Sitting at the foot of the Wasatch Range of the Rocky Mountains, Bear Lake is in both Utah and Idaho. With year-round beauty and spectacular mountain and lake scenery, Bear Lake has lots of different activities that take advantage of all the region has to offer. Ski and snowmobile during the winter, and then come back for boating, hiking, horseback riding, golf and even spelunking in the local caves during the summer. You can find the perfect Bear Lake vacation rental, whether you are looking for a place on the water or secluded in nature. You’ll be close to interesting attractions like the Oregon Trail Center or the Paris Pioneer Museum, as well as the Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

1. Garden City

Garden City puts you right where the action is, with gift shops and restaurants an easy stroll away. Don’t miss out on one of Bear Lake’s popular raspberry milkshakes! Vacation rentals large enough to host family reunions often sit right on the shores of the turquoise lake with beachfront access so you can relax on the sand. The Garden City Boardwalk lets you walk through protected wetlands to check out birds and wildlife. The Beaver Mountain Ski Resort is just a short drive away, and hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails surround you in every direction.

2. The Reserve at Bear Lake

Head to the private gated community of The Reserve in Fish Haven to enjoy easy access to snowmobiling and ATV fun in Fish Haven Canyon, as well as hundreds of miles of hiking trails up the canyon. The rugged landscape all around you contrasts strikingly with the luxurious vacation rentals in this spot, and a sense of idyllic peace emanates from the crystal blue lake as you relax on a wraparound deck and enjoy the breathtaking view. Kids can enjoy the community’s playground and splash zone, not to mention the private beach.

3. Snow Meadows

Gather with friends to spend a week of snowmobiling fun at Snow Meadows. A paved bike trail carries you through beautiful terrain when you want to explore, and beach access is only minutes away. During the summer, lush lawns surround your vacation rental, and local restaurants welcome you relax and enjoy celebrating life with your friends and family.

4. St. Charles

This quaint community sits between the beauty of Bear Lake and the majestic foothills of the Wasatch Mountains. Don’t miss the memorial that shows off the town’s pride in Gutzon Borglum, the famous sculptor who created Mount Rushmore. When you find a cozy spot here with friends or family, you can often expect to snowmobile away right from your front door, and don’t be surprised to peek out a cabin window to see a deer watching you back.

5. Shundahai

When you can’t choose between the lake and the mountain, Shundahai is the vacation rental spot of choice. With Beaver Mountain Ski Resort in one direction and Bear Lake Marina in the other, wintertime and summer fun are both covered. Peaceful solitude and expansive views of both the mountains and the crystal blue lake give way to snowmobile and ATV trails when you want something a little more rollicking.

6. Harbor Village

Bear Lake visitors who find themselves attracted to the water feel right at home in Harbor Village, which allows easy access to Bear Lake Marina for sailing, kayaking and other water sports in the glorious summertime. Large vacation homes accommodate family reunions, girls’ weekends out, and other large groups, with hot tubs and decks to encourage relaxing. Pedal straight to the village on a paved bike path to enjoy shops and restaurants. Tennis courts and an outdoor pool add to the summer fun in Harbor Village.

7. Cherimoya Hill

Staying in the Cherimoya Hill neighborhood puts you just a couple of miles from the beach while giving you immediate access to exciting snowmobile trails outside your door. In the summer, hop on an ATV to explore the rugged terrain that seems to go on forever, or set out on food starting from a nearby trailhead to breathe in fresh mountain air and hike through the Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge close up.

8. Sweetwater Hill

Golf lovers find a welcome in the Bear Lake vacation rental neighborhood of Sweetwater Hill, along the western side of Bear Lake. In this community, your deck is likely to overlook the Bear Lake Golf Course, with the lake itself beckoning just beyond.

9. Buttercup Estates

An abundance of paved roads makes it easy to get in and out of Buttercup Estates, where you might find yourself staying in a refurbished barn dripping with charm. Enjoy the quiet solitude of this stunning neighborhood, knowing that Beaver Mountain Ski Resort and Bear Lake Marina are both only minutes away.

10. Laketown

At the south end of Bear Lake, Laketown has a fascinating history stretching back a couple hundred years to the time when famous mountain men used to meet up with Native Americans to trade furs. Now, Laketown visitors have access to a Utah state park as well as the lake, and a paved bike path lets you explore the area around the lake.