When planning your family vacation this summer, look no further than Bear Lake, Utah. Bear Lake borders Utah and Idaho and is a popular summer destination for families. The lake’s unique natural turquoise color is unlike any freshwater lake you are familiar with. The Bear Lake area is known for its family-friendly beaches and raspberry milkshakes. Bear Lake has so many fun options for all ages of families. This interactive map shows all of the recreational offerings in the area. In addition, Wander Camp has compiled a list of the best activities in Bear Lake for your family vacation this summer!
Bear Lake
Firstly, the lake itself can provide endless fun for days at a time. Bear Lake is a great option for families with kids of all ages. The lake’s depth increases very gradually, allowing you to wade out for over a hundred yards in most places. It has sandbars within this wading area where kids can play in the water safely. After you pass the safe wading area, the lake gets deep enough for a variety of water activities like boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, and more. The unique nature of Bear Lake is what draws many to it for their family vacations.
Some of the most highly recommended beaches include Rendezvous Beach on the southwest side of the lake, North Beach, and the Epic RV Park Marina. Bring beach toys, a large shade tent, food and cold drinks, and towels! Check out Bear Lake Fun to see some affordable and entertaining rentals for all ages. Whether you are looking to boat or just play in the water, they have a wide range of options to step up your vacation. Some fun ideas include renting a trampoline out on the water, paddleboards to use on the calm lake at sunset, and sea-doos to speed across the waves.
Fishing
In addition to the family friendly beaches, Bear Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Utah and is a popular fishing location. Some of the possible species you may catch include Bear River cutthroat trout, lake trout, Bonneville cisco, Bonneville whitefish, Bear Lake whitefish, and Bear Lake sculpin. The best options for fishing at Bear Lake are to take a boat out on the lake or to try from the shore of Cisco Beach (east side) or the Bear Lake State Park Marina. The marina is a fun place for families to visit. While there, walk along the docks and check out the different boats or visit the small restaurant and supply shop. There, you can purchase cheap food to feed to the countless fish anxiously waiting below the docks! Feeding the fish is a memorable and easy activity for children.
Bear Lake Wildlife Refuge
Check out marshland and ponds, as well as a number of native bird species at the Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Take a walk along any of the wildlife refuge’s trails to view over 160 bird species in the area. The refuge also offers a canoe trail (open in the later summer months for non-motorized boats), an observation route to drive along and cross country ski trails if you are visiting in the winter. No matter how you choose to enjoy this unique wildlife sanctuary, be sure to bring binoculars to identify the birds you see!
More Activities
Minnetonka Cave is located in St. Charles Canyon, which is northwest of Bear Lake. Take a day trip to go check out this half-mile long cavern. Be sure to book your tickets ahead of time and dress warmly as temperatures sharply drop inside the cave. They offer a guided tour that lasts for 90 minutes. The tour contains the cave’s 9 different rooms of stalactites and stalagmites. This activity is preferable for families with older children as the hike contains many steep steps.
Catch a show at the Pickleville Playhouse one night. Their productions are always a family favorite activity. Each Summer, they put on a couple of different plays. The small playhouse ensures that no matter where you sit you have a great view! This provides a cool and relaxing activity after a long day at the beach.
A trip to Bear Lake will not be complete without a raspberry shake. La Beau’s is the iconic Bear Lake shake shop with a long menu of 5 star flavors, but Quick N Tasty, Zipz, and Merlins are all great options. Another Bear lake favorite is to stock up on chocolate covered raspberries and cinnamon bears at The Chocolate Bear.
Next, the Bear Lake Raspberry Days is a multi-day festival that takes place every summer in Garden City. Plan your family vacation around Raspberry Days in order to enjoy the rodeo, parade, 5K, live concerts, fair, and other fun activities for the whole family.
Finally, head up to Logan Canyon or other surrounding areas for a fun hike with gorgeous views. Some popular hikes in close proximity to Bear Lake include Limber Pine Nature Trail and Bloomington Lake Trail. The Limber Pine Nature Trail is a 1.4-mile loop through an ancient forest with a 560-year-old limber pine tree. Bloomington Lake Trail has gorgeous views of a small lake nestled between sharp cliffs and tall trees. Try mountain biking in the Logan Area on the many different trails. Use this website to find a trail with a difficulty level that is just right for your group.
Use our guide while planning your ideal family vacation to Bear Lake, Utah this summer. In addition, check out the Wander Camp website for lodging during your stay or travel inspiration for other locations. Wander Camp’s large luxury camping tents make for a fun and unique stay in Bear Lake, enjoyable for both parents and children. Book with us to begin creating your family memories today!
Written by Maggie Jackson