Most of the time people think of Bear Lake as a summer destination. But we have discovered the beauty and fun Bear Lake Idaho has to offer in every season!
Favorite Things to do in the Summer at Bear Lake
Wow it’s actually really hard to narrow down our FAVORITE things to do in the summer to just three things. I might have to sneak in a few bonus things. The obvious there are:
1. Bear Lake
Bear LAKE is obviously known for its bluer than blue lake. This lake is wide, and deep. It makes for great boating, jet skis, kayaking, fishing, swimming, sand castle making, tubing, wake surfing, knee boarding AND more. There’s room for everyone at Bear Lake. The only place it gets a little crammed is the marina at the busy times of day.
2. The Legacy Beach Pool
My kids love the lake, but they also could JUST go to the pool and be so happy. The Legacy Beach Pool is especially amazing with the view of the lake, extra large hot tub and colorful chairs and tables. This momma loves laying on the pool couch with a good book while the kids are swimming their hearts out.
3. Raspberry Shakes
Maybe its nostalgia. Maybe it’s the hype. But you cannot go to Bear Lake in the summer without a famous raspberry shake. I personally love the Raspberry Brownie Shakes from Zipz the most. But they all are pretty much amazing.
4. Bonus – Bloomington Lake
It really is the most beautiful hike to a secluded lake with a rope swing. It’s kinda what dreams are made of honestly.
Favorite Things to do in the Fall at Bear Lake
Before I had experienced Bear Lake in the fall, I was confused at what people did after the water turned cold and the air was crisp. Bear Lake in the fall MIGHT be my favorite. After a busy summer, the restaurants waits slow down. The parks only have a few families at a time. The air is crisp and cool. The mountains are on fire with gorgeous colors. And the kids are still willing to get in the lake. It is GORGEOUS.
1. Hike or Drive through the Canyon
Have you ever driven through a canyon in Utah or Idaho in the fall? It is STRAIGHT MAGIC. The trees are a variety of gorgeous colors so vivid like the movies. It’s a GORGEOUS drive. But it’s even better from the top of the mountains.
Logan Canyon is filled with gorgeous hikes. Here are my two favorites in the fall (summer and spring, too).
- Tony Grove Lake Hike – Easy 1.5 flat loop around the lake. Gorgeous pine trees surround Tony Grove lake. Kids love skipping rocks, collecting leaves, looking for wildlife and running in the “woods.”
- Wind Caves Logan Canyon Hike – 4.0-mile out-and-back trail. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. Views of the caves and canyon from above.
2. Bike
There are so many magical places to bike. The weather is PERFECT for uphill, flat, far, short. It’s not too cold where you don’t want to start. And it’s not too hot where you want to quit right away. This fall we biked at Beaver Mountain on the lower and upper loops. We also biked on the bike trails alongside the highway in Garden City. We biked to the parks, around the parking lot and around Tony Grove.
- Mountain Bike on the Beaver Mountain Trails
- Use the Bike trail through “town” in Garden City
- Bike to the local Park
- Bike around at Tony Grove Lake
3. Pickleville Playhouse
Pickleville Playhouse is a family run theater in Bear Lake. They have productions all spring and summer, but we thoroughly enjoyed their fall production of the Addam’s Family. Summer is always so FULL of things to do. But fall is more slow. It was the perfect fall outing for our family during our fall staycation at Bear Lake!
Favorite Things to do in the Winter at Bear Lake
Our family actually has stayed in Bear Lake more in the winter than in the summer. We love winter because it’s much slower and much more affordable to stay. We also miss our friends and family in the winter. It’s too cold to meet at a park, or pool, or even sit outside with our neighbors. A family trip with friends to Bear Lake is SO fun when you haven’t seen your friends in weeks because of the cold.
1. Ski the Beav
The BEST part of Bear Lake in the winter is the proximity to Beaver Mountain. Beaver Mountain is the BEST family ski mountain. We are super biased after my husbands 33 years skiing at Beaver with his dad on the patrol for even longer. But we love it. It’s a quick 15 minutes from our rental. When you have young kids, or old friends ;), a 15 minute drive is a must. We can ski until we’re tired and take quick breaks nearby.
2. Sledding
There are so many hills in Bear Lake, and right inside Logan Canyon. Big, huge, icey, amazing sledding hills.
3. Hot Tub
There’s nothing more magical than sitting in a hot tub outside as the snow falls. Our hot tub at the rental is right against the frozen lake. It’s a euphoric feeling being warm while watching the snow fall over the frozen lake. And it’s BEAUTIFUL.
4. Bonus – Game Nights with fam or friends
We love game nights. But they’re extra fun after a long cold winter without our normal social circles. Beware – you may stay up TOO late and need weeks to recover 😉
Favorite Things to do in the Spring at Bear Lake
Spring basically merges all the activities from fall, winter and summer together. You can do all the same activities as fall. The snow isn’t quite gone in the mountains for spring skiing and sledding. And it’s finally warm enough to walk, bike, swim and play outside again.
1. Ranger Rides
There are so many fun UTV rides around Bear Lake and right inside Logan Canyon. Spring is a great time to start riding around again after a long winter waiting for the snow to melt.
2. More Biking
- Mountain Bike on the Beaver Mountain Trails
- Use the Bike trail through “town” in Garden City
- Bike to the local Park
- Bike around at Tony Grove Lake
3. More Hot Tub and Game Nights
4. Retreats
Spring is a great time to host retreats at Bear Lake. It’s not overwhelmingly busy but still warm enough to be outside!
All in all – Bear Lake is magic in all four seasons.
Do not be afraid to book a vacation outside of the “Season.” There are so many things to do all year round!
We would LOVE to host you at our rental. Learn more here.