A beautiful natural 70,000-acre freshwater lake on the borders between Utah and Idaho, Bear Lake is not only a popular tourist destination but is also used for irrigation, the generation of hydropower, and flood control. The incredible turquoise color of the water is due to suspended limestone deposits. There are three popular scenic drives around the lake: Laketown Scenic Byway, Bear Lake Scenic Byway, and Logan Canyon Scenic Byway. Of the many hiking and biking trails, some of the most popular are the 11-mile Swan Flat/Red Sink Loop and the 10-mile Steam Mill Lake Trail through fir forests, ending at a 500-year-old, 25-foot-wide limber pine tree. Visitors can rent a jet ski or powerboat or hop on the guided pontoon boat tour. The lake is part of three Utah state parks and two Idaho state parks, which offer beaches, small boat rentals, boat ramps, and camping facilities. Bear Lake is also popular for trout fishing. Map

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