Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Bear Lake's strong snowpack limits beach space, affecting summer visitors' plans.
- New day-use areas and campsites are under construction to accommodate growing crowds.
- Idaho North Beach offers online reservations; early planning is recommended for visitors.
GARDEN CITY, Rich County — Another strong snowpack for northern Utah means that beachgoers will have to compete for less space on the beaches of Bear Lake this summer.
The growing crowds are an ongoing issue, and that's why the lake is seeing more space open up on its east side, including here at Rainbow Cove. Some day-use areas and half of the campground under construction will open for use this summer.
Meanwhile, visitors can plan for no beach parking this year. Right now, Bear Lake is expected to peak at a little over 5,900 inches, which would put it right around the same levels we saw in the summer of 2024.
That means if you're headed to the Utah side, plan on heading out early.
The Idaho North Beach does have a relatively new online reservation system that will open up in a few weeks. But park managers say those spots tend to get booked up a few weeks in advance, so plan ahead.
"We like the water high here on the Idaho side to be in the shallow end of the lake. All of our ramps rely on the good water," said Andrew Stokes, manager of Bear Lake State Park on the Idaho side.
But let's not forget — the strong snowpack is also a good thing for the state's water supply. It will mean easier access for boaters, too.
"Our East Beach facility, we anticipate the ramp being operable there, but it doesn't take much drop for that to be high and dry," Strokes said.
Idaho state parks will soon start construction on new campsites to their east side that could be open in time for next year.
In the meantime, several area restaurants are starting to open up for weekends out here to support spring snow sports in the area — some of the earliest opening dates in several years.
