Activities to Do at Bear Lake, Utah
- Bear Lake is a scenic backdrop for many activities.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
The nickname for Bear Lake is the 'Caribbean of the Rockies' because of its clear turquoise waters. It's the reflection of limestone deposits that give it the distinctive color. There are activities all year round, each season bringing fabulous sunsets and scenery. The lake is 20 miles long and eight miles wide. - Water skiing and wakeboarding are popular on the large lake, and jet skis can be hired at the beach. The space means that no one gets in anyone's way. The marinas contain several boat ramps, and many visitors go boating and sailing. Many people like to sail in the afternoons when there is usually a mild breeze. The beaches are sandy and good for swimming.
If fishing is your pastime, Bear Lake is a well known lake for cutthroat trout, and it holds the Idaho state record for a cutthroat weighing 19 lbs. Mackinaw (Lake Trout) also live in the lake and can grow more than 30 lbs. Other species caught include the Bear Lake sculpin, Bonneville whitefish, Bear Lake whitefish, and Bonneville cisco. Winter fishing is productive too, particularly for whitefish and trout during January and February. Ice covers the lake for four out of every five years. Trolling and jigging off the rock pile is a popular pastime, as is dip netting off the beach for Bonneville cisco during spawning in mid-January. - Golf is played throughout the spring, summer and fall, and the temperature is normally favorable. The courses have a view of the lake and are beautifully landscaped with hilly contours. The green fees are competitively priced, and the courses are challenging enough for seasoned players.
- Numerous trails attract hikers around the lake and in the mountains. The fall is particularly scenic as the leaves change color. The most challenging trails are in the canyons on the west side. Cyclists and mountain bikers can follow trails too. Horseback riders go to Logan Canyon and enjoy the Rocky Mountain scenery, flora and fauna. There are connecting trails for ATVs between Utah and Idaho.
- Downhill skiing and snowboarding is popular at the Beaver Mountain Ski Resort, and there are facilities for night skiing. The powder is superb, and people of all ages and skill levels are welcome. Four chairlifts are in operation. The season is from December to March. Cross-country skiing is also popular, and the trails frequented by ATVs during summer are used. Logan Canyon has suitable trails through the mountains. Visitors are allowed to bring their snowmobiles, or they can hire them from late November through to April.
