Big Bear Ponds

Big Bear Ponds: crowds and conditions

Typical pattern: moderate; weekends busier. Been there recently? Post today’s status and it shows here for the next traveller.

Status options for this lake: Full / gates open · Low water level · Entry closed.

Best time to visit Big Bear Ponds

Season: August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

Busiest days: Weekends and long holidays.

Crowd: Moderate; weekends busier.

Typical week: Mon light · Tue light · Wed light · Thu light · Fri light · Sat busy · Sun busy.

How to reach Big Bear Ponds — distance from nearby cities

Coordinates: 46.19679, -84.92008. Road distances are estimates; the road-trip planner uses real routes and adds stops worth the detour.

Places to visit near Big Bear Ponds

• Fred Dye Nature Sanctuary · sanctuary · Mackinac · ~14 km · Must-see
• Mackinac Wilderness · sanctuary · Mackinac · ~20 km · Must-see
• Delirium Wilderness · sanctuary · Chippewa · ~24 km · Must-see
• Brevoort Lake · lake · Mackinac · ~28 km · Must-see
• Horseshoe Bay Wilderness · sanctuary · Mackinac · ~37 km · Must-see
• Little Hog Island · river spot · Mackinac · ~40 km · Must-see
• Garlyn Zoo · sanctuary · Mackinac · ~41 km · Must-see
• Castle Rock · viewpoint · Mackinac · ~43 km · Must-see
• Brimley State Park · sanctuary · Chippewa · ~46 km · Must-see
• Chain Lake · lake · Mackinac · ~47 km · Must-see
• St. Helena Island Lighthouse · beach · Mackinac · ~48 km · Must-see
• Point Iroquois Lighthouse · attraction · Chippewa · ~49 km · Must-see
• St. Ignace Mission · church · Mackinac · ~49 km · Must-see
• St. Anthony's Rock · viewpoint · Mackinac · ~49 km · Must-see
• Wawatam Lighthouse · beach · Michigan · ~50 km · Must-see
• Straits State Park · sanctuary · Mackinac · ~51 km · Must-see
• Gros Cap Reefs Light · beach · Michigan · ~53 km · Must-see
• White Shoal Lighthouse · beach · Michigan · ~54 km · Must-see

See everything within a day’s drive of Big Bear Ponds

Other lakes, dams & reservoirs near Big Bear Ponds

• Brevoort Lake · lake · Mackinac · ~28 km · Must-see
• Chain Lake · lake · Mackinac · ~47 km · Must-see
• Lake Michigan–Huron · lake · Michigan · ~56 km · Must-see
• French Farm Lake · lake · Emmet · ~64 km · Must-see
• Betsy Lake · lake · Luce · ~69 km · Must-see
• Sault Canal Emergency Swing Dam · lake · Northeastern Ontario · ~70 km · Must-see
• Munuscong Lake Nature Sanctuary · lake · Chippewa · ~70 km · Must-see
• Lake Paradise · lake · Emmet · ~73 km · Must-see
• Wycamp Lake · lake · Emmet · ~75 km · Must-see
• South Manistique Lake · lake · Mackinac · ~82 km · Must-see

All lakes, dams & reservoirs in Michigan

Frequently asked