Published 3 min readMountains
Big Bear Lake Facts for Rental Guests
Quick answer
Big Bear Lake covers 2,971 acres with 22 miles of shoreline, according to the Big Bear Municipal Water District (BBMWD), which manages the lake. On BnB Search, the Big Bear Lake vacation rentals hub lists 246 places, 207 of them individual stays. Sources are linked at the end.
The lake in numbers (BBMWD)
- Surface area: 2,971 acres.
- Shoreline: 22 miles.
- Volume: 73,320 acre-feet.
- Evaporation: about 10,600 acre-feet a year on average, roughly 4 feet of lake level.
- Location: a reservoir in the San Bernardino Mountains, San Bernardino County, California (Wikipedia).
Why this matters for renters: lake level changes through the year, so a "lake view" or dock can look different by season. Ask the host how the shoreline looks at the time you are booking.
Boats, kayaks and paddleboards
BBMWD says all vessels should arrive clean, drained and dry to protect the lake from quagga and zebra mussels. Non-motorized vessels, including kayaks, canoes, float tubes, stand-up paddleboards and inflatables, need an inspection and a lake use permit, available at the launch facilities on Big Bear Lake. See BBMWD quagga information and lake use permit fees for current rules.
What our Big Bear Lake listings show
These counts come from BnB Search's own directory data and change when listings are added or removed.
- 246 listings in total: 207 individual stays, 23 resorts, inns or lodging businesses, 11 rental companies, property managers or real estate offices and 5 other local listings that are not rentals.
- Area tags: Big Bear Lake 200, Moonridge 6, Fawnskin 1. Our area tags are broad, so open the map pin to see exactly where a listing is.
- Words in the stay titles: of the 207 stays, 15 mention lakefront, waterfront or lake access; 5 mention a dock; 9 mention a lake view; 5 mention a mountain view; 54 mention a hot tub or spa; 2 mention a pool; 12 mention pets or dogs; 77 mention cabin. Hosts write these titles themselves, so confirm each feature before you book.
Browse them on the Big Bear Lake hub (map and filters) or in the full Big Bear Lake listings directory.
Before you book a Big Bear Lake rental
- Boat or paddleboard: plan for the BBMWD inspection and lake use permit before launching.
- Lakefront: ask the host about dock access and the current shoreline.
- Hot tub, fireplace and parking: confirm each one on the listing site; titles are written by hosts.
- Pets: confirm the pet policy and fees with the host.
FAQ
How big is Big Bear Lake?
BBMWD lists 2,971 acres of surface area and 22 miles of shoreline.
Do I need a permit to paddleboard or kayak on Big Bear Lake?
BBMWD says non-motorized vessels need an inspection and a lake use permit, available at the launch facilities.
How many Big Bear Lake rentals does BnB Search list?
246 listings, including 207 individual stays. The rest are lodging businesses, rental companies or other local listings.
Does BnB Search book the stay?
No. Compare on the hub, then book on the site linked from the listing.
Sources
- BBMWD: Current Lake Stats
- BBMWD: Quagga Information
- BBMWD: Lake Use Permit Fees
- Wikipedia: Big Bear Lake
Related
Big Bear Lake Weather by Month · Big Bear first-time checklist · Big Bear neighborhoods · Things to do near Big Bear rentals
See all Big Bear Lake homes and houses for rent on the map, or the full Big Bear rentals list.