Bear Lake: The 'Caribbean of the Rockies' on the Utah–Idaho Border

Turquoise water, white sand and mountains all around: Bear Lake, on the border of Utah and Idaho, is often called the "Caribbean of the Rockies". While the water isn't quite as warm as the Caribbean, its colour is just as striking, and in summer it's one of the best family getaways in the American West – and a quieter alternative to Utah's busy national parks.

Bear Lake at a glance

• Where: northern Utah and southern Idaho; Garden City is the main town.
• From Salt Lake City: about 2.5 hours by car.
• Size: around 32 km long and 13 km wide.
• Best time: July–August for swimming; September for quiet and autumn colours.

Getting there

1. The drive through Logan Canyon

The classic route follows Logan Canyon Scenic Byway (US-89) from Logan, climbing between limestone cliffs before cresting the pass with a sudden view of the turquoise lake below. In autumn the canyon glows with red maples and golden aspens.

The road winds through a canyon of limestone cliffs and aspens, and suddenly, from the summit, the lake appears – an unbelievable turquoise.

Things to do

2. Beaches

• Rendezvous Beach (Utah, south shore): wide sand and very shallow water, great for kids.
• Bear Lake Marina (west shore): boat rentals and swimming.
• North Beach (Idaho): shallow and sandy, with picnic areas.
• Cisco Beach (east shore): rocky, with clear water popular for snorkelling and diving.

Shallow, sandy beaches where you can wade out far into the clear, cool water.

3. Water sports

Rent paddleboards, kayaks, jet skis or a pontoon boat. The east side's steeper shores have deeper water for diving, and anglers fish for Bonneville cutthroat trout and the Bear Lake cisco.

Paddleboards and kayaks glide over the turquoise water, with the mountains reflected on the surface.

4. Raspberry shakes

Bear Lake is famous for its raspberries – and the raspberry shakes sold in Garden City's burger shacks are a summer ritual. The Raspberry Days festival is usually in early August.

Thick, pink and made with local raspberries – queue at one of the stands on the main street in summer.

5. Hikes and caves

Hike the Limber Pine Trail for views over the lake and to a huge, centuries-old limber pine. In Logan Canyon, the Wind Caves trail leads to limestone arches and caves; the Minnetonka Cave in Idaho has guided tours in summer.

Trails climb into the mountains, and in Minnetonka Cave, you walk through rooms of stalactites.

6. Winter

In winter, the area is popular for snowmobiling, and Beaver Mountain ski area lies in Logan Canyon.

In winter, the lake freezes and the hills are covered in snow – perfect for snowmobiling and ice fishing.

Practical tips

• Water temperature: cool even in summer – around 20°C at best in August.
• Book ahead: cabins and campsites fill quickly on summer weekends.
• Wind: afternoon winds can make the lake choppy for small boats.
• Road trip ideas: combine with Yellowstone and Grand Teton to the north, or see our guide to Theodore Roosevelt National Park.