: Ever gone scuba diving in Nebraska? Home to exceptionally clear waters, the is a popular spot for local divers.

The mission of Visit Nebraska is to expand Nebraska鈥檚 dynamic and diverse travel industry making it more viable by creating awareness, attracting increased visitors which results in greater tourism revenue and economic gain throughout the state. To learn more, go to .

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If 测辞耻鈥檝别 ever thought something like, 鈥淚t鈥檚 just corn out there in Nebraska,鈥� we鈥檙e gonna enjoy telling you how wrong you are. Beneath its wide skies and quiet prairies lies a rugged and surprising variety of landscapes with trails galore. Whether you’re winding through ponderosa pine forests, trekking past otherworldly rock formations, or standing atop towering limestone bluffs, the Cornhusker State delivers big on adventure. From quick day hikes to multi-day treks, these five standout trails showcase the natural diversity that makes Nebraska a hidden gem for hikers of all kinds.

Scotts Bluff National Monument

When you see the imposing formations of rise improbably out of the surrounding plains, you might get the impression they were hurled from the Rockies by some long-forgotten giant. The real answer involves less lore and more limestone, but the monument鈥檚 recent history is pretty interesting too: The towering formations have been important markers for both Native cultures and Western emigrants. Hike the moderately challenging 3.2-mile for a close-up view of the namesake bluff (including a tunnel through the rock) and sweeping views of the surrounding formations, towns, and plains.

Extend your adventure: Not done hiking? Hit the Turkey Run Trail in nearby .

Pine Ridge Trail

This trail will knock the whole 鈥淣ebraska is flat鈥� notion right out of your head, one vertical foot at a time. Located in the , the has more than 4,500 vertical feet over its roughly 40 miles. The rollercoaster of an elevation profile travels through ponderosa pine forests, over creek beds and streams, up and down steep canyons, across scenic ridgelines and grasslands, and through some sections of wildfire regrowth. The trail鈥檚 length, scenery, and difficulty make for a great three-day backpacking trip. Shorter sojourns can be enjoyed from several access points.

Fun fact: The Pine Ridge is a 100-mile-long escarpment of sandstone bluffs and the main geologic feature of northwest Nebraska.

Toadstool Geologic Park

It鈥檚 fair if the moonlike hills and hoodoos of don鈥檛 fit your vision of Nebraska; they probably don鈥檛 fit your vision of Earth, either. Trek through the heart of the namesake toadstools and other unique badlands formations by setting out on the one-mile . It’s a short but unforgettable look at the amazing work of time and erosion, and it may even reveal a fossil or two. You鈥檒l also have an option to add on the three-mile (one-way) Bison Trail, which winds through badlands and canyons before opening into the wide expanse of the Oglala National Grassland.

Fun fact: The Bison Trail takes its name from the Bison antiquus, an extinct form of modern bison whose fossils can be seen at the park鈥檚 .

Fontenelle Forest Nature Center

An oasis of woods and wildlife just south of Omaha, is home to 17 miles of easy and moderate hiking trails. The trails are marked out in short segments, most of which are less than a mile. This allows lovers of adventure and/or paper maps to choose their mileage by combining segments through wetlands, past waterfalls, over ridgetops, and along the Missouri River. A $15 day fee helps support area conservation efforts, like the raptor conservation and education program.

Extend your adventure: Your day pass also grants access to the , north of Omaha.

Schramm Park State Recreation Area

Dedicated peak baggers might think of as more of a walk than a hike, but when you retreat to this shady Shangri-La on a hot summer day, you won鈥檛 care. Enjoy a peaceful stroll through the canopied woods on the bluffs of the Platte River, choosing between a 1.5- or three-mile loop and adding the short River View Trail. The longer loop is especially cool, featuring a unique suspension bridge that travels over a leafy creekbed canyon. The park is popular with local runners thanks to the gentle terrain and shady trails.

Extend your adventure: The Schramm Education Center has aquariums and exhibits with more than 60 species of freshwater fish, invertebrates, reptiles, and amphibians found in Nebraska.

The mission of Visit Nebraska is to expand Nebraska鈥檚 dynamic and diverse travel industry making it more viable by creating awareness, attracting increased visitors which results in greater tourism revenue and economic gain throughout the state. To learn more, go to .

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