Description
Bear Lake State Park offers three recreation areas: Rendezvous Beach, Bear Lake Marina, and East Beach. The park hosts many annual events such as a Mountain Man Rendezvous and Bear Lake Raspberry Days.

Bear Lake is often called the Caribbean of the Rockies for its intense turquoise-blue water. As visitors catch their first glimpse of the lake, they marvel at its color and wonder what makes the lake so blue. The unique color is due to the reflection of the limestone deposits suspended in the lake.

The state park offers a developed marina with paved boat ramps and boat slips. In addition, there are boat ramps at several other places around the lake.

Each season lends its own characteristic to the lake. Year-round, visitors enjoy a number of recreational and cultural activities. Experience the rush of snowmobiling in the nearby mountains. Ski nearby at family-owned Beaver Mountain resort. Navigate your personal watercraft across the turquoise water. Feel the rod-bending excitement of a Bear Lake cutthroat on the end of your fishing line. Sail off into the sunset. Explore America's past and discover the stories about mountain men, fur trappers and Mormon pioneers.

The Bear Lake Valley is a great location for a family or business retreat. Hold your meetings in an surreal setting. Leave the crowds, congestion, and traffic behind to create outdoor memories for your family reunion or vacation while enjoying clean air and a safe environment. Take some time during your own favorite season and enjoy yourself at Bear Lake!

History
The Bear Lake Valley was first inhabited by Shoshoni Tribes, then fur trappers. Between 1825 & 1840, many mountain men and Native Americans met on the south end of the lake to swap goods and stories! These meetings became known as mountain man rendezvous.

The first permanent settler to the Bear Lake Valley was reportedly Thomas Pegleg Smith, a crusty, one-legged, ex-mountain man. During the 1840s, he set up a trading post to provide supplies to the emigrants on the famous Oregon Trail. Early Mormon pioneer leader Brigham Young sent the first group of permanent settlers to Bear Lake Valley in 1863. This group was led by Charles C. Rich. The County bears his name.

Basic Information:
Elevation: 5,923 ft.
Length: 20 miles
Width: 8 miles
Shoreline: 48 miles
Surface: 112 sq. miles
Depth: 208 ft.
Volume: 6.5 million acre feet

Activities
Camping
Boating
Water skiing and wake boarding
Fishing
Ice fishing
Sailing
Wildlife watching
Special events
Snowmobiling nearby
ATV trails nearby

Camping
Birch Campground: $25/night (full hookups)
Big Creek Campground: $25/night (full hookups)
Cottonwood Campground: $16/night
South Eden Campground: $10/night (primitive)

Most RV sites are back-in. There are some pull-throughs for vehicles up to 80 feet

Group sites are available for day use and overnight camping

Camping Reservations
Online: ReserveAmerica
800-322-3770 (toll-free from outside the Salt Lake City area)
801-322-3770 (from within the Salt Lake City area)

Facilities
Visitor Center
Marina
Boat ramps
Boat rentals
Campgrounds
Group sites
Picnic sites
Modern restrooms