Category: Bear Lake Recreation

ATV Trails & Maps

The Bear Lake Valley has hundreds of miles of ATV trails winding through our beautiful mountains in Utah and Idaho. You can find online and print maps on the websites below. Rich County/Bear Lake Interactive Trails Map on ArcGIS Southeast Idaho Interactive Trails Map on ArcGIS Rich County Trails Guide (PDF 7mb) Utah DNR State Park website has ATV Maps, Registration and Laws.  ARCGIS Interactive Utah Parks ATV & Bike Trail Map. Idaho Parks & Recreation website provides Trail Maps, Registration information. Bear Lake Points of Interest OHV map. You can also pick up printed trail maps at Forest Service offices Monday through Friday. Montpelier Ranger District  322 N. 4th Street Montpelier, ID 83254 (208) 847-0375 Soda Springs Ranger District 410 East Hooper Ave Soda Springs, ID 59758 (208) 547-4356 Required Equipment ATV/UTV and Dirt on paved roads  State of Idaho   State of Utah  Find ATV Rentals, License Vendors and Gear Stores

Beach Map

Bear Lake Beaches in Utah and Idaho Build a sand castle in Bear Lakes whitest, most pristine sand in Utah. Wade in the shallow water and float on your water toys and go for a swim! Most beaches have a boat dock to launch your boat and jet skis.

Bike and Hiking Trails

Photo by Mimi Lopez Photography Bear Lake Bike & Hiking Trails As spring makes its way into Bear Lake, early leaves and flowers welcome you as you ride or walk a lake or mountain trail. Temperatures are mild, even during the middle of the summer, so hiking is pleasant. The fall months of September and October are some of the prettiest and most scenic with the brightly colored leaves and the tranquility of the lake.  Find Bike and Recreation Rentals! Southeast Idaho Interactive Trails Map on ArcGIS Rich County/Bear Lake Interactive Trails Map on ArcGIS Rich County Trails Guide (PDF 7mb) Utah DNR State Park website has ATV Maps, Registration and Laws.  ARCGIS Interactive Utah Parks ATV & Bike Trail Map. Idaho Parks & Recreation – Trail Maps, Registration information. US Forest Service ATV trail map of the Montpelier/Bear Lake Area. US Forest Service Motor Vehicle Trial Map of the Logan Ranger District. Bear Lake Points of Interest OHV map. Our Main Trails with maps are at the bottom of the page. Here are some other trails without maps: Garden City Park Walkway A raised wooden walkway to the lake at Garden City Park. Limber Pine Trail A relaxing one mile loop to the 2,000 year old limber pine. Great Western Trail A trail that extends from the Arizona border all the way to the Canadian border.  It passes through the Bear Lake area. Logan Canyon Trails Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway is home to several great mountain biking trails.   Highline Trail A 55-mile trail accessible from Bloomington Canyon, Paris Canyon, Emigration Canyon and Logan Canyon.  Hodges Canyon  The trail passes through the South Sinks area, near the top. 

Bird Watching

Bear Lake Valley Bird Watching The entire Bear Lake Valley is a haven for birds of many species. The best place to go birding is at the Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge which is located on the north shore of Bear Lake. Over 1,760 acres of marsh, open water and grasslands have been dedicated to preserving bird and wildlife habitats. The reserve is home to sandhill cranes, herons, snowy egret, white pelicans and a variety of ducks and geese species. The Refuge has one of the largest Canada geese producing areas in the western United States. Walking trails take you to view the birds and other wildlife found at the refuge. Free Birding Trails in Southeast Idaho Brochure As you drive along the shores of Bear Lake or along a nearby canyon road, don’t be surprised if you see mule deer in the early spring sampling the fresh green leaves and foliage. Perhaps you may spot a moose knee-high in a mountain creek or see trumpeter swans and pelicans floating on the lake. Bring along your binoculars and see what you can spot!

Boat Ramps

Boat Ramps in Bear Lake in Utah and Idaho Map of at Bear Lake Idaho and Utah boat ramps to dock your boat and jet skis. Please check Boat Ramp Conditions on the Utah State Park Boat Ramp Conditions website.  

Byways & Scenery

Bear Lake Area Byways & Scenery The Bear Lake Valley is filled with beautiful scenery! Take a scenic road trip along the Oregon Trail Bear Lake Scenic Byway and learn about the history of the valley. Drive through beautiful the Logan Canyon Byway and view amazing scenery and wildlife. Wander the Bear Lake Valley countryside and mountains. Bear Lake is a photographer’s paradise so bring your camera and get some beautiful pictures!

