The Caribou National Forest offer many recreation opportunities in and around the Bear River Range. Some of the public lands are in the Cache National Forest, but are managed by the Caribou. The Montpelier Ranger District (208-847-0375), located in the National Oregon-California Trail Museum in Montpelier ( 208-847-3800 ) can offer more information on recreation and travel in the National Forest. So can the Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau at 208-945-2072.
Minnetonka Cave
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Minnetonka Cave is 10 miles west of St. Charles, northwest of Bear Lake. This unique cave offers a half-mile of fascinating limestone stalactites, stalagmites and banded travertine formations. Guides conduct daily tours June 15 through Labor Day. There is an entry fee. Three campgrounds in the canyon offer good accommodations with hiking and fishing nearby. There is also a large group use area available by reservation.
208-847-0375
Highline Trail
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The Highline Trail runs 55 miles along the Bear River Range and affords wide-open vistas of the Cache and Bear River Valleys. Emigration Campground serves as an intermediate trailhead. The 55-mile trail runs north and south from Soda Point, with access from Nelson Canyon to Beaver Campground near the Utah line.
Bloomington Lake
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This small alpine lake at the head of Bloomington Canyon is reached by a mile of non-motorized trail and offers tremendous scenery for picnics. No overnight camping is available.
Montpelier Reservoir
The area features an earth-filled dam, 82 feet high and impounding 3,850 acre feet of water. The reservoir provides bank fishing and non-motorized boating.
Meade Peak
9,953 feet high, it’s the highest point in Bear Lake, Oneida, Caribou and Franklin counties.
Ice Caves
These caves are small and unimproved, but offer the visitor a beautiful mountain setting and the chance to explore. The caves are located in Paris Canyon and scattered areas. Ice can be found in the caves year round.
The Caribou National Forest has established travel regulations to protect forest values, safeguard users and minimize conflicts between forest visitors. These regulations are part of the forest’s travel map and available at the Ranger District offices.
