Elevation .. 5,904 feet Length ......... 20 miles Width ........... 8 miles Shoreline .... 48 miles
Surface ..... 112 miles Depth ......... 208 feet Volume . 6,500,000 acre/ft F

Factoids Bear Lake has more endemic fish than any other lake in North America.Limestone particles suspended in the lake give the lake its beautiful turquoise hue. 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.

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. Ski at a family-owned 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 of the hearty souls that settled this area.

 The Bear Lake Valley is a great location for a family or business retreat. Hold your real meetings in an unreal setting. Leave the crowds, congestion, and traffic behind to create out-door 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. Don't miss the re-creation of the mountain man rendezvous held in mid-September on Rendezvous Beach.

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 ft.

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

Park Hours: Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. year-round with no holiday closures.

Day Visits: A $7 day-use permit ($70 annual) is assessed. Group day-use is $2/person, $50 min

Overnight Camping: Rates vary by campground - $9, $15, $21

For information regarding facilities for the physically challenged, contact the park.

Information about fees, reservations, and regulations.

Contact Information
Bear Lake State Park
1030 N Bear Lake Blvd
Garden City, UT 84028
(435) 946-3343

Information Courtesy of Utah State Parks and Recreation

What happening in 2008 at Bear Lake?
January 2008
OPEN - Montpelier Tubing Hill, call (208) 847-0824 for details
Begins 1/9: Men's Basketball League, Wednesday nights at the Bear Lake Middle School, sponsored by the Montpelier Parks & Recreation, for more information call 208-847-0824 or e-mail.
Begins 1/11: Montpelier Co-Ed Volleyball League, Friday nights, Team Fee $90.00, sponsored by Montpelier Parks & Recreation, for more information call 208-847-0824 or e-mail.
18th: Violinist Jennifer Dunn performing classical and contemporary violin at the National Oregon/California Trail Center, sponsored in part by the Idaho Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, for more information call (208) 847-3800.
18th-19th: K9 Challenge , 15 miles from Garden City UT, (435) 563-0645
25th: Bear Lake Stars Dance Team performing their best dance numbers at the National Oregon/California Trail Center, for more information call (208) 847-3800.
26th: Bear Lake Cisco Disco, call (435) 946-8501 for more details.

