Big Bear Lakefront Cabins | Every Stay Gives Back

YOUR POSITIVE IMPACT

Total Positive Impact To Date | Membership Since August 2025

$ 10

provides food for a hungry hawk for three days or a hungry raven for five days

100 %

donated to Big Bear Alpine Zoo

$ 1

dollar per night goes to Big Bear Alpine Zoo

Charity Mission

Support the Big Bear Alpine Zoo by inspiring understanding, respect, and environmentally responsible action of the stewardship of wildlife and wildlife habitat through conservation, education, volunteer support, and fundraising.

 

Why is it important?

Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo in Big Bear, CA, is vital to protecting wildlife and fostering a deeper connection between people and the animals that share their mountain home through their support of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo. Through dedicated conservation efforts, the organization supports rescue and rehabilitation programs for injured and orphaned wildlife by fundraising, ensuring that the zoo is additionally supported, so that many animals can eventually be released back into their natural habitats. For those who remain at the zoo due to permanent injuries, Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo helps provide enriching environments that inspire visitors to understand their unique stories and the broader challenges facing their species. By funding habitat improvements, educational programs, and community outreach, they not only safeguard local biodiversity but also empower travelers and residents alike to become advocates for conservation. Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo helps the Zoo transform a visit into an opportunity for awareness and compassion of the natural world. 

How do they do it?

Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo weaves conservation, education, volunteerism, and community support into every facet of their work. Through hands-on educational programs, engaging exhibits, and volunteer opportunities, they spark a sense of respect for native wildlife while teaching the importance of protecting fragile habitats. Their fundraising efforts directly enhance animal care, expand conservation initiatives, and improve facilities, ensuring the zoo remains a sanctuary for rescued and rehabilitated animals. The Friends of the Big Bear Alpine zoo also has over 45 members who all contribute to the Zoo by utilizing their unique gifts, from planting flowers, trees and edible gardens to preparing diets for the animals to selling delicious snacks to guests. Their trained docents are educational ambassadors for the collection of animals that live at the zoo. Through this collection of efforts, they empower visitors to carry forward environmentally responsible actions, creating a ripple effect of stewardship that extends far beyond Big Bear. 

How you can #TravelKindly:

  • Reserve a stay at Big Bear Lakefront Cabins where every stay gives back. Each stay includes a donation to Friends of the Big Bear Alpine. Reserve Now.
  • Take a docent led tour of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo and get insider knowledge on the inhabitants and continued paths of conservation. Or, since one day volunteer experiences are limited, you may become involved by becoming a docent yourself. You will be trained to participate in a variety of volunteer opportunities that support the zoo. Reach out to the Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo.
  • Adopt an animal. A small, one-time, adoption fee helps pay for the care of our animal ambassadors at the zoo that cannot be released due to injury or due to the loss of their fear of humans. It furthers the zoo’s mission of conservation and education, as well as the rehabilitation and release of wildlife.
  • While you’re in Big Bear, pay a visit to the zoo. A visit supports the care and welfare of the animals in the zoo and their wild counterparts who receive lifesaving, rehabilitative care before being returned to the wild.
  • There are multiple programs that are provide by the Zoo in partnership with the Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo that take place at the zoo throughout the year. These include: Bear Awareness, Wolf Awareness, Ice cream Safari, Twilight Safari and Boo at the Zoo. These programs offer guests interactive activities that promote education and awareness of the animals that call the zoo home.  They also help teach guests how to safely observe wildlife and how they can help conserve natural resources.

About Big Bear Lakefront Cabins

Big Bear Lakefront Cabins offers a handpicked collection of more than 50 vacation rentals that provide the perfect home base for unforgettable Big Bear adventures. Nestled in Southern California’s San Bernardino Mountains, each cabin is just minutes from Big Bear Lake, ski slopes, and the vibrant village—making them ideal whether you’re a first-time visitor eager to explore it all or a returning guest with a favorite getaway spot. With options ranging from cozy one-bedroom escapes to spacious six-bedroom retreats, our properties feature unique amenities such as private hot tubs, game rooms, pet-friendly stays, and expansive kitchens designed for gathering. Beyond offering exceptional comfort and 5-star service, we’re committed to sustainable practices and giving back to the local community by supporting Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo and their conservation initiatives—ensuring every stay not only creates lasting memories for our guests but also helps protect the natural beauty and wildlife of Big Bear.

Learn more about the partners

Big Bear Lakefront Cabins Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo

Learn More About How to Travel Kindly