Things to Do at Bear Lake for Families
Every summer I take my boys to Bear Lake, along the Idaho and Utah border. We are lucky enough to have family to visit and there are so many things to do at Bear Lake, that it is always one of our favorite weeks of the summer!
Thank you to General Motors and Buick for providing us with a Buick Envision for our road trip from Denver, Colorado, to Bear Lake, Idaho.
If you are planning a road trip, check out our tips for road trips with kids here.
Of course, when planning a trip to Bear Lake you have to build in a few days at the beach enjoying the lake, but there is so much more to do in the area as well. Read on for some of our family’s favorite spots and things to do!
Where to Stay in Bear Lake for Families
Bear Lake is about 100-square miles in size and has several cities and towns along it’s shores. The lake spans the Utah and Idaho border. There is a variety of accommodations to meet most people’s needs! However, the towns around Bear Lake are small and you won’t find chain hotels nearby.
The two main tourist locations are Garden City on the Utah side and Fish Haven on the Idaho side and there are quite a few options for accommodations. These include:
Camping
KOA Bear Lake – Bring an RV or tent and camp near the Bear Lake Marina in Garden City. This is a great option for those who love camping or have RVs and campers. It’s also walking or biking distance from many of the restaurants and attractions.
Bear Lake State Park Rendezvous – Located on the south end of the lake in Laketown, Utah, this campground has all the amenities you need for a great beach vacation. Full hook-ups for RVs, tent spaces, boat rentals, a playground and more.
Hotels
There is not much in the way of hotels in Bear Lake. The Bluebird Inn Bed and Breakfast is a great option for couples, but is an adult-only in the hotel.
For families and pet-owners, the best option for a hotel is probably the Bear Lake Motor Lodge in Garden City. The lodge is located on the beach and is walking distance from most of Garden City’s shops and restaurants.
AirBNB and Private Rentals
My personal suggestion for accommodations while visiting Bear Lake is renting an AirBNB or private rental home. I love AirBNB’s because you have a kitchen, a place to spread out and are able to host multiple families or groups at a time. In my opinion, lake vacations are best with lots of friends and family!
You can find a great list of popular rentals here or search your favorite short-term rental database. In my opinion, the best rentals are in Fish Haven, Idaho, which is a bit quieter and most communities have a private beach. It’s still just a short drive to the restaurants and shops in Garden City.
There are lots of AirBNB and home rental options on the hillside in Fish Haven, Idaho, and they all have views like this! It took my breath away while I was using our Buick Envision to pump up the paddleboard and head down to the beach!
Things to Do at Bear Lake with Kids Outdoors
Aside from the lake itself, Bear Lake has so much to offer in terms of outdoor adventure and escape!
Off-roading in all-terrain vehicles
One of the best things to do in Bear Lake is to head up into the mountains. There are endless trails, backroads and canyons to explore and many ways to do so. We love taking out the Rzr 4-seater on the backroads through Fish Haven Canyon and beyond.
You can find so many gorgeous little spots that look out over the lake, places to wade in creeks, huge meadows of wildflowers and even cows who have been put out to graze for the summer.
For rentals, check out Bear Lake Adventure Center, which rents off-road vehicles and offers tours.
Hiking to Bloomington Lake
You can also explore the backcountry by hiking. There are dozens of trails throughout the Bear Lake area with lots of varying skill levels required. One that is both extremely beautiful and kid-friendly is the hike to Bloomington Lake.
The hike is a mile round trip and once you get to the lake you’ll want to stop and play a while!
To find this hike, head north to Bloomington, Idaho. It’s not far from Garden City and Fish Haven. You can find all of the details here. The road to the trailhead is pretty rocky and rough so make sure that you are in a vehicle that can handle the road.
We loved having the Buick Envision all-wheel drive to navigate the steep and windy dirt mountain roads. It was such a joy to drive with great handling, a comfortable and quiet interior and great features like a windshield speedometer and an amazing sunroof.
Take Your Family to Minnetonka Cave
Another popular place to visit up in the mountains is Minnetonka Cave. The cave is located in St. Charles Canyon. It’s a half-mile cave with stalagmites, stalactites and travertine.
The cave is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and while there is a fee to enter the cave ($8 per adult and $6 for children age 6-15), the Minnetonka Cave also has a family pass for $32 if you have a lot of teens in your immediate family.
There are some rules for entering the cave including avoiding wearing or bringing anything (and they really mean anything) that has previously been in another cave or mine to avoid spreading White Noise Syndrome, which is a disease that affects bats.
Beach Day at Bear Lake for Families
Bear Lake is a really great beach for families, especially those with young kids. Pack up a cooler and grab the sunscreen so you can have a great, full day at the beach!
Shallow Water at Bear Lake is Great for Families
The waters are really shallow for a huge portion of the lake, which definitely made my boys much more comfortable than normal. They loved playing and we spent two full days on the private beach that came with the community where we were staying.
Kayaking and Stand Up Paddleboards
One of our favorite things to do is always getting out on the lake! The lake is perfect for kayaks and paddleboards. The shallow, calm waters and beautiful views make for a great time out on the water.
Bring your own, or find rentals at multiple spots in Fish Haven and Garden City.
Boat and Seadoo Rentals
Another great thing to do with your family in Bear Lake is renting a boat or jet skis to have some fun out in the middle of the lake. Bear Lake is a great lake for boating because it’s large, but not as crowded as most lakes. It’s perfect for water skiing or wake boarding.
The easiest place for water rentals at Bear Lake is the Bear Lake Marina. Check out their offerings here.
Excursions in Bear Lake for Families
The Pickleville Playhouse
If you want to get out of the sun and take in some entertainment, visit the Pickleville Playhouse! This cute little laidback theater is family-friendly and has been entertaining Bear Lake visitors for 40 years. Jon actually remembers attending shows here as a child.
You can even get dinner with a show at the Pickleville Grill.
You can view current shows and times check here. The playhouse is closed Sundays but has showings every day of the week Monday through Saturday.
Bear Lake Natural Wildlife Refuge
Another great excursion in Bear Lake is the Bear Lake Natural Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is located north of the lake and spans more than 18,000 acres of water and land.
You can drive through the refuge on a scenic route and there are many places to stop and view the birds and wildlife. The wildlife is generally more active in the early mornings or evening than the heat of the day, so plan your visit accordingly!
Paris Tabernacle: Kid-friendly History Tour
If you are interested in history, a great stop is the Paris Tabernacle. This church in Paris, Idaho, is a historic meetinghouse for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Tabernacle was completed in 1889 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Tabernacle is designed with a European flare, which is unique for its religion.
Tours are open to the public on demand and visitors can walk the grounds freely. My boys loved seeing the old pews and all of the artifacts in the building.
Can’t Miss: Raspberry Shakes
So one final thing before I let you go and explore Bear Lake! You absolutely cannot miss the famous Raspberry Shakes! Bear Lake is the perfect climate for raspberry growing and you can find patches all over.
During the summer, no matter where you end up, you can likely order a Raspberry Shake and you will want to, over and over again. Or at least your kids will beg for them over and over!
Our personal favorite raspberry shakes could be found at the Garden City Chevron gas station on Logan Road. However, a reader recently told me they have closed down! Raspberry shakes are sold everywhere, though, and you really can’t go wrong!
