Bear Lake State Park

Bear Lake State Park, located near Bear Lake, offers a variety of campsites, RV parks, and outdoor adventures. Visitors can explore nature and engage in activities such as hiking, biking, and fishing.

Overview of Bear Lake State Park

Bear Lake State Park is a stunning destination located on the North and East Shores of Beautiful Bear Lake, a 20-mile-long lake shared by Idaho and Utah. The park offers easy access to the Cache National Forest and is close to Minnitonka Cave and the National Oregon Trail Center in Montpelier, Idaho. With its breathtaking scenery and abundant recreational opportunities, Bear Lake State Park is an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Bear Lake State Park

Bear Lake State Park, nestled along the Cache mountain range of the Rockies and the beautiful turquoise waters of Bear Lake is a popular tourist destination in Idaho. Bear Lake, often referred to as the “Caribbean of the Rockies” because of its bluish green color, borders Idaho and Utah.

The area around the expansive 70,000 acre Bear Lake provides resort activities to guests of both states. Guests to Bear Lake State Park in Idaho have opportunities to camp, swim, boat, fish, picnic, bird watch, and more.

Head over to Bear Lake State Park for a good old fashioned summer vacation. Bring your tent, trailer, or RV and spend a few peaceful nights in the park’s campground area. During the day you’ll have plenty of water activities to keep you busy! Additionally, there is a KOA campground nearby offering amenities such as water and sewer hookups, electric connections, WiFi, and recreational options like fishing and swimming.

The park’s scenic picnic areas are equipped with shelters, tables, grills, restrooms, and drinking water for a more comfortable stay. Don’t forget to pick up a souvenir inside the Visitor Center Nature Store. For added relaxation, guests can enjoy the heated pool available at the campground.

And if you’re still looking for more entertainment you can always head over to the Utah Bear Lake State Park.

Here are some of the activities that you can do during your visit to Bear Lake State Park:

Boating at Bear Lake State Park

Bring your canoe, kayak, sail boat, or other boating vessel and enjoy a day out on the expansive lake inside Bear Lake State Park. The beautiful turquoise waters and surrounding resort areas are perfect for sailing and water skiing. Paddle board rentals are available inside the park. Boats, Jet skis, wave runners, and more may be rented nearby in Paris, Idaho.

North Beach has 2 boat ramps and Bear Lake State Park Marina on the Utah side has 5 boat ramps and 305 boat slips.

Swimming at North Beach, Bear Lake State Park

Prepare to fall in love with beautiful Bear Lake! This gorgeous lake, with its turquoise waters, has been nicknamed the “Caribbean of the Rockies.” The lake is 20 miles long and 8 miles wide, half lies in Idaho and the other in Utah. Visitors in either state enjoy swimming here during the summer.

The North Beach has a large swimming area where the water gradually becomes deeper allowing for guests of all ages to enjoy some fun in the lake.

Fishing at Bear Lake State Park

Pack up your fishing gear and don’t forget to pick up an Idaho Fishing License, Bear Lake State Park features some of the best fishing conditions in the state.

The 70,000 acre Bear Lake – often referred to as the Caribbean of the Rockies, because of its deep and sparkling bluish waters – contains 4 fish species that do not exist anywhere else in the world! These unique species are the Bonneville Cisco, Bonneville Whitefish, Bear Lake Whitefish, and the Bear Lake Sculpin.

Anglers may also catch Rainbow Trout, Lake Trout, whitefish, and carp here. And ice fishing for Bonneville Cisco is very popular in the winter.

Birding at Bear Lake State Park

Bear Lake State Park is a wonderful place to view waterbirds, nesting waterfowl, and many other bird species. Canada Geese, Sandhill Cranes, Great Horned Owls, White-faced Ibis, Caspian Terns, Great Blue Herons, Eared Grebes, Killdeer, Mallards, Double-crested Cormorants, and American Bitterns have all been sighted throughout this area.

The Idaho Birding Trail provides detailed information, maps, and other resources to make your bird watching adventures more interesting.

Nature and Wildlife at Bear Lake State Park

Idaho’s scenic mountains, grasslands, rivers, and lakes are home to various species of wildlife. Many hundreds of bird species, both native and migratory, may be seen throughout this area. The East Beach is a protective area for wintering mule deer. Visitors may also see moose, rabbits, and muskrats.

Pets at Bear Lake State Park

Pets are allowed at Bear Lake State Park but not at the North Beach. Pets need to be supervised and kept on a hand held leash 6 feet or shorter.

Camping and RV Sites at Bear Lake State Park

Bear Lake State Park provides a variety of camping options for guests interested in spending the night along Bear Lake. RV parks with full hookups and other amenities are also available for those seeking more comfortable accommodations.

The campground has serviced campsites that include water and electric campsites, tent only campsites, and group camping areas. Each site has a picnic table, charcoal grill, and a fire ring, and are located near restrooms and showers. North Fork is another popular camping site that offers unique experiences and amenities for visitors.

The group camping areas accommodate parties of up to 50 people.

Park Location

Bear Lake State Park
25 East 300 North
St Charles, ID 83272
Phone: 208.945.2325

Park Website

Map

Video

Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Bear Lake State Park:

Campsite Features

Bear Lake State Park offers a range of campsites to suit different needs and preferences. The park has RV sites with full hookups, as well as tent sites and camping cabins. The campsites are equipped with amenities such as picnic tables, grills, and restrooms. Some campsites also offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and lake. The park’s RV park has a laundry room and dump station, making it a convenient option for RV travelers.

Nearby Attractions

Bear Lake State Park is surrounded by a range of attractions and activities that cater to different interests. Visitors can explore the nearby town of Garden City, Utah, which offers a range of shops, restaurants, and services. The park is also close to the Bear Lake Valley, which offers scenic drives, hiking trails, and opportunities for fishing and boating. For those interested in history, the National Oregon Trail Center in Montpelier, Idaho, is a must-visit attraction. The center offers insights into the history of the Oregon Trail and the pioneers who traveled through the region. Visitors can also explore the nearby Davis Canyon, which offers stunning scenery and opportunities for hiking and fishing. In the winter, the park is a popular destination for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.