Bear Lake

Bear Lake is a freshwater body in Bear Lake Valley on the Idaho-Utah border, known for its turquoise water. The color comes from tiny calcium carbonate particles that float in the water column and refract light.

French-Canadian trappers reached this area in 1818 and first called it Black Bear Lake after the animals they saw along the shore. The name was later shortened and settlers began establishing themselves along the banks in the mid-19th century.

Locals often call this body of water the Caribbean of the Rockies because of its bright color and use the shores for family reunions and summer picnics. Farmers in the surrounding area grow raspberries near the water, selling them at markets and small stands during the warm season.

Two state parks along the shore provide access to the water with boat ramps, swimming beaches, and campsites open from May through October. The best time for water activities is between June and September when temperatures are warmer and the water has heated up.

The water hosts four fish species that exist nowhere else on earth and have adapted over thousands of years to the particular chemical conditions. These endemic species are all relatives of whitefish and trout that evolved in isolation after the last ice age.

Location: Bear Lake County

Location: Rich County

GPS coordinates: 42.00000,-111.33333

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:43