Bear Valley – grin and bear it
Located amid the Stanislaus National Forest in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Bear Valley is famous for its killer ski slopes, alpine hiking trails, and pristine natural beauty. In the summer, you can find a number of day camps for kids, and the town also hosts an annual weeks-long music festival. Winter sports are a major attraction, but with everything from rocky mountainsides to river rapids, Bear Valley is a popular destination throughout the year, and your Bear Valley vacation rental will offer easy access to a natural playground in any season.
You’re on mountain time in Bear Valley
Bear Valley Mountain Resort is a year-round facility that hosts groups in a plush, woodsy environment, and you can enjoy everything from guided hikes to a full array of winter sports. Lake Alpine is a popular spot for kayaks, motorboats, and canoes, as well as paddleboarding and swimming. To take advantage of the area’s truly epic winter snows, you might want to consider a Bear Valley vacation rental with ski-in/ski-out access, and a hot tub or fireplace is a great place to warm up with a hot chocolate – or something stronger – after a chilly day on the slopes.
Bear Valley – it’s all downhill from here
Camping, hiking, and mountain biking are the primary summer activities, you’ll find plenty of opportunities for boating and kayaking. Thrill seekers can brave white water rapids of the Stanislaus River, or get their climb on scaling the area’s steep cliff faces. Winter is especially popular, when crowds of skiers and snowboarders swarm the mountain slopes. But summer’s got it’s perks, too, and visitors in July and August can catch the Bear Valley Music Festival, an annual 17-day event with live concerts of everything from country and tribute bands to jazz and even a symphony orchestra.
Bear Valley – friends in high places
Nestled within the Stanislaus National Forest, Bear Valley is located at an elevation of 7,100 feet above sea level. It’s surrounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains, whose wooded slopes and rocky peaks provide shelter for mule deer, bighorn sheep, and black bears. At the center of the valley is the Stanislaus River, where you can spot salmon and trout, as well as otters, beaver, and mink. More than just an alpine playground, a Bear Valley vacation rental puts you at the heart of a thriving, one-of-a-kind ecosystem.
Traveling to and around Bear Valley
The nearest airport is in Lake Tahoe, CA (TVL), located 29.9 mi (48.1 km) from the city center.