Things to Do at Bear Lake State Park
Bear Lake State Park is one of the most beautiful places in Utah. Located on the border between Utah and Idaho, Bear Lake offers breathtaking views of mountains, forests, and the lake itself.
There are plenty of things to do at Bear Lake State Park, ranging from swimming to fishing and hiking. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful day outdoors or an adventure-filled weekend getaway, there’s something for everyone at this Utah State Park.
Known for its turquoise-blue water, this Utah vacation spot is often called the Caribbean of the Rockies. Keep reading to see how you can have a blast and make some memories at Bear Lake State Park!
Use our Utah Packing Lists to make sure you have the right clothing and gear for visiting in the summer (UV protection clothing, sunscreen, lotion)! Grab your free printable packing checklist by clicking the image below!
This site contains affiliate links which means WE may receive commissions for purchases made through these links. We only provide links to products we actually use and/or wholeheartedly recommend! As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Read the full Disclosure Policy.
Why Visit Bear Lake State Park?
Bear Lake State Park is the perfect place to visit in Utah in the summer to enjoy outdoor water activities.
The temperatures during the summer months are generally mild with average daily highs reaching up to 80 degrees F. At night, temperatures drop down into the low 50s so you can enjoy pleasant evenings outdoors without feeling too hot or cold.
Things To Do at Bear Lake State Park
Bear Lake State Park offers a variety of recreational activities including fishing, boating, swimming, kayaking, hiking and camping. With its sandy beaches and clear waters it’s perfect for enjoying time on the lake.
Bear Lake Boating and Water Sports
Wakeboard boats, jet skis, pontoon boats, ski boats, and fishing boats are all available for rent for any water excursion you want. You can also bring your own. These rental companies usually offer affordable packages.
Bear Lake Fishing
In Bear Lake, trophy-sized Cutthroat trout and lake trout can be found. During the winter, you can catch the Bonneville Cisco through holes in the ice on Bear Lake. Local guides can take visitors fishing for trout and bow carp all year round.
Bear Lake Hiking
Bear Lake is surrounded by national forests, making hiking and mountain biking popular activities.
With just a mile-and-a-half-long loop, Limber Pine is a favorite for anyone looking to relax and see wildlife. On Highway 89, the road that leads to Logan Canyon, you will find the trailhead seven miles west of Bear Lake. About 20 minutes up Logan Canyon from Bear Lake is the nine-mile Sink Hollow Trail, near Beaver Mountain Ski Area on Beaver Creek Road. Before reaching a small lake, this trail crosses sagebrush meadows and aspen groves. Almost 50 miles of road biking can be done around the lake.
Bear Lake Beaches
The most famous beaches at Bear Lake are Rendezvous Beach and Ideal Beach in Utah, as well as North Beach and East Beach in Idaho. These beaches have different water levels and temperatures. Ensure the conditions are right for a fun beach day ahead of time. There is nothing like crystalline brilliant blue waters to make you feel like you are in the Caribbean!
Bear Lake Swimming
Bear Lake has an average depth of 94 feet and a maximum of 208 feet. You will find the deepest and steepest parts of the lake on the east side. Swimming, boating, kayaking, and simply relaxing on the beach are popular activities at Bear Lake.
Bear Lake Scenic Drives
Drive around Bear Lake and see the gorgeous natural scenery, such as the Oregon Trail-Bear Lake Scenic Byway, Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway, Bear River Heritage Area, or Bloomington Lake, if you feel like getting out of the water. On these Utah Scenic Drives you will get panoramic views of the lake and the Bear River Valley.
Bear Lake Birdwatching
One of the best places to watch birds in the Bear Lake area is the Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge, about 10 miles from Montpelier. The refuge has sandhill cranes, herons, snowy egrets, white pelicans, and lots of ducks and geese. At the refuge, you can walk trails to see birds and other wildlife.
Looking for an affordable lens for wildlife? Check out our review and why we LOVE the Nikon 500mm f5.6 lens for nature photography!
Bear Lake Raspberry Shakes
The Bear Lake raspberry shake is the area’s signature dessert. There are plenty of places in Garden City where you can get thick shakes made with local raspberries (in season) and local ice cream, but LeBeau’s, Quick-N-Tasty, and Hometown Drive Inn are some of the best.
Bear Lake Camping
Camping at Bear Lake State Park is a great way to reconnect with nature and create lasting memories. Over 500 developed campsites around Bear Lake have hookups and tent sites (many have electricity, water, and even showers). There are also over 300 campsites in scenic canyons. Everywhere you look, there is a picnic area.
At Bear Lake State Park, Rendezvous Beach has individual and group camping with hookups.
There are four primitive campgrounds on the Eastside, where some campsites can be reserved, but others are first-come, first-served. It is best to make camping reservations in advance.
More Things To Do Near Bear Lake
Utah Bucket List
To help make your trip planning easier, we’ve compiled this comprehensive list of must-do activities that belong on every Utah Bucket List: things to see, do and taste all around the state! Grab the free download by clicking the graphic below!
