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Trip Review: Bear Lake
Jul
The Bear Lake valley and the surrounding mountains contain hundreds of miles of trails just waiting to be explored. This is some of the best riding out there. Choose from stream crossings and thick groves of pines and aspens or take in the breathtaking views of Bear Lake. The lake itself is a natural freshwater lake containing pristine aqua-blue colored water. It’s located on the border of Utah and Idaho. The trail network covers a variety of terrain and ranges in difficulty from easy/beginner to challenging. You’ll find some great riding here.
Where to ride
Great riding awaits you. These trails wind through the beautiful mountains in Utah and Idaho. We spent most of our time riding the trails on the Idaho side, but there are amazing trails in Utah too.
Fish Haven Canyon
You can find trail access in Paris Canyon, Bloomington Canyon, and Fish Haven Canyon on the Idaho side. We access our favorite trails through the Fish Haven Canyon Road. We like the Hogs Back trail, Swan Flat and Red Sinks trails. There are many areas to explore including, Gibson Basin, Egan Basin, Fish Haven Canyon, and Left Fork Fish Haven. You can get some great views of the lake from the peaks along these trails.
The Shoshone Trail System
The Shoshone Trail System winds through the Utah mountains just west of Bear Lake. You can access the system directly from the lake near Garden City. Some of the more popular routes include the Garden City Canyon Trail, Hodges Canyon, Sinks Road, and Old Ephriam’s Grave. All are fun rides, but keep in mind that the Hodges Canyon route is limited to vehicles under 50 inches. You’ll get scenic views of Bear Lake as you ride up into the mountains to enjoy the gorgeous scenery. Maps of the system are available here https://cacheut.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=85223183675042809ab96a2c83a56c55
You can find a map of the Idaho trail system here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5176949.pdf
UTV Rentals
If you are looking to rent a machine, there are a couple of local places where you can do so.
Epic Adventure Center in Garden City.
You can also check out Bloominite rentals
Where to Stay
There are a lot of options when it comes to places to stay. It is a popular location, so you’ll want to make your reservations early.
Cabin Rentals
Bear Lake Premier Cabins
Campgrounds
There are several places to camp around the lake. Here are a few that can accommodate longer trailers and toys.
Bear Lake Trail Side KOA
Bear Lake North RV Park and Campground
Other Attractions
From boating and fishing to hiking and horseback riding, this lake has something for everyone. Both North and Rendezvous Beaches are beautiful. There are several other beach access points along the lake as well. You can swim, boat, paddleboard, or kayak as much as you desire. There are also great hiking and biking trails in the area.
Don’t forget to check out the raspberry shakes in Garden City. Bear Lake is known for its raspberries and the shakes are delicious. Also, check out the Burger Boat. You won’t find a tastier burger on the water.
For all-around fun and a great place to ride, we strongly recommend checking out the Bear Lake area.