"Our Humble Beginnings"

Fawnskin, on the North Shore of Big Bear Lake, retains a turn-of-the-century, mountain-living charm with little more than 380 permanent residents. The town's commercial district sits at approximately 6,750 feet, rising to approximatly 7,200 for residential homes. The North Shore is also home to designated golden and bald eagle habitats.

The town as we know it today derives its name from "Fawn Skin" meadow nearly two miles northwest of Grout Bay. Allegedly, the meadow got its name in 1891 when hunters killed several deer and stretched the hides on trees. Early cattle ranchers from flatland ranches used the meadow for summer grazing. Past Fawnskin names include Grout Bay, Bald Eagle Valley, Big Bear Village, Cline-Miller, and Oso-Grande. Fawnskin's name became official in 1925.

The original 1800s route into Big Bear that traversed Fawnskin from Green Valley, eventually circled travelers across the east end, and then west into what is now Big Bear City and Big Bear Lake. Another means of crossing the lake involved an auto ferry operating from Moon Camp on the North Shore to Holloway's Camp on the South.

Fawnskin, an early stage stop, also served later tourists at several lodges, camps, and resaurants until the new road crossing the dam to the South Shore was constructed in the 1920s. Fawnskin retains the special charm of its rugged, fun-loving, and independent spirited early settlers and visitors.

Travelers in the 1800s came to the valley on the rough road by stagecoach and later touring motorcar. The picturesque valley has always been a great attraction to vacationers that found the mountain terrain a wonderful retreat from city life.

Several hundred homes are huddled in the forested mountainside. Gold miners, loggers and hunters scattered throughout the Holcomb Valley that was very active in the 1800s.

Eagle habitats along the North Shore have been designated for the annual return of the golden and bald eagles, which winter here from October to March. Bring your binoculars for the annual eagle count.

Old Miners' Days in July and August see the valley fill with parades, events, exhibitions, and chili cook-offs. Fawnskin hosts the hilarious Doo Dah Parade, the Loggers' Jubilee and the Fawnskin Festival. Downtown Fawnskin has some of the oldest buildings in the valley. The Fawn Lodge was built in 1917 and later added onto.

Downtown Fawnskin has some of the oldest buildings in Big Bear Valley. The Pedersen Saw Mill lies just west of the lodge, the old post office lies to the east of it. Examples of bark-sided cabins still exist in Fawnskin.

Several hiking trails begin on the North Shore of Big Bear Lake, Gray's Peak Trail, Cougar Crest Trail (which leads to the Pacific Crest Trail), Woodland Interpretive Trail, and the North Shore Bike and Hike Trail.

There are several marinas along the North Shore - Captain John's Fawn Harbor & Marina is in downtown Fawnskin, the North Shore Landing and West Boat Ramp are to the west (towards the dam), and the East Boat Ramp is near Stanfield Cutoff. The Lighthouse Camp and Landing is the only surviving camp from the 1920s on the North Shore. Check in at the Big Bear Lake Discovery Center for displays, guided tours and canoe rides.