How much does camping cost at Bear Lake State Park?

Camping fees at Bear Lake State Park range from $7-$25/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Bear Lake State Park first-come first-served or reservation?

Bear Lake State Park accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit Bear Lake State Park?

Bear Lake State Park is open Summer months are ideal based on climate and visitor reviews.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Bear Lake State Park?

Yes, Bear Lake State Park has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

How many campsites does Bear Lake State Park have?

Bear Lake State Park has 49 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Check availability online to find the best site for your needs.

Are dogs allowed at Bear Lake State Park?

Yes, pets are allowed at Bear Lake State Park. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Bear Lake State Park?

Bear Lake State Park offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Bear Lake State Park?

Popular activities at Bear Lake State Park include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing, Beach Activities. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Bear Lake State Park

4.12

49 reviews

PO Box 35, Saint Charles, Idaho, 83272-0035, United States

Scenic ViewsSwimmingSummer Destination

Featured in:Beach Camping Idaho

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

6,253 ft

Price

$7 - $25/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

49 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Pets Allowed

Partial HookupsPull-ThroughUp to 90 ftShowers

Book on Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Set up a cancellation alert Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

6,253 ft

Price

$7 - $25/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

49 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Pets Allowed

Partial HookupsPull-ThroughUp to 90 ftShowers

Book on Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation Set up a cancellation alert Official Website

Get Directions

Bear Lake State Park

$7.00 - $25.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Visitor reports indicate a parking/entrance charge (one review mentions $14 to park). Some sites are power-only or water-and-power (no full hookups...

Standard Site Fee$0.00

Hookup Site Fee$0.00

Premium Site Fee$0.00

Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00

Group Site Fee$0.00

Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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What Campers Say

4.12

Satisfactory

Based on 49 reviews

244 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewswaterbeachstaff

Some mention

mosquitoes

"Visitors overwhelmingly praise the vividly blue/turquoise water, sandy beaches, mountain views, and boating opportunities. Common complaints include crowding, wind and lack of shade, insects (mosquitoes/flies), variable restroom/showers by unit, and limited hookups or dump facilities."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

PO Box 35, Saint Charles, Idaho, 83272-0035, United States

Bear Lake State Park

PO Box 35, Saint Charles, Idaho, 83272-0035, United States

Nearby places

Pocatello, Idaho (approx. 2 hours) and Salt Lake City, Utah (approx. 3 hours).

Nearby supplies

Supplies such as firewood, snacks, camping gear, and ice are available within 10 miles. Retail stores, motels, and golf courses are also nearby.

Driving directionsBear Lake State Park can be accessed from US 89 at St. Charles, Idaho via the North and East Beach roads. The park is 2 hours south of Pocatello, Idaho, and 3 hours north of Salt Lake City, UT.

The campground is easily accessible via US 89, with directions clearly leading to North and East Beach roads. Some user reviews report difficulties in finding the campground, suggesting reliance on direct GPS coordinates or ranger-provided physical addresses for navigation.

Best Time to Camp at Bear Lake State Park

Summer delivers the warmest lake conditions and fullest range of activities. Daytime highs reach the mid-60s to mid-80s°F at 6,253 feet, with cool nights in the 40s–50s. The lake warms by July and August, ideal for swimming and boating. Afternoon breezes often hit 10–25 mph. Fall brings gold and crimson hillsides and fewer crowds. Winter opens the park to snowmobilers and ice fishers willing to brave freezing conditions. The open landscape means wind year-round, and summer sun is intense without shade.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Warmest lake conditions, fullest activities and most positive summer reviews; busiest season.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Summer months are ideal based on climate and visitor reviews.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open year-round; busiest in summer. Winter use includes snowmobiling and ice fishing.
Current Alerts: User reviews mention maintenance concerns such as overgrown weeds and garbage in fire pits.

About Bear Lake State Park

Bear Lake State Park sits on the turquoise shore of Bear Lake, a Rocky Mountain destination known for its Caribbean-blue water and sandy beaches. The park offers 49 sites ranging from primitive tent spots to hookup sites and cabins, with fees from $7 to $25 per night. Sites are closely spaced, and the open terrain means wind and sun dominate the experience.

Provides a mix of lakefront tent and RV sites and also offers cabins; some areas are more rustic while others offer power or water hookups.

Weather and SeasonsSummer delivers the warmest lake conditions and fullest range of activities. Daytime highs reach the mid-60s to mid-80s°F at 6,253 feet, with cool nights in the 40s–50s. The lake warms by July and August, ideal for swimming and boating. Afternoon breezes often hit 10–25 mph. Fall brings gold and crimson hillsides and fewer crowds. Winter opens the park to snowmobilers and ice fishers willing to brave freezing conditions. The open landscape means wind year-round, and summer sun is intense without shade.

ElevationPerched in the rarified air of the high mountain desert, Bear Lake State Park offers a camping experience unlike any other. This elevated sanctuary combines the stark beauty of desert landscapes with the refreshing presence of an alpine lake, creating a unique ecosystem where sagebrush meets shoreline. The altitude adds a crispness to the air and an intensity to the sunlight that makes colors seem more vivid and stars shine more brilliantly in the night sky.

