Bear Lake
Paris, ID 83261
Plan Your Visit
National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. The refuge is place where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the tens of thousands of birds that use the refuge as a migratory stop over point or vital nesting location.
Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge is managed for the protection of Dingle Swamp and to provide resting and feeding habitat for migrating waterfowl. The Refuge is composed of a 16,000-acre emergent marsh, 500 acres of wet meadows, 1,250 acres of uplands, and 5 miles of riparian corridor. Approximately 100 species of migratory birds nest at Bear Lake NWR, including large concentrations of colonial waterbirds.
Fees
There is no charge to visit.
Restrooms
Public restrooms are available on the west side of the Salt Meadow auto tour route.
Points of Interest
Please visit our kiosks and interpretive signs along our auto tour routes and walking trails. Obtain brochures at the entrance or at various kiosks around the refuge.
Tips for Visitors
Please bring plenty of drinking water and snacks. Sunscreen and insect repellant maybe needed. Dress appropriately for the weather as the refuge is located at 5925 feet in elevation.
Activities
The refuge provides a variety of outdoor recreation activities:
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Auto tour
- Birding
- Boating (motorized and non-motorized)
- Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
- Hiking
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Wildlife watching
Activities
More Activities
Get Involved
Whether you want to further conservation, learn more about nature or share your love of the outdoors, you’ve come to the right place. National wildlife refuges provide many opportunities for you to help your community by doing what you love.
Services
The refuge provides a variety of outdoor recreation activities including hunting, fishing, auto tours, and birding. Management also focuses on conservation efforts like marsh restoration, crop cultivation for wildlife food, and prescribed fire to improve habitat conditions for priority species.
About
Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1968 to protect and manage habitat for waterfowl and other migratory birds. The 18,169-acre refuge is located in the Bear Lake Valley and encompasses cattail marsh, open water, and flooded meadows within the historic Dingle Swamp. Its primary mission is to serve as an inviolate sanctuary for migratory birds and the conservation of fish and wildlife resources.