Discover Bear Lake County

The turquoise waters of Bear Lake get their color from the reflection of calcium carbonate, or limestone, deposits suspended in the lake. The lake is also home to several unique animal species found nowhere else. Nature enthusiasts can also visit a wetland with a particular focus on migratory birds.

Nature at Bear Lake and in Dingle Swamp

The Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge is in Bear Lake County near Montpelier, Idaho. It encompasses part of historic Dingle Swamp along the Bear River north of Bear Lake. Approximately 100 species of migratory birds nest in the refuge. The lake, wetland and nesting birds each offer a different focus for nature viewing.

Bear Lake State Park is in southeastern Idaho near the Cache Mountain Range. From U.S. 89 at St. Charles, the park is accessible via North Beach Road and East Beach Road. Road and access conditions may change seasonally, so check them before setting out.

North Beach in St. Charles has a very large swimming area thanks to the gently sloping lakebed. Two boat ramps provide access for motorized watercraft and jet skis. Local concessions at the beach also rent stand-up paddleboards and kayaks. When planning, you can decide whether the swimming area, a boat ramp or a rental service is of most interest to you.

Caves: a guided tour and year-round ice

Minnetonka Cave offers a 90-minute guided tour covering half a mile. Its nine rooms feature stalactites, stalagmites and banded travertine. Conditions inside the cave are also important for planning your visit: visitors should expect 400 steps and temperatures of about 40 degrees year-round. Check seasonal operating details before your trip.

Paris Ice Cave offers a different focus: its ice does not melt completely, even during the hottest summers, and ice formations occur there year-round. A footbridge crosses the ice at the lowest point in the cave. While the tour at Minnetonka Cave is described by its duration and distance, the enduring ice and bridge are the defining features of Paris Ice Cave.

Living history and historic architecture

The National Oregon/California Trail Center in Montpelier, Idaho, is located along the historic Oregon/California Trail. It offers a fully immersive educational experience with historically accurate exhibit areas and live interpreters. Visitors can explore a gun shop and a general store, ride in a covered wagon and spend time at the Clover Creek Encampment. The visit thus combines exhibit areas with several specific activities.

Paris Tabernacle is considered one of the West's significant pioneer landmarks and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1889 as a Romanesque Mormon tabernacle of red sandstone. The stone had to be hauled by wagon or sled from a quarry 18 miles away. The building features ornate wooden ceilings and stone carvings. This historic structure can thus be viewed through its construction date, architecture and building materials as distinct aspects.

Discover more destinations: Fish Haven, Clark County, Bingham County, Gem County, Owyhee, Ada, Bonner County, Twin Falls.

For the main travel overview: Idaho.