Bear Lake State Park (Utah) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bear Lake State Park |
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IUCN Category V (Protected Landscape/Seascape)
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![]() Marina at Bear Lake State Park, May 2007
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Location | Rich, Utah, United States |
Elevation | 5,900 ft (1,800 m) |
Established | 1962 |
Visitors | 242749 (in 2011) |
Governing body | Utah State Parks |
Welcome to Bear Lake State Park, a super cool place in Utah, USA! It's right on the edge of Bear Lake, which stretches into Idaho. This park is a fantastic spot for outdoor fun and adventure.
The park has three main areas for visitors: Rendezvous Beach, Bear Lake Marina, and the East Side. Each offers something special. You can also enjoy fun yearly events like the Mountain Man Rendezvous and Bear Lake Raspberry Days.
At Bear Lake State Park, you can try many exciting activities. Imagine zooming across the water while waterskiing or taking a refreshing dip in the lake. You can even go scuba diving to explore underwater or enjoy a peaceful ride while sailing. If you love fishing, you're in luck! People fish here all year round for different kinds of trout, like cutthroat and mackinaw, plus Bonneville cisco and whitefish.
Contents
Fun Places to Explore at Bear Lake State Park
Bear Lake State Park is divided into different sections, each with unique features for visitors. Let's check them out!
Rendezvous Beach: A Historic Gathering Spot
Rendezvous Beach is a special place with a cool history. Long ago, in the summers of 1827 and 1828, it was a meeting point for fur trappers and Native Americans. These gatherings were called "rendezvous." Over a thousand people, including famous explorers like Jedediah Smith, would come together here. There were so many campfires at the south end of the lake that it looked like "a lighted city" at night!
Today, Rendezvous Beach is a long recreation area, about 1.25 miles (2 km) long. It has 220 campsites where you can set up your tent or RV. You'll find restrooms, showers, and hookups for utilities. It's a popular spot for big groups, like family reunions. You can even rent small boats and personal watercraft nearby to enjoy the lake.
Bear Lake Marina: Your Boating Hub
The Bear Lake Marina is about 8 miles (13 km) north of Rendezvous Beach. It's on the west side of the lake, just south of the Idaho border. This area is perfect for boaters! It has a safe harbor and a wide concrete ramp for launching boats. There are also boat slips where you can dock your boat.
The marina area offers 13 campsites, restrooms, and showers. You'll also find a visitor center here. Plus, there's a business that rents boats and sells fishing and boating supplies. It's a great place to get everything you need for a fun day on the water. 41°57′54″N 111°23′57″W / 41.96493°N 111.39922°W
East Side: Rustic Camping and Boat Ramps
The East Side of Bear Lake State Park is for those who love a more rustic outdoor experience. It has six simple camping spots and two concrete boat ramps.
- First Point: About one mile (1.6 km) from the south end of the lake, you'll find First Point. It has a boat ramp for easy lake access.
- Cisco Beach Area: About 2 miles (3.2 km) further north, the Cisco Beach area begins. This section stretches for about three miles (4.8 km). It goes from South Eden campground in the south to Rainbow Cove in the north.
- North Eden Campground: One mile (1.6 km) north of Cisco Beach is the North Eden campground. It's located right at the Idaho border.
These East Side spots are perfect for a quiet camping trip and getting your boat into the water. 41°52′34″N 111°17′44″W / 41.8760359°N 111.2954776°W 41°58′14″N 111°16′14″W / 41.9706725°N 111.2704647°W
This article incorporates public domain material from the Division of Utah State Parks and Recreation document "Bear Lake State Park: About the Park".