Bear Lake

Bear Lake, often referred to as the “Caribbean of the Rockies” for its intense turquoise blue water, is a natural freshwater lake situated on the Utah-Idaho border in the Western United States. With its brilliant blue-green waters (the result of calcium carbonates suspended in the lake) combined with sandy beaches and surrounding mountains, Bear Lake offers a paradise to any outdoor enthusiast. In the summer, enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, jet skiing, sailing, hiking, bird and wildlife watching. Ice fishing and snow skiing are popular activities in the winter. The surrounding communities embrace their pioneer heritage and thrive on their agricultural and tourism industries.

Formed 28,000 years ago by earthquake activity, Bear Lake sits at an elevation of 5,923 feet. The lake is 20 miles long, eight miles wide, 208 feet deep, and covers 112 square miles.

Bear Lake was originally called Black Bear Lake by Donald Mackenzie, an explorer for the North West Fur Company who discovered it in 1819 while scouting for fur-bearing animals. The name was later changed to Bear Lake.

Rendezvous Beach (Bear Lake State Park) is named for the famous rendezvous of fur trappers and Indians held in the summers of 1827 and 1828. A thousand or more Native Americans and mountain men – including Jedediah Smith – attended the gatherings. There were so many campfires at the south end of the lake at these trading sessions that one observer called the area “a lighted city.”

East Side areas of Cisco Beach, South Eden, North Eden, Rainbow Cove, and First Point: These improved, but primitive areas are located on the east side of the lake and are four to twelve miles north of Laketown. The terrain is rocky and the water depth drops off quickly to 208 feet.

Cisco Beach is famous for its midwinter fishing with dip nets for the small, seven-inch Bonneville Cisco, a member of the whitefish family. For 10 days to two weeks at the end of every January, swarms of Cisco come close to the rocky shore to spawn. They are easily scooped up by hardy fishermen wading waist-deep in the icy water or through holes in the ice if the lake is frozen.

Cisco Beach is also known for excellent inland water scuba diving opportunities. The rocky bottom and the steep drop-off close to shore make this location a favorite of divers from the tri-state area.

Regardless of what brings you to this beautiful lake, we invite you to join us in our unwavering commitment to keep Bear Lake clean, deep and blue.