Cave Exploration

Explore Caves in the Bear Lake Valley   Minnetonka Cave is a fascinating 9-room cave of stalactites, stalagmites and banded travertine that was originally found by grouse hunters. Don’t miss one of the most striking stalactites in the cave, called the Bride, known for its lacy appearance. Three stalagmites, over 10 feet high, have diameters of nearly four feet. Enjoy a guided 90-minute, half-mile walk into this beautiful cave. Be prepared for the 400 steps up and down in the cave and bring a jacket, since the cave is cool at about 40 degrees year round. The road up St. Charles Main Canyon is paved to the mouth of the cave. The cave isn’t accessible until mountain snows have melted.  Visitors can tour the cave from June through Labor day. The Paris Ice Cave is also an interest landmark in the valley. Although not as spectacular as the Minnetonka, visitors enjoy its interesting aura. Just follow the signs up Paris Main Canyon.   This cave is open year round but is only accessible by snowmobile during the winter months.  Most years you can drive to the cave June through October.  If you’d like to check road conditions, contact the Montpelier Ranger District by calling 208-847-0375.

Cross Country Skiing & Snowshoeing

Bear Lake Cross  Country Skiing & Snowshoeing When winter settles in to the Bear Lake Valley, you can often ski right from your room. Excellent cross-country skiing can be found at the Bear Lake Golf Course. Nearby Logan Canyon and Idaho’s Emigration Canyon also offer scenic trails through Bear Lake’s well-known pristine mountain wilderness. Call 1-800-448-2327 to find out about ski rentals and trail information. Find Maps and Trail Grooming info on the Nordic United website. Find Nordic Ski Rentals Stores Groomed Cross Country Ski trail on the shore of Bear Lake in Utah

Entertainment

Bear Lake Valley Entertainment There’s lots of great entertainment in Bear Lake including Dancing, Miniature Golf, Go-Karts, Movies, Bowling, Zip Lining and Live Concerts and Pickleville Playhouse Plays!

Fishing & Ice Fishing

Fishing & Ice Fishing Spots Learn all about fishing in the Bear Lake Valley.  Explore Pugstone Sporting’s Awesome Fishing Map of Bear Lake!

Food & Drinks

Bear Lake Restaurants & Pubs Bear Lake offers all types of dining experiences including fine dining, restaurants, fast food, drive ins and convenience store delis. Don’t leave the valley without a famous Bear Lake Raspberry Shake! Several restaurants also serve alcohol.  

Golf Courses

Bear Lake Valley Golf Courses Three beautiful and challenging Bear Lake Valley Golf Courses make for a perfect day of golf. They are open in the spring, summer and fall. Two golf courses with spectacular views of the Bear Lake are located on scenic hillsides by Garden City, Utah and Fish Haven, Idaho. The third is a challenging municipal course in Montpelier, Idaho. Each facility has reasonable green fees and the course designs are ready to test your golfing abilities.

History Activities

Bear Lake Valley Museums, Byways & Historic Activities History of the Bear Lake Valley | Monuments | Butch Cassidy The Bear Lake valley is a land rich in culture and history ranging from its pioneer ancestry and Oregon Trail to the influence of the railroad. So pull up a chair, sit a spell, and check out the links on the left to find out more about Bear Lake valley’s illustrious past! Experience Bear Lake Valley history at the amazing places below!

Horseback Riding

Horseback Riding in the Bear Lake Valley Trails in nearby Logan Canyon wind through the high mountain wilderness area. Just minutes from Bear Lake, you can be astride a horse and a million miles from home. As you ride through the picturesque canyon trails, enjoy nature and the wildlife of the Rocky Mountains. Bring your own horses and there are trails everywhere in the Cache and Caribou National Forests. Many hunters use horses during the fall hunting seasons in order to help transport downed big game animals in areas restricted to all vehicles. All hay entering the national forest must be certified “weed-free”.

Hunting

Hunting in the Bear Lake Valley Hunting in the Bear Lake valley dates back to the early settlers, native Americans and mountain men that first laid eyes on this area. Game birds and big game animals thrived in the valley. Today, the majestic Rocky Mountain Elk (Wapiti), the regal Mule Deer and the unique Shiras moose are elusive quarry of big game hunters. These healthy herds of game animals need to be managed through the use of hunting in order to ensure their survival. State wildlife managers carefully review local winter range carrying capacities, the ratio of males to females, and fawn mortality surveys to determine the availability of hunting permits and tags. Popular hunting equipment includes cartridge and black powder rifles and archery equipment such as compound, long, and recurve bows. Other local animals that have hunting and/or trapping seasons include ducks, geese, sage grouse, gray partridge, blue and ruffed grouse, black bears, bobcats, mountain lions (cougars), coyotes, fox, and wild turkey. Occasionally, reports come in with sightings of rare and protected animals such as wolverine, lynx, grizzly bears, (and even Bigfoot!); however, few sightings are confirmed, if any. Caution to Poachers True Bear Lake Valley outdoor enthusiasts love and respect the wild resources that we have here. We welcome all hunters and anglers to come and enjoy, however, poachers are not welcome here! The Bear Lake valley is patrolled by both Utah and Idaho law enforcement and conservation officers. Poachers of our fish and game are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law in order to protect our natural resources. If you witness any poaching activities, please call Idaho Citizens Against Poaching at 1-800-632-5999, or the Utah Poaching Hotline at 1-800-662-DEER. Contact Information Idaho Fish and Game – Bear Lake Idaho Hunting and Fishing information. Buy hunting and fishing licenses. Idaho hunting license vendors. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources – Bear Lake Utah Hunting and Fishing information. Buy hunting and fishing licenses.