February 2008
OPEN - Montpelier Tubing Hill, call (208) 847-0824 for details
Thursday Nights: Montpelier Women's Volleyball League, Thursday nights February thru April, Team Fee $75.00, sponsored by Montpelier Parks & Recreation, for more information call 208-847-0824 or e-mail.14th: Cactus Pete and Prairie Rose, locals Duane Peterson and Destiny Hunzeker harmonize the songs of yesteryear at the National Oregon/California Trail Center, for more information call (208) 847-3800.
Friday Nights: Montpelier Co-Ed Volleyball League, Friday nights, Team Fee $90.00, sponsored by Montpelier Parks & Recreation, for more information call 208-847-0824 or e-mail.
1st & 2nd: 6th Annual Snowmobile Hill Climb, RMSHA sanctioned, near Geneva, ID, sponsored by the Greater Bear Lake Valley Chamber of Commerce, for more info call (208) 847-0067or visit www.rmsha.com.
8th: The Magic of Craig Hartman will amaze and delight patrons with his family friendly magic and comedy show at the National Oregon/California Trail Center, for more information call (208) 847-3800.
16th: Annual Hospital Auxiliary Snowball Dance, Bear Lake Middle School in Montpelier from 8:00 pm to midnight, door prizes, For more information, contact Bear Lake Memorial Hospital at (208) 847-1630. 16th: 2nd Annual Bear Lake Chocolate & Craft Festival, Chocolate Concession Fair, $1 entrance and kids FREE for the Craft Fair, Raffle, 10 AM to 4 PM at Harbor Village Resort, Harbor Village Resort, The Chocolate Bear
Sunday Breakfast 9 AM to 12:30 PM (Feb. 17th Only) - Bear Lake West Country Club, Fish Haven, ID, Bear Lake Motor Lodge Restaurant, Garden City, Garden City UT, for more info call 208-945-3333 or (800) 448-BEAR 22nd: Coyotee Moon performing music of the spirit of the "Cowboy" and the old west at the National Oregon/California Trail Center, sponsored in part by the Idaho Commission on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts and Zions Bank, for more information call (208) 847-3800.
29th: Bear Lake High School's Bear Essentials, singing a fundraiser to help them sing around the country at the National Oregon/California Trail Center, for more information call (208) 847-3800.
March 2008
Thursday Nights: Montpelier Women's Volleyball League, Thursday nights February thru April, Team Fee $75.00, sponsored by Montpelier Parks & Recreation, for more information call 208-847-0824 or e-mail.14th: Cactus Pete and Prairie Rose, locals Duane Peterson and Destiny Hunzeker harmonize the songs of yesteryear at the National Oregon/California Trail Center, for more information call (208) 847-3800.
21st: The Gross Family Fiddlers, this young family of fiddlers will amaze you and make you smile at the National Oregon/California Trail Center, for more information call (208) 847-3800.
28th: 2nd Annual Liars Competition, hear this year's edition of tall tales, stretched stories and fabulous fibs to see wo is Bear Lake's biggest liar at the National Oregon/California Trail Center, for more information call (208) 847-3800.
TBA: Women's 1st Annual Bear Lake Volleyball Tournament, Team Fee $150.00,
Prizes: 1st place team trophy, volleyballs & t-shirts for each player, 2nd place team trophy, 3rd place team trophy, Entrance deadline: March 16th, Note: Only 1 college player is allowed per team. (Covers anyone who has ever played college volleyball.), sponsored by Montpelier Parks & Recreation, for more information call 208-847-0824 or e-mail.
TBA: Montpelier Tubing Hill Winter Finale, contests, finish the winter season with a great event, for more info call (208) 847-0824.
April 2008
3rd: Seniors Health Fair, 8 AM - Noon at the Bear Lake Senior Citizen's Center in Montpelier, For more information, contact Bear Lake Memorial Hospital at (208) 847-1630.
TBA: Montpelier Women's Volleyball League, Thursday nights February thru April, Team Fee $75.00, sponsored by Montpelier Parks & Recreation, for more information call 208-847-0824 or e-mail.
3rd-5th: Snowmobile Hill Climbs, RMSHA Sanctioned, Beaver Mountain Ski Resort, 13 miles from Garden City, UT, for more info call (866) 652-4323
TBA: City of Montpelier Easter Celebration, Wells C. Stock Park, includes an Easter Egg Hunt, the Easter Bunny will pose with children for photographs, Eggs will be filled with prizes for different age groups ranging from 0 thru Adult, a petting zoo put together by the Oregon Trail Center. More info to come . . . .
