By Contributing Writer
Escape the hustle and bustle of life and escape to Bear Lake. With more than 70,000 square acres of turquoise-blue water, Bear Lake provides ample room for boating, water skiing and swimming. During colder months, Bear Lake becomes a winter wonderland of fun. Visitors can enjoy skiing, snowmobiling, ice fishing and tubing. If you happen to visit during raspberry season, don't forget to have a famous Bear Lake raspberry milkshake.
Water Sports
Wakeboarding, photo by Jeremy Hanke
At 20 miles long and 8 miles wide, you can enjoy boating on the lake without feeling crowded. If you want to experience the thrill of riding on the water without hauling a boat, ride a wave runner or jet ski. Don't worry if you don't have water toys--there are places in Garden City where you can rent them.
Hiking and Biking
Bear Lake sits at an elevation of 5,900 feet, which makes for mild summer weather--perfect for hiking and biking. To the left of Bear Lake, you'll find trails winding through the scenic mountains. Visitors in the spring will find an array of wildflowers lining the trails and dotting the landscape. Fall visitors will be awed by the colorful leaves and the crisp, cool air.
Fishing
Anglers come from all over to fish at Bear Lake. Whether you love to fish in the pleasant summer weather or you don't mind braving the cold of the winter months, Bear Lake is an excellent place for fishing. You'll find plenty of trout here, as well as four species of fish that can only be found at Bear Lake.
Minnetonka Cave
Explore the cleverly named stalactites and stalagmites at Minnetonka Cave, such as the "Ballerina" and the "Bride and Groom." At an elevation of 7,700 feet, Minnetonka Cave is Idaho's largest commercially developed limestone rock cave. Minnetonka Cave is in the Caribou-Targhee National Forest in Idaho.
Camping and Picnicking
There are more than 500 campgrounds around Bear Lake. There are sites for tents, as well as sites with full-hook up--some with electricity and even showers. You'll also find about 300 campgrounds in the surrounding canyons near Bear Lake. If you're ready for a bite to eat, you can eat at one of the many picnic areas that dot the scenic area around the lake.
Winter Sports
With more than 350 miles of groomed trails and wide-open play areas, visitors flock to Bear Lake for snowmobiling fun. The hills provide a breathtaking view of Bear Lake and surrounding areas, and elk abound at Hardware Ranch. The snowmobiling season runs from late November until April. Rentals are available at nearby locations.
Hit the slopes at one of the two nearby ski resorts. Beaver Mountain Ski resort in nearby Logan Canyon boasts more than 664 acres of well-maintained slopes. Pine Creek Ski Resort, just outside Cokeville, Wyoming, has a high-speed quad lift and 30 runs for skiers of all abilities.
The Annual Raspberry Days Festival
Raspberries, photo by Brian Lary
Bear Lake is famous for its raspberries, and to celebrate the raspberry season, Garden City has an annual Raspberry Days festival. The festival is held on the first weekend in August, running Thursday through Saturday. Enjoy rodeos, fireworks, parades, a craft fair and dances. Contestants compete for the "Miss Berry Princess" contest, and aspiring chefs try out their raspberry dishes at the raspberry recipe cook-off. Be sure to have a delicious raspberry milkshake during your visit.
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