Called
by some people the "Caribbean of the Rockies," Bear Lake resembles
the warmer climes with its turquoise-colored water surrounded by white sandy
beaches. Suspended limestone particles give the lake its unusual color. The
lake, which straddles the Utah/Idaho border, is 20 miles long, eight miles
wide, and covers 112 square acres. On Bear Lake's Eastside area, Cisco Beach
attracts divers with its wooden walkways that help divers reach their
destination. The site has a rocky bottom and a steep drop-off close to
shore. Cisco Beach is about 10 miles north of Laketown, Utah. C-cards and
dive buddies are required. Cisco Beach is famous for its midwinter fishing
with dip nets for the small, seven-inch Bonneville Cisco, a member of the
white fish family. For a week to 10 days every January, swarms of Cisco come
close to the rocky shore to spawn.
Depths to: 208 feet (63 m)
Visibility: 20-30 feet (6-9 m)
Water temperature: 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees
Celsius) in midsummer
Aquatic life: Mostly carp but small critters like Bonneville
Cisco also inhabit the areas near shore.
Fees: $7 per vehicle per day, with a camping fee of $7 per
night.
On-site amenities: Services around the lake vary. In the
Cisco Beach area visitors will find RV trailer sites, tent sites, camper
areas, drinking water, and picnic areas.
More info: Call Bear Lake State Park at (435) 946-3343,
visit
or call the Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 448-BEAR.
Open: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. year-round.
Getting there: From Salt Lake City, drive east on Interstate
80. After crossing the border into Wyoming, exit at Evanston and turn north
onto Wyoming Highway 89. The highway becomes Utah Highway 16 after you cross
back into Utah. Eight miles north of Randolph at Sage Creek Junction turn
left on Utah Highway 30 toward Laketown. From there, look for signs
directing you to the lake's east side.
Called
by some people the "Caribbean of the Rockies," Bear Lake resembles
the warmer climes with its turquoise-colored water surrounded by white sandy
beaches. Suspended limestone particles give the lake its unusual color. The
lake, which straddles the Utah/Idaho border, is 20 miles long, eight miles
wide, and covers 112 square acres. On Bear Lake's Eastside area, Cisco Beach
attracts divers with its wooden walkways that help divers reach their
destination. The site has a rocky bottom and a steep drop-off close to
shore. Cisco Beach is about 10 miles north of Laketown, Utah. C-cards and
dive buddies are required. Cisco Beach is famous for its midwinter fishing
with dip nets for the small, seven-inch Bonneville Cisco, a member of the
white fish family. For a week to 10 days every January, swarms of Cisco come
close to the rocky shore to spawn.