Bear Lake State Park
RV Guide
Introduction
The stunning turquoise waters of Bear Lake draw RV visitors year-round to this sunny northeastern corner of Utah. Minerals from the surrounding mountains flow into the 70,000-acre lake, dissolve in the water and create its famous and beautiful aquamarine blue color. Full of sandy beaches and a rocky mountain backdrop, it’s no wonder this area is known as the “Caribbean of the Rockies.”
Bear Lake is an ancient freshwater lake that was first inhabited by the Shoshone Native American tribes. During the early 1800s, fur trappers and mountain men began to frequent the area and hold annual “rendezvous” meetings with the locals - inspiring the name “Rendezvous Beach” to the Bear Lake State Park beach area. The park opened to the public as a state park in 1962.
At an elevation of 5,930 feet, Bear Lake State Park has all the thrills of a mountain adventure with a relaxing beach feel that will make you forget you’re not at sea level. The peak season runs between May and October when you can have fun boating or ATVing. The winter months are just as fun to visit for fun in the snow with ice fishing and snowmobiling. The picturesque lakeside shore of Bear Lake State Park is a slice of paradise in the West and a great RV stop for adventurers and families alike.
RV Rentals in Bear Lake State Park
Transportation
Driving
Bear Lake State Park is located in Rich County, Northeastern Utah on the shore of Bear Lake and near the Idaho border. There are three distinct areas of the park with different amenities for day and overnight use: The State Marina, Rendezvous Beach, and the Eastside Areas. The State Marina is located on the west side of Bear Lake and features a boat ramp, boat rental office, visitor center, picnic area, and spacious parking area. Rendezvous Beach, on the southwest corner of the lake, is the prime beachfront day use area and the location of the RV campsites. The Park’s Eastside includes the areas of First Point, South Eden, Cisco Beach, Rainbow Cove, and North Eden.
These three main areas of the park are easily reachable by vehicle or RV, and there are large parking areas at each locale. Be sure to check the park website before visiting for any winter weather advisories if traveling in the off-season. If you’re bringing your own watercraft, consider renting one of the overnight slips at the marina to lighten your load.
Parking
Public Transportation
Campgrounds and parking in Bear Lake State Park
Campsites in Bear Lake State Park
Reservations camping
RV Camping at Bear Lake State Park
Bear Lake State Park has 102 standard full hookup RV campsites, all located at Rendezvous Beach. There are two adjacent RV campgrounds in this area; the Birch Campground and the Big Creek Campground. The Birch Campground is closest to the Rendezvous Beach entrance and the day use area and offers 75 RV campsites. The Big Creek Campground is a short distance farther to the east and offers 45 RV campsites. Both of these campgrounds have pull-through, back-in, and accessible sites. Perfectly situated along the wide sandy lakeshore, the campsites here will offer lake and mountain views with easy access to the water.
All Rendezvous Beach campgrounds provide comfort stations with flush toilets and hot showers. There is an RV dump site near the ranger station. There is a maximum number of eight people per campsite and individual campsites are available for rent up to four months in advance. Make sure to check park weather conditions and possible fire restrictions before your trip, as there are occasional fire bans to prevent wildfires.
Seasonal activities in Bear Lake State Park
In-Season
Boating
Boat lovers will enjoy getting out of the motorhome and onto the water at Bear Lake. Navigate the brilliant blue waters on your own boat using the abundant boat ramps, or rent a boat to suit your needs for guaranteed aquatic bliss. Popular with boating enthusiasts, the lake is 20 miles long and eight miles wide, with plenty of room and calm waters. The Marina is open year-round and offers a seven-lane boat ramp, a day-use pavilion, a pump-out station, fish cleaning station and, 21 short-term boat slip rentals.
Watersports
If you're looking for an exciting way to make waves, rent a jet ski and speed your way around the beauty of the lake. Jet skis and wave runners are available for rent at the marina and directly off the Rendezvous Beach. Waterskis, wakeboards, and water pull tubes are also popular sports at Bear Lake with rentals easily available. If you’re looking for a more peaceful experience, they even offer kayak and paddleboard rentals. Whatever mood you’re in, you’ll find a great way to experience the beautiful water and mountain scenery on Bear Lake.
ATVing
Downsize from your rig and take in the landscape on an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle). Rentals of four- or six-seat ATVs are offered by the hour and can be driven straight from the rental facility onto the mountain trails. Trail maps and helmets are included to put you right in the driver’s seat of your own Rocky Mountain adventure. A 15-mile loop from Rendezvous Beach passes through the Round Valley region of the early pioneer settlers and features the remains of a pioneer cemetery and a ghost town.
Off-Season
Snowmobiling
Shake off those winter blues with an exhilarating snowmobile ride through the mountains surrounding Bear Lake. Snowmobiles for one, two or three riders are available to rent to get you and your family out on the mountain trails with ease. Plow through Bear Lake powder snow while taking in the crisp winter air and exploring the park. The well-groomed snowmobile trails are a great way to get out of your rig and into nature, even in the depths of winter.
Ice Fishing
Anglers will love the unique opportunity to try mid-winter ice fishing at Bear Lake State Park. Cisco Beach is famous for is annual whitefish fishing at the end of every January. For less than two weeks a year, small seven-inch whitefish come close to the shore to spawn. Fishing with dip nets, anglers easily scoop them up from the rocky shore or through holes in the ice if the lake is frozen. The lake is covered in ice at some point in the winter nearly every year, so check the park updates on the ice conditions and pack your fishing gear in your RV.
Visit Bear Lake Monster Winterfest
Be a part of Bear Lake’s largest annual Winterfest by planning an RV road trip in late January. This family-friendly charity event is packed with activities and fun for all ages. Indoor and outdoor expos, games, food and karaoke kick off the fun at the Marina. Enjoy early morning fishing and dancing at Cisco Beach, and make sure to enter your biggest whitefish at the tournament held at the marina. The “Monster Plunge” invites the daring to jump the frigid lake for a good cause. The chili cook-off, free raffle, ice-skating, and sports demos are sure to warm you up even on a winters day.
