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An amazing destination for people seeking to experience the beauty of nature

Wildlife in Bear Lake State Park

Enjoy its stunning landscapes and wildlife.

Bear Lake State Park is an amazing destination for people seeking to experience the beauty of nature. Located in southeastern Idaho and northern Utah, Bear Lake State Park offers visitors a chance to explore and enjoy its stunning landscapes and wildlife. The park encompasses 7,400 acres of diverse terrain, including marshes, wetlands, alpine meadows, and boreal forests.

Wildlife viewing is one of the primary activities that visitors can enjoy in Bear Lake State Park. While there, adventurers will find a variety of animal species living in the park's natural habitats. The most commonly seen mammals include deer, elk, moose and black bears. Visitors may also spot smaller animals like beavers, squirrels and porcupines. Birdwatchers will find many species of birds in the park, ranging from songbirds to raptors.

In addition to the variety of mammals and birds, Bear Lake State Park also has a wide array of aquatic life. There are many fish species that inhabit the lake, including carp, perch, bass and trout. Visitors may even spot bullfrogs or turtles swimming about in the park's shallow waters. Those lucky enough may even get to witness the park's most iconic inhabitants, the Bear Lake Cutthroat Trout. This species of trout is found only in Bear Lake and it serves as an important reminder of the park's unique wildlife.

Deer

Deer are the most commonly seen animals in Bear Lake State Park. During the spring and summer months, you're likely to find them grazing on grasses near meadows or wooded areas. Elk can also be found during this time of year and they often feed along streams or marshes. In addition to these larger mammals, visitors may chance upon smaller critters like beavers, groundhogs and raccoons.

Black Bears

Black bears are another commonly seen mammal in the park. These large animals usually stay away from people but can be spotted in meadow areas or along forest edges. While black bears typically avoid humans, visitors should still take precautions when out on the trails and never approach or feed them.
Geese flying over Bear Lake national wildlife in Utah

Moose

Moose is another large mammal that visitors may encounter in Bear Lake State Park. These animals can be seen along wooded edges and near ponds or lakes, and they often feed on aquatic vegetation. Moose have a distinct antler formation which makes them easy to identify from other wildlife in the park.

Porcupines

Porcupines are slow-moving, nocturnal animals that can be encountered at Bear Lake State Park. These creatures have an unmistakable coat of spiny quills which they use as a defense against predators. Visitors are likely to find porcupines in the park's old-growth forests and they can be seen climbing trees or foraging on the ground.

Cutthroat Trout

The Bear Lake Cutthroat Trout is an iconic species that inhabits the lake and its tributaries. This is a unique fish species whose numbers have been decreasing in recent years due to water pollution. Visitors should take special care not to disturb this species and ensure that they don't introduce any non-native fish species into the park's waters.

Bird Species

Sandhill Crane

Sandhill Cranes are one of the most beautiful bird species that can be seen in Bear Lake State Park. These large birds stand up to four feet tall and have a wingspan of between seven to eight feet. They feed on small insects, fish, rodents, and plant material. During the spring they can be seen nesting along lake shores or wetlands areas.

Snowy Egret

The Snowy Egret is another bird species that can be seen in the park, primarily near wetlands or marshes. These birds are easy to spot because of their bright white feathers and dark yellow feet. They feed on small fish and frogs, as well as insects like dragonflies and crickets. When out searching for Snowy Egrets keep an eye out for their slow, graceful wading.

Canada Geese

Canada Geese are a common sight in Bear Lake State Park, often seen flying overhead or feeding on aquatic vegetation. These birds have a distinct honking call and can be identified by their black heads and white cheeks. Canada Geese typically live in family groups so visitors may see multiple geese together.

White Pelicans

White Pelicans are another species of bird that can be seen in Bear Lake State Park. These large birds have a wingspan of up to 10 feet and can often be found flying in large flocks. Visitors may also spot these birds foraging for food near lake shores. White pelicans feed on small fish, insects, and sometimes even larger prey like frogs and snakes. Keep an eye out for their long, curved beaks which are perfect for capturing their prey.

Anasazi

Anasazi

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Antelope Island

Antelope Island

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Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon

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Bear Lake

Bear Lake

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Camp Floyd

Camp Floyd

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Coral Pink Sand Dunes

Coral Pink Sand Dunes

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Dead Horse Point

Dead Horse Point

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Deer Creek

Dear Creek

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East Canyon

East Canyon

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Echo

Edge of the Cedars

Edge of the Cedars

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Escalante Petrified Forest

Escalante Petrified Forest

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Flight Park

Flight Park

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Freemont Indian

Freemont Indian

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Frontier Homestead

Frontier Homstead

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Goblin Valley

Goblin Valley

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Goosenecks

Goosenecks

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The Great Salt Lake

The Great Salt Lake

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Green River

Green River

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Gunlock

Gunlock

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Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail

Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail

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Huntington 

Huntington

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Hyrum

Jordan River Off-Highway Vehicle

Jordan River Off-Highway Vehicle

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Jordanelle

Jordanelle

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Kodachrome Basin

Kodachrome Basin

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Snow Canyon

Snow Canyon

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Yuba

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