Cougar Trailhead parking | Informal Campsite

April 22nd, 2024 by part-timeluck32

Spent 2 lovely nights here- quiet at nite busy with hikers during the day. Only good for small stealthy rigs( vans, cars or trucks) due to the way you park. Left during to day to roam & returned early eve.

April 15th, 2024 by lesya.lesya_98

Stayed at this spot for a week in Prius, no issues. No “no overnight parking signs”, pit toilets, dumpster, hiking trail, very peaceful.

There is a camping in the other side of the road, there are showers and potable water.

December 26th, 2022 by dicknobbs

Signs now say no overnight camping. Use at your own risk.

September 27th, 2022 by serranoview

paved level parking lot, national forest land. portable bathroom, picnic table

September 16th, 2022 by cecerecser04

Very relaxing picnic tables good sun for solar panels and the lake is in walking distance plus trail heads for moring hikes.

February 18th, 2022 by colin.schickedanz

Medium sized parking lot for trailhead. Maybe 20 parking spots. Only 1 other van there when I rolled in on Friday night at 10pm. Porta potties available, bathroom was locked. Other cars for hiking came in around 7-730am. Did not pay and was not disturbed.

February 6th, 2022 by megan31296

I slept in the back of my SUV here before skiing and it was a great spot, only one other van dweller on a Saturday night and no one bothered us. The "fee" is an Adventure Pass, which allows you to park at any trailhead or forest service campground in Southern California. The fees go to facility maintenance. it's $5 for a day or $30 for a year, sold at any socal REI or local gear shop. I woke up early and got to the ski resort when parking opened at 7 and was able to park for free right at the resort. I would absolutely recommend doing this. I would definitely sleep in this parking lot again, nice picnic tables, pit toilet was locked but there were port-o-potties.

April 9th, 2021 by jjmicorbiz

A recent favorable review encouraged us to park overnight here but upon arrival a sign says this is a Fee Area - a valid recreation pass is required. The few cars parked here all had visible permits hanging from the rear view mirror. We didn’t take a chance and moved along...

March 29th, 2021 by mikew

As described. Nice quiet parking lot, no “no camping” signs and about the only place I could find in Big Bear this time of year. Two other car campers (homeless?) here but had a good uneventful night.

December 29th, 2020 by maxwetter

Just as described. A few cars pulled in over night but they didn’t bother me. Very nice location, would stay here again

December 25th, 2019 by road_warriors_rubber

Loop parking lot for the cougar trailhead. Lots of space with a pit toilet. Stayed over the winter while visiting bear lake for skiing. Didn’t have any problems. There is a bit of activity during the day as it’s a popular sledding spot