According to educationvv.com, Bear Lake County is a rural county located in the southeastern corner of Idaho, near the border with Utah and Wyoming. It is home to approximately 5,500 residents spread across its 642 square miles of land. The county seat is Paris, which is located along the banks of Bear Lake State Park.
Bear Lake County was first established in 1875 and named after Bear Lake, a large freshwater lake that straddles the Idaho-Utah border. The economy of Bear Lake County is primarily based on agriculture, with dairy farming being the primary source of income for many families. Other important industries include tourism, timber harvesting, and recreation.
The county’s population has remained relatively stable over time due to its rural nature and lack of large cities or towns within its boundaries. However, it has seen some growth in recent years due to an influx of retirees looking for a quiet place to settle down and enjoy nature.
The area receives plenty of sunshine throughout the year and experiences four distinct seasons. Average temperatures range from highs in the mid-80s during summer months to lows around zero during winter months. Summer months tend to be dry while winter months bring frequent snowfall that can accumulate up to several feet deep at times.
Bear Lake County offers plenty of outdoor activities for visitors including camping at Bear Lake State Park or one of its many other campgrounds, fishing on Bear Lake or one of its many smaller lakes and streams, hiking in one of its five designated wilderness areas or through one of its many trails, kayaking on one its rivers or streams, snowmobiling across its snowy trails during winter months, and enjoying views from one of its two scenic overlooks (Montpelier Mountain Overlook & Fish Haven Overlook).
History of Bear Lake County, Idaho
Bear Lake County, Idaho is located in the southeastern corner of the state near the borders of Utah and Wyoming. It was first established in 1875 and named after Bear Lake, a large freshwater lake that straddles the Idaho-Utah border. The county covers 642 square miles of land and is home to approximately 5,500 residents. The county seat is Paris, which is located along the banks of Bear Lake State Park.
The area has a long history of human occupation that dates back at least 10,000 years ago when Native American tribes such as the Shoshone, Bannock, Paiute, and Gosiute lived in the area. By 1811 fur trappers from John Jacob Astor’s Pacific Fur Company had arrived in the region to hunt for beaver pelts.
In 1843 Mormon settlers began arriving in what would become Bear Lake County. They established communities such as Paris, Ovid, Montpelier and Fish Haven along with many smaller settlements throughout the area. In 1875 Bear Lake County was officially formed out of parts of Oneida and Caribou Counties.
During its early years Bear Lake County was primarily an agricultural region with dairy farming being its primary source of income for many families. Timber harvesting was also an important industry during this time period as well as recreation due to its abundance of lakes and streams for fishing, camping and outdoor activities.
In recent years, Bear Lake County has seen an influx of retirees looking for a quiet place to settle down and enjoy nature due to its rural nature and lack of large cities or towns within its boundaries. The area receives plenty of sunshine throughout the year and experiences four distinct seasons with average temperatures ranging from highs in mid-80s during summer months to lows around zero during winter months making it an ideal location for outdoor activities such as camping at one of its many campgrounds or hiking through one of its five designated wilderness areas or through one of its many trails.
Major cities and towns in Bear Lake County, Idaho
Bear Lake County, Idaho is located in the north-western corner of the state near the borders of Utah and Wyoming. It covers 642 square miles of land and is home to approximately 5,500 residents. The county seat is Paris, which is located along the banks of Bear Lake State Park. There are several other cities and towns in Bear Lake County, each with its own unique characteristics and attractions.
Paris is the largest city in Bear Lake County with a population of approximately 1,000 people. This small town lies along the banks of Bear Lake and offers visitors a unique combination of outdoor activities such as fishing, camping, boating, hiking, biking and more. Paris also boasts a variety of shops and restaurants for visitors to enjoy during their stay.
The city of Montpelier lies just east of Paris along Highway 30 and serves as a hub for many rural communities within the county. It features several restaurants and shops as well as a variety of recreational activities such as golfing at Montpelier Golf Course or visiting Bear Lake State Park for picnicking or swimming in its crystal-clear waters.
Fish Haven is another small town located on the southeastern shoreline of Bear Lake offering visitors plenty to do including fishing on its many lakeside beaches or exploring one of its many trails for hiking or mountain biking. The city also boasts several restaurants specializing in locally caught fish such as bass or trout from nearby lakes as well as plenty of shopping opportunities at local stores throughout town.
Ovid is another small community located just south of Montpelier that offers visitors plenty to do including exploring one of its many trails for hiking or mountain biking through nearby forests or visiting Ovid Hot Springs for a relaxing soak after a long day outdoors. The city also features several restaurants serving up delicious meals made from locally sourced ingredients as well as plenty of antique shops that are perfect for picking up unique souvenirs from your travels through Bear Lake County, Idaho.
Airports in Bear Lake County, Idaho
According to countryaah, Bear Lake County, Idaho is home to two small airports that offer a variety of services for both general aviation and commercial flights.
The first airport is located in Montpelier, just east of Paris. This airport offers a single 4,000-foot runway with an asphalt surface and can accommodate aircraft up to 12,500 pounds. The airport serves as the main hub for the county’s general aviation and commercial flights, offering services such as flight instruction, charter flights, air taxi services and more. The airport also features a full-service FBO (fixed base operator) offering fueling services as well as a variety of other amenities such as hangar rental, aircraft maintenance and repair services.
The second airport is located in Fish Haven on the southeastern shoreline of Bear Lake. This airport offers a single 3,000-foot runway with an asphalt surface and can accommodate aircraft up to 10,000 pounds. This smaller facility serves primarily as a reliever for the Montpelier Airport but also offers several other amenities such as flight instruction, charter flights and air taxi services. The Fish Haven Airport also features several hangars for rent if you’re looking to store your plane while you explore all that Bear Lake County has to offer.
Both airports offer convenient access to all of the attractions in Bear Lake County including outdoor activities such as fishing on its many lakeside beaches or exploring one of its many trails for hiking or mountain biking through nearby forests or visiting Ovid Hot Springs for a relaxing soak after a long day outdoors. Whether you’re looking for some adventure or just wanting to relax in one of Idaho’s most beautiful counties, Bear Lake County has something for everyone.