ITH Big Bear Lake Mountain Hostel & Lodge

Big Bear Lake, CA

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the mountains are calling

Experience The ITH Big Bear Lake Mountain Hostel

Located on a peaceful hillside overlooking the lake, adjacent to the entrance of Big Bear Village in the four season mountain resort town of Big Bear Lake, the location doesn’t get any better! The ITH Big Bear Lake Mountain Hostel offers modern cozy beds, relaxing communal facilities, and friendly hosts who have a passion for showcasing the local culture. Bring your mountain gear, an adventure attitude, and prepare to unwind in our hostel.

The Hostel was built in 1919 as a mountain getaway cabin by the Bank of America family. The Hostel most recently was operated as a summer camp and music school. At ITH, we are proud to keep the vibes right and the energy high for all types of travelers regardless of your itinerary to create a social, friendly and fun atmosphere. Make yourself at home, connect with new people, go for a surf, and relax in our outdoor spaces.

Welcome Home.

comfortable beds for today's travelers

Rooms We Offer

We have several room options, including private rooms, coed dorm-style rooms, and cabins for group rentals. Rooms offer ensuite bathrooms and shared bathrooms.

Lake or Mountain View

Private Room

Queen Bed

Free Cook-It-Yourself Pancake Breakfast
Ensuite or Shared Bathrooms
Electric Plug
TV

Search Available Rooms

Lake View

Dorm Room - Single Bed

Co-Ed Mixed Dorms

Free Cook-It-Yourself Pancake Breakfast
Shared Bathroom
Electric Plug
Privacy Locker

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Delighting Our Travelers one at a time

Recent Guest Reviews

Hosting you with comfortable stays and personalized experiences

Google

ITH Big Bear Lake Hostel and Retreat Center

4.7

Based on 127 reviews

review us on

Landon Faulkner

16:54 20 Feb 25

Really like this place. Very well run, great house, free breakfast & very fair pricing.Favorite hostel by far

EMR

07:48 04 Feb 25

This spot is really lovely- wonderful staff, great atmosphere, and really beautiful, clean amenities. Plus, the location is fantastic. If you're looking for a mixture of hostel community and privacy (the rooms all have their own locks, so you aren't sharing), then this is the spot for you! It's perfect for ski/snowboard season, or lake season!

Ekaterina Koltunova

01:07 06 Jan 25

Stayed there just recently. Booked for 2 nights when arrived host charged me twice! When I wanted to stay near by fireplace he was bothered by it because he didn't want to sit on reception and wanted to sit near by fireplace but I guess ALONE. So I went to my room which is not fresh at all and bathroomd not clean compare to Big Bear hostel which is much cheaper 100% cleaner and just clean in general with parking and etc. in ITH hostel only dog Yogy is worth of visiting. Nothing else. Better to book big Bear hostel trust me.

Tim Buendía

20:02 29 Dec 24

Gael Dbf

13:36 25 Dec 24

This place is incredible, you feel at home.And Hasan is very welcoming.Place not to be missed! 😁

Lucas Pereira

23:04 05 Dec 24

Really nice place. I will be back!

Walter Larkins

03:11 22 Oct 24

Day One:bit by dog (I love dogs)Day two:Marley GM got bit by dog, sends her to hospitalMyself and 3 others get chemical burns from the hot tubDay three:Fat from the uncleaned grill catches fire and is a serious incident and near missDay four:I’m asked to leave by Jackie after making a report.Cool hostel, garbage experience handled even more inappropriately by inexperienced managers

Camila Steffens

19:31 30 Sep 24

The place is amazing. The staff are very friendly, it's worth visiting and I'll definitely want to go again. You feel at home and everything is perfect! 🫶

Julia Shipe

00:14 10 Sep 24

Cozy rooms. Lots of games to play and choose from. Great staff who are friendly and welcoming. Cozy cabin with lots of character and charm. I suggest going on the hammock. That was my favorite part

MIN KYU KIM

20:19 05 Sep 24

John Thomas

18:17 27 Aug 24

This place is absolutely fantastic. Perfect to enjoy the mountain vibes in the rustic rooms, bask in the spa under the stars and hang out playing some pool. Also has really great information about all the local hikes nearby. The friendly greetings each day from the local “guard” dog were always warm. Would recommend this to anyone.

Jake Garhart

04:34 18 Aug 24

Great spot in the mountains to get away from the city, real mountain lodge vibe. Definitely worth visiting!

Harleysargeuk

21:08 30 Jul 24

It's a wooden building in a state of decline. Dorm bed was clean with very soft saggy mattress. Good breakfast and a bonus barbecue on a saturday night. Just bring beer. Free tea and coffee all day. Hot showers. I tort it had a bit of a cleanliness issue with the floors outside of bins spiders webs etc but it is cheap. The staff are super friendly and make your stay enjoyable. There is a new building next door with better cleaner rooms but it is what it is. Location is good for walking into town for bars stores and restaurants. You can rent kayaks at the hostel and its near the lake with nice view from the front porch. Relax and enjoy

Rachel Egyed

03:18 13 May 24

This was my second ITH hostel and it did not disappoint. The staff was awesome and the accommodations were exactly what we were looking for at a super affordable price. Can’t wait to visit their others!

