Description
Bear Lake North Beach, located near St. Charles on the Idaho–Utah border, is one of the most popular and scenic beaches on Bear Lake, often called the “Caribbean of the Rockies” for its bright turquoise water. The long sandy shoreline and gently sloping lake bottom make it perfect for swimming, relaxing, kayaking, and spending the day on the beach with family and friends. North Beach is part of Bear Lake State Park and offers easy access, wide open beach areas, and incredible views across the lake into Utah.
More Information
Bear Lake Visitor Guide: https://www.visitbearlake.org/
Minnetonka Cave (near St. Charles): https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/ctnf/recarea/?recid=5431
Garden City, UT attractions: https://www.visitutah.com/places-to-go/cities-and-towns/garden-city
Bear Lake State Park info: https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/state-park/bear-lake-state-park/
Coordinates: 42.118314, -111.288132
Elevation: 5930 ft
Difficulty: 1
What to Expect:
Check In
Use the form below to check in. Check-ins must include a photo of you or your bike at the challenge site with the 2026 bandanna. All participants must be registered IAMC Challenge Members. Leave a description of your ride and share road conditions — snow, water, obstacles, and tips for future riders are all appreciated.
Replying to another person's check-in is encouraged, but take care not to accidentally create your own check-in.
The stated difficulty is an estimate. Rating your experience helps future riders stay safe. You alone are responsible for the safety of your ride.
9 Check-Ins
Nice, very blue lake, and it seems to be a big tourist attraction. Although not today! I rolled in with a huge storm Fri Sep 18th, and it was still cold and raining on Sat Sep 19th when I visited the site, so there weren't a lot of people there.
It's a very interesting area in general, and there are a lot of ways to approach the lake. The "mud flats" to the northeast of it are also interesting, and a nice ride (along Dingle Rd).
Beautiful lake, but I did not want to pay the entrance fee. Place was empty for a Friday.
Easy check-in. This beach is about 1 1/2 miles long and when we went (on Monday) the place was wall-to-wall with cars and people. We spent the rest of the afternoon out on the water on air mattresses. It was a beautiful day! Side bar....the photo of this challenge site above shows the Utah state park marina down by Garden City.....there is a cafe on the floating dock that serves delicious hamburgers! Seating is on top of the main marina building with great viewing of all that goes on at the marina.
Every time I go to Bear Lake it amazes me how blue the water looks. Didn't pay to go into the state park so just a picture next to the lake
Got this on the way home from Moab. I was going to get the pink bench overlook too, but it is currently snowing up there!
Cold and windy but nice A lot of construction getting ready for the big season