Snow Skiing

Bear Lake Valley Snow Skiing   Winter opens the skiing and snowboarding season at our two excellent regional ski resorts. Beaver Mountain Ski Resort in nearby Logan Canyon and Pine Creek Ski Resort outside of Cokeville, Wyoming are located within an hour’s travel time from any place in the Bear Lake valley. Avoid those long lift lines and expensive major resort prices. Come and discover the great snow in the Bear Lake area! Find Ski and Snowboard Rentals Stores.

Snowmobiling

Snowmobiling in the Bear Lake Valley   The Bear Lake valley and its surrounding mountain ranges have over 350 miles of groomed snowmobile trails and wide open play areas with no crowds and no fences! There are many connecting groomed trails that take you by spectacular wonders. Southeast Idaho Interactive Snowmobile Trail Map Northeast Utah Interactive Snowmobile Trail Maps You may discover a cascading winter waterfall or follow an almost-frozen stream. You may even catch a glimpse of a wintering elk or moose! Off the groomed trails, you can seemingly drive forever in wide opens places or climb the mountains for a spectacular view of turquoise Bear Lake and the surrounding hillsides. The snowmobile season starts in late November and extends into April. The variety of terrain and spectacular scenery offers snowmobilers of all ability levels the chance to find challenges and fun! Watch Bear Lake Videos On YouTube Notice for Snowmobilers Riding in Idaho: Register Your Snowmobile! – Idaho law requires all snowmobiles to display either a current resident or a current non-resident registration sticker. Violators will be subject to a citation under code 67-7103. Idaho Parks and Recreation Website – Snowmobile registration information. Utah State Parks – Online snowmobile registration, rules and info Registration Available at the Following Vendors: Bear Lake County Courthouse, Paris, Idaho – 208-945-2155 Paris Country Store, Paris, Idaho – 208-945-2292 Bear Lake Sports, Montpelier, Idaho – 208-847-2119 Bear Lake Chevron, Garden City, Utah – 435-946-3604  Southeast Idaho Printed Snowmobile Trail Maps Find Snowmobile Rentals, License Vendors and Gear Stores.

Sports Rentals & Stores

Bear Lake Recreation Equipment Rentals & Sales If you don’t own your own recreation equipment you can rent it! Rent ATVs, UTVs, RZRs, Boats, Sea-Doos, Jet Skis, SUP-Boards, Wakeboards and Snowmobiles. You can also buy beach toys, swimming gear, camping gear, fishing supplies and licenses.

Water Sports Map

BEAR LAKE WATER SPORTS Bear Lake straddles the Utah / Idaho state boundary line and has over 160 square miles of turquoise-blue water. The lake is so large, you feel as if you have it all to yourselves. This resort area is known for excellent boating and water-skiing. Seven boat ramps are located around the lake, to make launching your boat a breeze. Bear Lake State Park Marina has 305 boat slips and a 5-lane boat ramp, while Idaho’s North Beach has two boat unloading ramps and sandy beaches. JET SKIING Jet skis and wave runners are popular water fun on the lake. They can be rented at locations in Garden City, Utah and Paris, Idaho, some right on the beach. SWIMMING Swimming off the nice, gentle beaches of Bear Lake is fun for the whole family. Be sure to bring a sun umbrella, a picnic lunch and a beach ball! There are several swimming pools listed below including the Garden City Indoor Community Pool. Also, many make the trek to Bloomington Lake near Bloomington, Idaho to brave the chilly waters. BOATING Boating is a popular activity at Bear Lake. The lake is 20 miles long and 8 miles wide, providing space for many different types of watercraft. Find Boat Ramps on our Bear Lake Google Interactive Map. WATER-SKIING Water-skiing is one of the favorite sports on the lake. And you don’t have to worry about riding across the wake of another boat. Plenty of room and no crowds! SAILING Bring your own sailing boat since scenic Bear Lake has always been a popular location to unfurl the sails, because a gentle breeze rolls off the lake generally in the early afternoons. Glide on the lake and enjoy one of its spectacular sunsets. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION If you would like more information about swimming, boating, picnic and camping activities at Bear Lake, visit Bear Lake State Park – Idaho and Bear Lake State Park – Utah. Rent Sports Equipment including Boats, Sea-Doos, Jet Skis, SUP-Boards & Wakeboards