Ian Matta

21:26 08 May 24

Really fantastic hostel experience. Great mountain atmosphere, full kitchen, hot showers, and a great dog. Jackie made us feel so welcome here and will 100% help you with whatever you need.

Janu Newar

05:49 01 May 24

Such a great place to stay! It is affordable and has all the facilities. You can also socialize with lot of people. And “Yogi” he is amazing ❤️

Peter Polson

01:33 01 May 24

I stayed with my son on his PCT hike, and the hostel was terrific. Generous space inside and out, plus a big new adjacent house to expand the space. Jackie was so helpful, welcoming, and very accommodating of our last minute booking and even changes to our booking. What a wonderful hostel! Thank you.

Caydin Chen

14:51 11 Apr 24

This is a well overdue review but thank you to Jackie and nick for making my time there so comfortable. This is a great location to stay in big bear, especially on a budget. I loved meeting everyone that came through. The great room in the cabin is truly remarkable, with a big fireplace in the center. I recommend bringing your own towel. Can’t wait to come back for next season!

Pat Kennedy

19:58 09 Apr 24

Very affordable and clean Hostel. The hot tub was really nice after a long day of snowboarding. Free breakfast and a good game room. Great place!

Abhishek Paul

01:12 08 Apr 24

If I had one word to describe this place, it would be amazing. The environment is amazing. The location is amazing. The staff is amazing. The customers are amazing. Come solo or with friends or with a significant other. I promise you won't regret it.

Max M

14:29 10 Mar 24

One of the better hostels I've been to, great living areas with games and entertainment. The supplied bedding was nice and comfortable, and we stayed at a nice temperature at night. I'm only giving four stars because there were no single use towels, which in a hostel setting is pretty odd. They even had a sign on the wall that told you not to share towels to prevent the spread of the norovirus. Other than that, it was a nice stay.

Juliana Tan

05:51 31 Oct 23

Chill place with cabin vibes! The staff, Jackie, was very friendly and welcoming - she made the whole experience better. Room and bathroom were clean. Will recommend this to solo/couple travellers to Big Bear!

Melissa Juliet Lawson

05:08 31 Oct 23

Jackie the manager there is amazing! Beautiful amenities and had such a fun stay!

Jessie Pauloski

15:13 31 Aug 23

My boyfriend and I stayed in Big Bear and absolutely loved it!!! Jackie is an incredible host who facilitated great conversations, took us swimming in the lake (incredibly refreshing), and showed us her favorite Indian food restaurant, the perfect way to end a great day!!! The lodge offers a hot tub and pool as well as VERY comfortable beds and a huge porch, perfect for hanging out with Yogi and listening to the crickets and birds!

Malcolm McCready

15:01 31 Aug 23

Beautiful hostel! I had a wonderful time staying here, the staff was fantastic, the location is perfect and most importantly it was clean. Cant wait to go back!

Callaghan Swearengen

20:02 10 Feb 23

I wasn't sure what to expect when visiting ITH Big Bear. Initially I thought it was just a good deal. However, this place surpassed all expectations. The staff are great, the beds are super comfortable, and the vibes are immaculate. This place isn't a hostel - it's an experience. Making plans to go back ASAP.If you are looking for a solid bang for your buck place to stay, traveling solo, or just want to have a wholesome experience - ITH Big Bear is the place.Cheers to Bruno and friends for making it possible.

Garrett Challburg

20:39 08 Jun 22

Best hostel experience I’ve ever had! The staff was super friendly (Adrian and Bruno were incredibly helpful!) The hostel was clean and cozy. Beds were comfy, showers were clean and had great water pressure. The game room and great room were perfect for kickin back and relaxing. Less than a 5 minute walk from the village which has great food and bars. I’d choose this hostel over any of the hotels nearby (even if those hotels weren’t 10 times more expensive.) I couldn’t have asked for a better stay! Thank you ITH! I’ll be back for ski season!

Chris G

19:44 24 May 21

These guys are awesome, the hiker bix and pantry top notch, good people and activities all around, plus snack and coffee with reasonable rates. Call ahead, and thank me later.

Brenna Andersen

17:41 18 Feb 21

I absolutely love this place! I was traveling solo so I am so thankful I booked here. It was like a community. We all had dinner together and painted and they were so sweet to my pup. The staff rocks!!! I cannot wait to come back. I felt like I was spending a weekend in a mountain house with friends. Thanks ITH!

Jaimeson Musich

19:12 22 Oct 20

Came here just to camp at a nice spot and a view and this place far exceeded any expectations. The amenities at this hostel are amazing; instruments, billiards, and included breakfast. Staff are great and really nice (stupidly unprepared for how cold sleeping outside would be, they helped me with a ton of warm blankets). I've worked in Hostels before, this place is special. Thanks guys 😁

Pam Millan-Gronlund

17:36 12 Oct 20

We loved ITH and will be back. It was affordable, comfortable and I loved the community vibe. The fireplace was a plus as well. The staff was wonderful. If you're looking for a high-end hotel move on - if you want something more homey and warm, this is the place!