May 2008
2nd & 3rd: Bear Lake Cutups "Quilt Show", location to be determined, Garden City, UT, for more info call Guild president Bobi Clark at (435) 946-8649 or e-mail.
9th & 10th: KOA Come Camp and Care With Us Weekend, The Montpelier Creek KOA, along with many other KOA's are sponsoring this weekend to raise money for Care Camps, which are camps around the US for children with terminal illnesses. Book Friday night and receive Saturday night free. Activities this weekend include a Duck Race in the creek, ice cream socials and pancake breakfast. All proceeds from these 3 events will be donated to the KOA Care Camp Fund. KOA Corporate matches the donations and this year collectively KOA raised $500k. For more information or to reserve your campsite call the Montpelier Creek KOA at 208-847-0863.
TBA: Montpelier Men’s & Co-Ed Adult Softball League, begins play today, Registration currently Open, Teams fees: 150.00, To register a team call Shane at (208) 847-0508 or e-mail, Players without teams can also sign up by calling Kenneth @ (208) 847-0633
TBA: Montpelier Community Pride Week, Residents, businesses, & organizations are asked to clean up yards, parks, houses & buildings. Prizes for the group that does the best job. More info to come . . .
17th - 18th: 6th Annual Bear Lake Classic 104 Mile Pro Bike Race and 52 Mile Amateur Bike Race, call (800) 756-0795 for more info.
June 2008
TBA: Black Gold Festival, Woodruff, UT 435-793-4356
TBA: Bear Lake Ice-Breaker Softball Tournament, Allinger Park in Montpelier, Entrance Fee $150.00, Prizes are shirts & trophy for 1st place. MVP prizes given every game, for more info e-mail shane@batsbatsbats.com or call Shane at (208) 847-0508.
TBA: Idaho & Utah Free Fishing Day, For details contact the links to the Idaho & Utah Departments of Fish & Game.
TBA: "Wings Over the Water" at Blue Water Resort, for more info call (800) 756-0795
TBA: Enough is Enough Anti-drug Coaltion Community Picnic, 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM. Wells C. Stock Park in Montpelier, Idaho, public is invited to attend, there will be a presentation from Idaho Governor Butch Otter's office on "Meth Not Even Once" statewide drug campaign
TBA: Montpelier Mayor's Marriage Celebration Week
20th & 21st: 9th Annual Girls' Fast-Pitch Softball Tournament, Montpelier, Idaho– We are busily reorganizing. We will have the tournament. Check back in mid-April for specific information. Teams will be accepted as soon as the specific information is up and we receive your money. You cannot save a space without full payment.
TBA: Gold Medal Racing Triathlon @ Rendezvous Beach, Bear Lake State Park, (435) 946-3343
July 2008
4th: Woodruff Celebration, rodeo, parade, dance, Dutch Oven dinner and programs, Woodruff, Utah, (435) 793-4515.
4th: Paris, Idaho 4th of July Celebration, Bear Lake Ranger Chuckwagon Breakfast, Pageant at Paris Tabernacle, Parade, Youth Rodeo.
4th: KVSI Radio Fun Run, starts at radio station & ends at Bear Lake Ranger breakfast in Paris, Runners start at 6:00 AM, Walkers at 7:00 AM, (approximately 10 miles)
4th: Montpelier, Idaho 4th of July Celebration, Lions Club Chuckwagon Breakfast 6AM-11AM, Evening Fireworks on "M" Hill after sunset, Montpelier, Idaho.
4th: Bear Lake West Golf Course / Scramble, 7 AM and 1 PM, (208) 945-2744
4th: Fireworks at Ideal Beach Resort, Garden City, UT, after dark
TBA: Twin Creek Days, Georgetown, ID (208) 847-2120
TBA: Bear Lake Boys Baseball Tournament, This link has all the rules, rosters, etc. for the tourney for boys ages 9-12, For more information call Rod Jacobson at (208) 847-1630.
19th: Bear Lake Car Show, at Wells C. Stock Park in Montpelier ID, for more info call Bob Biggs at (208) 847-0757.
24th - 26th: Butch Cassidy Days, Montpelier, ID, sponsored by the Greater Bear Lake Valley Chamber of Commerce, Shootout at 6 PM. Vendors wanted, please call (208) 847-0067 and sign up.
TBA: 1st Annual Bear Lake All-Niter Men’s Softball Tournament, Tournament will be played at Allinger Park in Montpelier, ASA Sanctioned, Games will begin Friday evening & play through the night into Saturday morning, Limited spaces so sign up early!, Entrance Fee: $200.00, 3,000 in Softballs Bats Awarded, 1st Place Team = 6 Bats, 2nd Place Team = 3 Bats, 3rd Place Team = 2 Bats, 4th Place Team = 1 Bat, 5th Place Team = 1 Bat, Home Run Derby, $5.00 Entrance, 1st Place = Softball Bat, 2nd Place = Glove, 3rd Place = T-Shirt, To Register a team call 847-0508 or e-mail shane@batsbatsbats.com
