Bear Lake State Park (Idaho)


Bear Lake State Park is a public recreation area bordering the north and eastern shores of Bear Lake in the southeast corner of Bear Lake County, Idaho, near the Utah and Wyoming state lines. The state park sits across the lake from St. Charles and is south of Montpelier. Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge lies adjacent to the park's north unit.

History

The state purchased land for the park in 1969 using funds supplied through the Recreation and Public Purposes Act. At the same time, the North Beach unit was leased from Utah Power and Light. Management of the north unit continues under lease from PacifiCorp.

Wildlife

This state park is home to bonneville cisco, cutthroat trout, moose, pelicans, lake trout, deer, cranes and cougar.

Features

Bear Lake owes its unique turquoise blue color to the presence of suspended calcium carbonate. The park's two units each have a beach over in length with gradually sloping lake bottom and large swimming area. Camping is offered in the east unit. In winter, the park provides ice fishing access for the annual runs of Bonneville cisco.