The Big Bear Transfer Station at 38550 Holcomb Valley Road (about 1.5 miles north of Baldwin Lake off Highway 18) accepts household waste, construction debris, yard waste, and tires — typically Monday–Saturday 8 AM–4:30 PM; call San Bernardino County at (909) 381-2404 to confirm hours and fees. For heavy or bulky loads, Junk Removal Big Bear offers pickup with free on-site quotes at +1 (425) 233-2945.
The Valley's public drop-off is the Big Bear Transfer Station, 38550 Holcomb Valley Road — about 1.5 miles north of Baldwin Lake at Highway 18. It generally operates Monday–Saturday, 8 AM to 4:30 PM (closed Sunday) and accepts municipal solid waste, construction and demolition debris, yard waste, and auto tires. Hours, fees, and accepted materials change, so call the county's line at (909) 381-2404 before loading the truck.
What a dump run really costs: a vehicle that can haul it, tie-downs, disposal fees, and the round trip up Holcomb Valley Road — plus your Saturday. For one load of loose bags, fine. For a couch, a fridge, and half a garage? Do the math first.
If you have residential service with Big Bear Disposal, you likely get one free bulky-item pickup per year (up to about 3 cubic yards or 4 large items) — call (909) 866-3942 to schedule; extra pickups cost a fee. Two bear-country rules worth knowing: carts shouldn't sit at the curb more than about 12 hours, and bear-resistant carts are available for a one-time fee. Part-time residents and visitors can also use the Clean Bear drop-off program for bagged trash.
For anything the free pickup won't cover — multiple items, heavy pieces, estate cleanouts, or the classic "the pile grew all summer" situation — a haul-away crew is usually cheaper than people expect once dump fees, truck time, and a lost weekend are counted. Everything is loaded from wherever it sits (garage, deck, basement), sorted for donation and recycling first, and legally disposed of.
Hazardous materials — paint, chemicals, motor oil, asbestos, propane tanks — can't go in curbside carts, our trucks, or regular transfer-station loads. San Bernardino County runs household hazardous waste collection; ask when you call the county line, and we're glad to point you to the current option when we're on-site.
The Big Bear Transfer Station is typically closed Sundays, operating Monday–Saturday 8 AM–4:30 PM — confirm current hours with San Bernardino County at (909) 381-2404 before you go.
Residents with Big Bear Disposal curbside service generally get one free bulky-item pickup per year, up to about 3 cubic yards or 4 large items — call (909) 866-3942 to schedule.
For single small loads, the transfer station is cheapest. For bulky, heavy, or multi-item loads, full-service pickup is often comparable once disposal fees, truck rental, and time are counted — and the free on-site quote at +1 (425) 233-2945 makes it easy to compare before deciding.
More guides: all Big Bear junk & property guides · Related: weed abatement service, vacation rental turnovers, service areas.