Carlsbad beach

23:57 04 Sep 20

The best low key and clean 5star

Trip Advisor

Comfortable experience

Hostel facilities

The floor plan offers lots of indoor and outdoor space to meet other travelers. The hostel has a large outdoor deck where travelers can socialize, check out the lake and soak up the mountain air.

Key Amenities

Foam Bed
Walk To The Lake
Walk To Hiking Trails
Coin Laundry
Communal Kitchen
Cook it Yourself Breakfast
Free Daily Social Activities
CoWorking Spaces
Parking Lot
Security Lockers

Things To Know

Check-In Time: 4:00 PM
Check-Out Time: 11:00 AM
Camp Sites Available
Van Lifers Spots Available
Large Groups Welcome
Bring Good Vibes
Embrace Global Cultures

Hosting The ultimate local experiences

Daily Hostel Activity Wall

Local Hikes

Hosted social events happen every day for you to connect and meet other travelers. Activities rotate each week to give you the ultimate experience throughout the year. We invite you to join us during your stay for a fun and engaging cultural experience!

Join Our Hostel WhatsApp Group To Get Connected To Our Daily Acitivities

Near The Village In Big Bear Lake

Where You'll Be Staying

BIG BEAR LAKE, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.

Big Bear Lake, California, is Southern California’s largest four-season resort town. Nestled in the San Bernardino National Forest, Big Bear Lake offers a perfect blend of wilderness, adventure, and a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere. Discover the beauty of Big Bear Lake and experience the ultimate California mountain getaway.

Current Weather

San Diego, US

3:19 pm, Mar 24, 2025

65°F

scattered clouds

How To Find Us

Hostel Address: 657 Modoc Drive, Big Bear Lake, CA 92315

By Car: There are 3 routes up the mountain: HWY 330, HWY 18, or HWY 38.

Hostel Onsite Parking: Yes

By Bus: From the Greyhound Bus in San Bernardino, you will take the Mountain Area Rapid Transit Shuttle up to Big Bear Lake.

By Plane: The closest commercial airport in Ontario International Airport (ONT) or Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

By Train: From the San Bernardino Amtrak Station, you will need to get a bus to the San Bernardino Greyhound Station. Next, take the Mountain Area Rapid Transit Shuttle up to Big Bear Lake.

Connecting you with the best ways to experience san diego

Promotions For You

We have designed a promotion for all types of travelers regardless of your journey. Find the best deal for your trip and move on to the next step of your vacation.

50% Off Rentals

5 Day Surf Package

Learn How To Surf

15% Off

Early Booker

Lock In Your Stay

15% Off

Weekly Deal

Get To Know The city

$5 Off Per Night

Student Discount

Escape The CLassroom

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Check Out Our Vibes

Get To Know Us More

The Hostel Experience We Offer

Visit in the Summer

Visit In The Winter

What Makes the ITH Difference

Benefits To Staying At ITH

Hostel amenities include a cozy rooms, mountain views, communal spaces, social events, and a gracious 24/7 team of ultimate hosts to delight you.

Cozy Beds

We are continuosly innovating our sleep experience and comfort.

Feel At Home

International Travelers House is your home away from home.

Travel Longer

Make friends and travel the world like you are visiting your friend's house.

Create Memories

Explore the city with world travelers and get know new people and cultures.

Wellness

Staying at ITH provides a well-rounded stay of adventure & wellness.

Save Money

With affordable lodging, you will have more money to spend on experiences.

Great Locations

Conveniently stay in the best locations for your trip and experiences.

Sustainability

Hostels are community driven and a more eco-conscious style of travel.

Voice From Our Guests

“The hostel is the perfect getaway from the city. I came up to the mountains to relax. I made friends at the hostel during the activities. But the high point is the view of the mountains.”

David Jean – Booking.com

★★★★★ 5/5

The Ultimate Wedding Dream

Travelers Club

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Travel like a local

Big Bear Lake News & Insights

Our tips and local knowledge to help you have the best trip.

Hiking The Pacific Crest Trail Through Big Bear

Things To Do In Big Bear In March

Things To Do In Big Bear In February

View All ITH News & Local Insights

Connecting You with the best local experiences & Operators

Local Experiences We Recommend

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Bear Equipment Rentals

Winter Sports

Big Bear Bikes

Bike Rentals

Big Bear Marina

Boat Rentals

Big Bear Jeep Experience

Jeep Tours

Frequently Asked Questions

ITH Big Bear Lake Mountain Hostel FAQ

We create a special stay for you

Age Requirements To Stay?

You must be at least 18 years old to stay at hostel. Families and parents are welcome to bring their kids, but children under 18 are only allowed to stay in the private rooms or book an entire dorm.

What Are The Check In Requirements?

To check in to the hostel, you must have a valid Passport or State ID which shows your reside outside of Big Bear Valley. A valid credit card in the guests name is required for all reservations to cover any incidentals. You must be at least 18 years old.