The Bear Lake Monster, is it Fact or Fiction?

Is Bear Lake home to a monster? Sighted by few, believed by many, the Bear Lake Monster may reside near the Idaho/Utah border.

The story originates from articles written by Joseph C. Rich in the 19^th Century. In 1868, he wrote an account of sightings by several people. According to the report, the brown monster is 90 feet long and looks like a huge snake. Another report claims that a second, smaller monster also exists.

Native American Lore says the Bear Lake Monster was a young couple who was being chased by fellow tribesmen and dove into the lake. Here, they were magically changed into the monsters so they could be together in peace.

Different sightings through the years report that the Bear Lake Monster can swim over sixty miles per hour. It has been reported on as recently as 2004. There are many accounts as to the head of the Bear Lake Monster, yet no one has reported seeing what the back part of the animal looks like as it is always under water.

Bear Lake lies on the border between Utah and Idaho near the Wyoming border. The sightings of the Bear Lake Monster are very similar to the sightings of the Loch Ness monster. Trying to prove, or disprove, its existence, 300 boats were fitted with Sonar. They scanned the entire lake and many different documentary channels have researched the sightings. However, the Bear Lake Monster has been elusive and nothing was proved.

If you are into camping and legends, Garden City Utah would welcome you. There are many things to do in the area including exploring the Minnetonka Cave, checking out the Paris Tabernacle or the Pioneer Museum. You can also experience living history at the Clover Creek wagon train encampment or check out the Rails and Trails Museum where the celebrate the history of the Oregon Trail and other historic routes in the area. There are pioneer artifacts and historic photographs and items about the earliest settlers of Bear Lake Valley.

The Bear Lake Chamber of Commerce has many details of local events such as the Chocolate Festival just in time for Valentine's Day in 2010. They can also tell you the best place to camp or stay and where to shop. It also has a great write up of the Bear Lake Monster and the history of Bear Lake.

Legends such as the Bear Lake Monster provide a wonderful distraction. The Utah/Idaho country is beautiful and well worth checking out on your next vacation. Who knows, you may be the one to solve the mystery of the Bear Lake Monster.