The Discovery Center is an educational and informational portal to the San Bernardino National Forest and is located within the heart of the Big Bear Valley. They aim to heighten awareness of hot to become a more responsible caretaker of a national forest while increasing your enjoyment and knowledge. The Discovery Center is open 5 days a week except Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:30am to 4:30pm. Get your permits, passes, maps, interpretive tours and programs here—not to mention shopping at the Adventure Outpost or a snack at the Bill Knicks Café.

The Big Bear Discovery Center attracts more than 180,000 visitors every year with exhibits, weekly programs, eco-tours, special events and phone requests as an information source. The Big Bear Discovery Center Amphitheater hosts outdoor concerts, theater productions, and private cultural and corporate events as well as nighttime interpretive programs.