Natural Features and SceneryThe lake's vivid turquoise color is the main draw, backed by Rocky Mountain views across the water. Sandy beaches stretch along the shoreline with gradual entry perfect for wading and swimming. The campground sits in open terrain with little natural shade or wind protection. Some sites are positioned directly on the beach. Expect rodents and flies, especially in summer.

Geological RegionLocated on Bear Lake in the Bear Lake Valley, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains

Scenic ViewsCaribbean-blue lake views and mountain vistas are common from campsites; several sites provide direct beach access or unobstructed lake views.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style accommodations are provided on-site.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are explicitly mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

Null

Check-out

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Stay Limit

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Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum occupancy of 8 people per site in Mountain Fawn Campground and up to 50-80 people per group site.

Groups

Group sites, such as '100 Group Camp,' accommodate up to 50 people and have water hookups. Another group site, '300 Group Camp,' accommodates up to 80 people but has no water hookups.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Reservation PlatformsUseDirect (typical reservation platform for state parks; see official Idaho state parks site)

Walk-in AvailabilityFirst-come, first-served availability is mentioned for North Beach. Weekends and holidays see high demand requiring prior reservations.

Cancellation PolicySpecific cancellation policies are not outlined in the source.

Site SizeSite sizes vary; some accommodate equipment up to 90 feet.

PrivacyCampsites are noted to be closely spaced, and privacy may be limited. Ted Wicks commented, 'campsites are nice but very close to each other.

Total Campsites49 campsites

Best CampsitesBeachfront sites offer direct lake access and views. Site 40 sits steps from a private sandy beach. Pull-through site 29 in Mountain Fawn Campground has gravel pads, lake and mountain views. Avoid sites too close to pit toilets if you're sensitive to odor.

Need help booking Bear Lake State Park?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Mix of developed amenities and more basic facilities depending on unit/area. Some sites offer electrical and some water hookups; vault/pit toilets and picnic facilities are provided, and showers are available in parts of the park. No full sewer/dump station is indicated.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Fire rings

Picnic tables

RV details

Electric hookups47 of 69 sites (68%)

6 pull-through sitesUp to 90 ft vehicles

Activities you can enjoy

Typical lakefront recreation with water-based activities, shoreline swimming, and trail access nearby. Winter activities include ice fishing and snowmobiling in season.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsCommon issues reported include abundant mosquitoes, flies, and rodents; windy and exposed campsites (limited shade); muddy or low-depth beach conditions in places; crowding/noise on busy summer days; some areas have pit toilets with associated odors.

Active AlertsUser reviews mention maintenance concerns such as overgrown weeds and garbage in fire pits.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available; vault toilets are used throughout the park.

No Dump StationThere is no dump station at this campground. Plan to use a dump station along your route or at a nearby facility before or after your stay.

Weather at Bear Lake State Park

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.1

49 reviews

Satisfactory

Bear Lake State Park is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Visitors overwhelmingly praise the vividly blue/turquoise water, sandy beaches, mountain views, and boating opportunities. Common complaints include crowding, wind and lack of shade, insects (mosquitoes/flies), variable restroom/showers by unit, and limited hookups or dump facilities.

Review Summaries

Based on 49 reviews

What Campers Love

Caribbean-blue water, long sandy beaches, excellent swimming and boating, family-friendly gradual beach entry, picturesque mountain views, well-liked park staff/maintenance in many reviews.

Based on 49 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reserve early for lakefront sites; bring shade (awnings or pop-ups) and insect repellent; avoid sites immediately adjacent to pit toilets if possible; expect windy conditions and bring gear for...

Based on 49 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews are generally positive, with the lake's water and recreational activities receiving praise. Spring reviews note cold and windy conditions, while fall reviews are limited. Winter...

Based on 49 reviews

Camper Quotes

“The water changes colors throughout the day in the most beautiful shades of turquoise.” — “Every campsite has a view of the lake, mountains and sunset.” — “Beautiful place but... the RV space had NO...

Based on 49 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Courtney Roser praised site 40, calling it 'perfect... literally steps to what feels like your own private sandy beach.' Gabriel W noted issues with North Beach, calling it a 'mud beach.'

Based on 49 reviews

Accessibility Features

Some group sites are ADA-accessible, but detailed reviews on accessibility are lacking.

Based on 49 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Some users noted issues with pets on the beach and in the campground. Sarah B stated, 'I wish they would enforce the dog rules; they are on the beach and in the campground unleashed.'

Based on 49 reviews

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Nearby Campgrounds

Less Visited

4.1

(39)

St. Charles Campground

AUD & DI CAMPGROUNDS HC-82 BOX 1158

St. Charles Campground sits in St. Charles Canyon within Caribou-Targhee National Forest at 6,129 feet elevation. The seven sites (six single, one group) range from $20-50 per night and offer quick access to Bear Lake and Minnetonka Cave. Sites are small, particularly for larger trailers.