Caltrans to fully close SR-18 between Big Bear Dam and Snow Valley Oct. 26–30

Caltrans will fully close State Route 18 between the Big Bear Dam and Snow Valley from Monday, Oct. 26, through Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day^[1]. Many residents, workers and visitors use this stretch of highway to get to and from Big Bear Valley, so anyone making a weekday daytime trip up or down the mountain should plan around the closure. Crews will use the closure hours for rockfall removal, landslide mitigation and other maintenance to keep the road safe ahead of winter and storm events^[1].

During work hours, motorists are being directed to two alternate routes: State Route 18 through Lucerne Valley and State Route 38 through Mentone and Redlands^[1]. The announcement does not give estimated detour times.

The announcement also does not say whether emergency vehicles, school transportation or local deliveries will get through during closure hours. It does not say whether the road will reopen to traffic outside the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. window, beyond what the daily schedule implies. The material available to Big Bear News does not explain why Caltrans chose weekday daytime hours.

The closure runs for five days in a row and ends Friday, Oct. 30^[1]. Drivers who need to travel during the day that week should plan ahead to use the Lucerne Valley or Mentone/Redlands route.