Bear Lake Valley: A Little Piece of Paradise
Centrally located between Yellowstone National Park, Salt Lake City, and Jackson, Wyoming is a little piece of paradise known as Bear Lake Valley.
With intense blue water, breathtaking views, star-filled skies and mountain vistas, Bear Lake Valley not only has some of the most beautiful scenery around, the area also offers vacationers an extraordinary amount of diverse options for fun – no matter the season!
Water Activities at Bear Lake
The turquoise waters of Bear Lake are so incredibly vibrant that the lake has earned the title ‘The Caribbean of the Rockies’. Changing shades of blue depending on cloud cover, the water is not only breathtakingly beautiful, it also provides vacationers with an endless amount of activities and opportunities for fun in the sun. Boating is one of the most popular water activities, and the 20 mile long, 8 mile wide natural lake offers plenty of room for all types of watercraft. Visitors can rent a variety of boats including speed boats and fishing boats. Wave runners, jet skis, paddle boards, skimboards, rafts, kayaks, and canoes are also available. The gentle waters off the beaches provide an ideal spot for swimming. Even the white sand beaches provide hours of enjoyment picnicking, building sand castles and sunning.
Off the Water Fun at Bear Lake
Need some time away from the water? Since the northern half of Bear Lake is located in Idaho and the southern half in Utah with the state lines dividing it, vacationers will find a plethora of fun-filled options located all around the lake as well.
For those craving the outdoors, the mountains offer the ideal spot for hiking, backpacking, camping and site seeing. Trails for novice to expert backpackers and hikers can be found in the beautiful nearby Wasatch Cache National Forest. There are miles of trails for ATVs and bikes, and adventurers can even explore some of the surrounding area’s caves. Hunting is another popular activity, as is glamping at the Conestoga Ranch. Spend a day surrounded by natural beauty while driving down the Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway or the Oregon Trail Bear Lake Scenic Byway; and one of the nation’s most amazing national parks, Yellowstone, is just a few hours’ drive away!
Quaint towns dot the banks on both sides of the lake where one can find shopping, dining and entertainment. Take the kids go kart racing, horseback riding or swimming in one of the many pools, and then head out for the evening to eat at one of the many restaurants, followed by live theater, music or a movie. And be sure to try one of the World Famous Raspberry Shakes – made with locally grown raspberries these shakes are a MUST DO for anyone coming to Bear Lake!
On the western shore of Bear Lake, a little north of Garden City, Utah, is the Bear Lake State Park and Marina. Here one can spend the day immersed in nature, and its facilities and sandy beaches makes it the perfect place for boating, fishing, playing, and camping. On the Idaho side is another state park, also named Bear Lake State Park, that offers visitors gorgeous mile long beaches, boat ramps, camping areas, hiking trails and more. On the north end of the lake sits the Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge where bird watchers and wildlife lovers can spend hours observing the areas wildlife and fauna.
Accommodations At Bear Lake
Whether you are looking to spend the weekend, a week, or even longer, Bear Lake Valley offers several options for accommodations. Set up at one of the campgrounds or RV sites, or rent a cabin, condo or other vacation rental. Hotels and inns are located in the towns around the lake, or you can ‘rough it’ and camp out!
Family Fun All Year Long at Bear Lake Valley
Spring and Summer are not the only time to visit Bear Lake and the surrounding areas! Enjoy the amazing colors of the changing leaves during the fall, and winter brings with it downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, ice fishing and more.
Plan Your Vacation to Bear Lake Valley Today!
With Spring break and Summer on the way, Bear Lake Valley is the ideal destination for anyone looking to get away from it all for a day, weekend, or longer!
Learn more about Bear Lake Valley through the Bear Lake CVB’s website here.
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What would you like to experience at Bear Lake Valley? Have you ever been there?
Laurie
Tuesday 3rd of May 2016
I haven't been to Bear Lake Valley, and unfortunately never heard of it. It sounds like my kind of place though - I love nature and all kinds of outdoor activities. The pictures you have posted look amazing, I will have to check into it, thanks for sharing!