Summer Activities
Water Sports
Bear Lake has over 160 square miles of turquoise-blue water. The lake is so large, you feel as if you have it all to yourselves. 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! The Bear Lake West Pool and Hot Tub offer a fun alternative to the lake. The swimming pool and hot tub are for use by POA members and their guests only. Guests must be accompanied by a member. Membership cards must be presented at the desk in the golf shop to sign in prior to using the pool and/or hot tub. Typically, the pool and hot tub are open Memorial Day to Labor Day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. However, due to Covid-19, the Idaho Governor’s has ordered that all public pools must remain closed until the Stage 3 re-opening phase is implemented. June 1st is currently the target date for Stage 3 to begin.
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.
Water-skiing or Wake Surfing
Water-skiing and wake surfing are some 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.
Golfing
Bear Lake West is home to a beautiful 9-hole mountain course located above the crystal clear waters of Bear Lake between Garden City and Fish Haven. Bear Lake West Golf Course provides a recreational golfing experience at an affordable price. A perfect course for all skill levels and abilities, Bear Lake West offers a great outing for the whole family.They have rental clubs, carts, pull carts, and everything else you need including a fully stocked pro-shop. Click here for prices, tee times, and more information.
Cave Exploration
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 a 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.
Horseback Riding
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. For horseback riding packages, click here to visit Beaver Creek Lodge.
Hiking and Biking
Even as the temperatures heat up in the valley, the canyons surrounding Bear Lake offer a refreshing respite to the heat. The area is chock-full of worthy hiking and mountain bike trails, and their difficulty range covers just about any hiker or biker’s ability, from amateur to expert. Bring your bike or pick up a rental in town. Novices can check out Beaver Creek’s dirt-road trail, while more experienced riders should jump into the rolling singletrack of Bunchgrass or Jardine Juniper. Click here for a list of several picturesque trails in the Bear Lake Valley.
Dining and Raspberry Shakes!
Of course the easiest and sweetest thing to do in the summer is to stop by a roadside berry stand and pick up a carton to eat plain, by the mouthful. Then, stop by any diner or fast-food counter in town and get a local raspberry shake. 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! Click here for a list of local eateries that are open during the Summer.