I have had the pleasure of visiting some breathtaking bodies of water in Idaho. Hayden Lake (located in Coeur d’Alene) is completely engulfed in evergreens. I’ve visited Mesa Falls a number of times and I’m always in awe. As a teenager, I went on a 3-day backpacking trip to Upper Palisades Lake, an experience unlike any other!
Currently, I’m lucky to live near a truly spectacular place located near the Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming borders. Nestled in a beautiful valley is a 100+ square mile freshwater lake known as Bear Lake.
While many lakes tend to be somewhat murky and green, Bear Lake maintains a clear and stunning turquoise color; hence the lake’s nickname: the Caribbean of the Rockies.
My husband and I own Lodgistics Rentals, a vacation rental management company based out of the Bear Lake area. We make a livelihood out of helping travelers find great lodging during their vacation here. I have some insights and tips for those who haven’t visited Bear Lake before!
What to Do On Your Visit
There are several rental shops around town, whether it be jet skis, bicycles, paddle boards, kayaks, or ATVs you are after. You can find some high-quality and affordable equipment to make the most out of your time here.
There are also many fun, public beaches in the area, although they get rather crowded during the summer. Starting in the summer of 2022, there will be an online reservation for North Beach, ensuring that visitors do not get turned away as they have in years past. Do some research on Bear Lake’s beaches to make sure you get a reservation if you need one. It’s not a bad idea to have a couple of backup beaches in case you need to change plans.
During your visit to the Bear Lake Valley, you will notice a common theme: bears and raspberries. The local high school mascot is a bear, and raspberries grow in abundance throughout the valley. All over the area, you can find shops with homemade raspberry syrup, jams, and chocolates.
People come from all over to try the famous raspberry shakes. It’s up for debate who has the best raspberry shake; you can decide for yourself! My personal favorites are found at La Beau’s (also La Beau’s Too, which is right across the street) and The Bear Cave. They are both made of raspberries and ice cream, yet they have their own signature flavors!
What food can you expect to eat while in town? Plan on burgers and fries! It seems wrong to leave Bear Lake without having a traditional American meal: cheeseburger, tater tots, fry sauce, and a raspberry shake to top it off. It’s a meal that I have yet to get sick of, and I’ve lived here for three years now! You can also find great Mexican food, coffee and soda shops, crepes, Bistro-style dining, pizza, Hawaiian food, salads, sandwiches, and more.
There’s something for pretty much everyone at Bear Lake! Enjoy golfing, water sports, museums, hiking, cave exploring, swimming, biking, and so much more.
Visit During the Off-Season for Fewer Crowds
Don’t limit your Bear Lake travel to just the summer months. The valley has so much to offer travelers in the winter, too! I personally love to snuggle up indoors and read a book by the fire. Many vacation rentals also have outdoor hot tubs which are delightful when it is cold outside.
For those who are interested in outdoor recreation, Bear Lake winters have plenty of space for snowmobiling and sledding. There is a ski resort called Beaver Mountain just 30 minutes away from Garden City. I’ve never enjoyed sledding as much as I have in the Logan Canyon “sinks”. This year, the lake froze over which allowed people to explore a different version of Bear Lake.
Fall and spring are also great times to visit the area. My favorite part is the lack of crowds! Summer brings thousands of travelers and the lines can get out of hand. But if you go between Labor Day and Memorial Day, you can enjoy wide open spaces and quick service! The fall foliage in the surrounding canyons is a must-see.
Travel Dates that I Wouldn’t Recommend
There are three general time frames that I wouldn’t recommend someone visit Bear Lake. July 3-4 (Independence Day), the weekend of July 24 (Utah’s Pioneer Day), and the first week of August (Raspberry Days). These are all enjoyable times to visit if you don’t mind crowds! However, if you’re a first-time Bear Lake visitor, it might be best to book your vacation for a different time.
What the Locals Want You to Know
Many of Bear Lake’s visitors come from bigger cities that are more densely populated and offer abundant services. Be prepared when you visit the area to not have close access to services like shopping. There is a small grocery store and a few restaurants but nothing like you would see in bigger tourist destinations like Park City or Jackson Hole.
Bear Lake County has always been a small, tight-knit community. The last decade has brought more visitors than ever, and with upcoming development and people working remotely, it’s likely to keep growing. It’s understandable why the locals don’t love the change. Even if it feels like a small town to you, be aware that the long-time Bear Lakers feel like their home is being overrun by out-of-towners.
Be attentive on the roads and sidewalks. Garden City, Fish Haven, and Laketown have all seen unprecedented numbers of visitors in the last couple of years. Unfortunately, the current road system isn’t very accommodating for that many vehicles and pedestrians. As I’ve driven on those roads in the last couple of years—back-and-forth to clean and manage vacation rentals—I have noticed several distracted drivers. The main roads at Bear Lake are only two lanes, which can be problematic if there are reckless drivers or inattentive bikers and pedestrians. Remember that it’s a small town with lots of visiting families! Take it slow, be aware, and give yourself enough time to travel to your destination.