August 2008
7th - 9th: 2007 Bear Lake Raspberry Days Festival in Garden City, Utah, please click the link above for full details including a brochure that lists all event activities and information such as a parade, fireworks, craft fair, golf tournament, dance and much more!
11th-16th: Bear Lake County Fair, more details to follow soon.
TBA: Bear Lake Co-Ed Classic, Team Fees: 150.00, To Register a team call Shane at 847-0508 or e-mail.
TBA: Rich County Demolition Derby, Laketown Rodeo Arena, 435-793-2580
TBA: Rich County Fair & Rodeo, Randolph, UT, Rich County Jr. Rodeo 17th, fireworks and dance at Randolph City Park, (435) 881-4534
13th: Historical Note - Butch Cassidy robbed the Bank of Montpelier in Montpelier, Idaho 108 years ago at 3:13 pm on August 13, 1896
16th: Bear Lake Valley Health Care Foundation Annual "Golf Fore Health" Golf Tournament at the Montpelier Golf Course, for more information, contact Bear Lake Memorial Hospital or Craig at (208) 847-1630.
TBA - Bear Lake Parade of Homes, 12 homes on display, sponsored by the Bear Lake Home Builders Association, for more info call (435) 946-8888.
September 2008
TBA - Bear Lake Parade of Homes, 12 homes on display, sponsored by the Bear Lake Home Builders Association, for more info call (435) 946-8888.
TBA: Bear Lake Classic Boat Show, Cisco's Landing at the Utah State Marina, Friday - 12:00- 3:00 Registration, Check In and Launching, 3:00- 6:00 Boat Show Begins, 6:30 Welcom Aboard Party on Mariina Dock. Saturday -
7:30 - 8:30 Registration Check In and Launching, 8:30 Captains Meeting, 9:00 - 5:00 Boat Show, 5:00 Boat Parade, Awards and Raffle Drawing will be held on Marina Dock Immediately Following the Boat Parade, Sunday - 10:00 Group Breakfast at Bear Lake Bed and Breakfast, Free Day to Shop the Town, Boat the Lake and Play Around the Dock, Boats have to be removed from Dock Area by 4:00 pm Sunday, If you need any further information, please call me at 801.531.7557 or 801.205.1667
TBA: Logan to Jackson Bicycle Race, (801) 546-0090, www.lotojaclassic.com , (801) 546-0090, or call the Greater Bear Lake Valley Chamber of Commerce at (208) 847-0067.
TBA: "Wings Over the Water" at Blue Water Resort, for more info call (800) 756-0795
13th: Bear Lake Memorial Hospital Annual Community Health Fair, For more information, contact Bear Lake Memorial Hospital at (208) 847-1630.
TBA: Golfing "Fore" Families Benefit Golf Tournament, to be held at the Montpelier Golf Course, sponsored by Bear Lake County SEICAA Office, a non-profit agency with all proceeds to go to helping local families, for more info call Karen at (208) 847-1462.
TBA: Bear Lake Mixed Golf Scramble, call Bear Lake West Golf Course at (208) 945-2744.
October 2008
TBA: "We're Grateful!" Banquet & Christmas Card Open House, For more information, contact Bear Lake Memorial Hospital at (208) 847-1630.
TBA: 2nd Annual Montpelier Parks & Recreations Pumpkin Walk, Montpelier Lions Park. 6:30 pm, call 208-847-3102, awards given for various categories.
November 2008
Thanksgiving in Bear Lake, bring your family for a great time of year, call 1-800-448-BEAR for activities and services.
TBA: Holiday Craft Fair at the Oregon Trail Center, 320 North 4th Street at the National Oregon/California Trail Center in Montpelier, Idaho, for more info call 208-847-3800.
TBA: Paris Craft Fair, Paris Elementary School, 10am- 3 pm, for more info call (208) 945-2468
December 2008
TBA: Lighted Christmas Parade, held at 6:00 PM in Montpelier and sponsored by the Greater Bear Lake Valley Chamber of Commerce, for parade entries call Shane Johnson at 847-3102 or JJ Sports at 847-0508.
Christmas in Bear Lake, bring your family for a great time of year, call 1-800-448-BEAR for activities and services.
TBA: Bear Lake High School Alumni Basketball Tournament, sponsored by the The Montpelier Parks & Recreation, & Enough is Enough Drug Coalition, the event will also have the following individual events: 3 Point Shootout and Lightning Contest, for rules & details contact Brandon Carlsen (208) 390-2900 or (208) 945-2234 or Shane Johnson (208) 847-3102.
 

On-Going Events: