How big is Bear Lake?

A Closer Look at the Size and Scale of This High-Altitude Lake

Bear Lake, often described as the “Caribbean of the Rockies,” is more than just a picturesque destination—it is a massive and geographically fascinating body of water that straddles the border of Utah and Idaho. Visitors are often surprised by its vast expanse, vibrant turquoise color, and high-elevation setting. But just how big is Bear Lake?

To fully appreciate the scale of this natural wonder, it’s important to explore its physical dimensions, water volume, shoreline, and how its size compares to other well-known lakes in the western United States.

Location and General Overview

Bear Lake lies in the Bear Lake Valley, along the Utah–Idaho border in the Rocky Mountains. Roughly half of the lake sits in Rich County, Utah, while the other half belongs to Bear Lake County, Idaho. Its remote location, framed by mountain ranges and farmland, adds to its charm, but the lake’s size is what truly sets it apart.

Surface Area and Dimensions

Bear Lake spans an impressive 109 square miles, or approximately 282 square kilometers. This makes it one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in the western United States. The lake is roughly 20 miles (32 kilometers) long from north to south and about 8 miles (13 kilometers) wide at its broadest point from east to west.

Because of its elongated shape and expansive surface area, Bear Lake often feels more like an inland sea than a traditional alpine lake. The lake is large enough to support multiple marinas, several public beaches, and a wide range of water-based activities like boating, water skiing, jet skiing, kayaking, and fishing—all without feeling crowded.

Depth and Water Volume

In addition to its surface area, Bear Lake is also quite deep. It reaches a maximum depth of 208 feet (63 meters). The lake’s volume is estimated to be around 6.5 million acre-feet, making it a significant water body in terms of both depth and capacity. The deep blue color of the lake comes from the way limestone particles in the water reflect sunlight—a unique optical effect that intensifies with depth.

Bear Lake's water level is partially regulated by the Bear Lake Outlet Canal, which connects the lake to the Bear River. This allows water to be stored and released for agricultural irrigation in surrounding valleys, and it plays a role in maintaining the lake’s fluctuating shoreline.

Shoreline and Accessibility

Bear Lake’s shoreline stretches approximately 48 miles (77 kilometers) around its perimeter. This shoreline includes public beaches, state park access points, private resorts, campgrounds, and undeveloped natural areas. On the Utah side, visitors can enjoy Rendezvous Beach, Bear Lake Marina, and various east-side campgrounds. On the Idaho side, North Beach is the most prominent access point, offering shallow, sandy areas ideal for swimming.

Despite its size, Bear Lake is surprisingly accessible. Multiple roads loop around the lake, including scenic byways and state highways, making it easy for visitors to explore the entire lakefront and visit towns like Garden City, Laketown, Fish Haven, and St. Charles.

How Bear Lake Compares to Other Lakes

To put Bear Lake’s size into perspective, it is significantly larger than most other alpine lakes in the region. For example, Utah Lake—which is much shallower—covers about 150 square miles but does not have Bear Lake’s depth or striking color. Lake Tahoe, located on the California-Nevada border, is bigger in volume and slightly larger in surface area at about 191 square miles, but Bear Lake still ranks among the largest natural freshwater lakes in the Intermountain West.

What sets Bear Lake apart is its combination of high elevation (nearly 5,924 feet or 1,806 meters above sea level), size, and clarity. The lake has a unique ecological and geological makeup and is even home to several fish species found nowhere else in the world, such as the Bonneville Cisco and Bear Lake Whitefish.

Final Thoughts: Just How Big is Bear Lake?

Bear Lake is big in every sense of the word. With a surface area of 109 square miles, a length of 20 miles, and depths over 200 feet, it’s a sprawling natural treasure that offers plenty of room for recreation, solitude, and scenic enjoyment. Its dual-state location, unique water color, and accessibility make it one of the most fascinating and beloved lakes in the western U.S.

Whether you're gazing at it from a mountaintop viewpoint, relaxing on one of its many beaches, or cruising across its calm surface, Bear Lake’s vastness is something you have to see—and feel—for yourself.