Hiking & Scenic Nature Trails

Hiking & Scenic Nature Trails

The two easiest, most reliable hikes near Bear Lake are the Limber Pine Nature Trail, a 1.3-mile loop at the top of Logan Canyon with sweeping lake views, and the Bear Lake Legacy Pathway, a flat paved path running from the state park marina through Garden City. Both are family friendly with almost no elevation to worry about, and both are within a short drive of most homes in town.

What to expect

Limber Pine Nature Trail sits right at Bear Lake Summit on Highway 89, about 30 miles up Logan Canyon from Logan and just before the road drops into Garden City. It's a self-guided loop with 13 interpretive signs about the local forest, wildlife, and geology, built around a cluster of limber pine trees, several trunks grown together over centuries, that give the trail its name. The path is wide, mostly shaded, and gains only around 300 feet, and it opens up to real views of Bear Lake about halfway through. Plan on 45 minutes to an hour, longer with young kids stopping to read every sign. Dogs are welcome on leash, and there's a restroom at the trailhead.

Bear Lake Legacy Pathway is a paved, multi-use path built for walking, biking, and even horseback riding, part of a long-term plan for a 50-mile route circling the entire lake. The completed stretch runs about 4.8 miles from the Bear Lake State Park Marina through Garden City down toward Ideal Beach, following close to Bear Lake Blvd for most of its length. It's flat, wheelchair accessible, and a good option for an easy evening walk or bike ride rather than a workout.

Beyond these two, Logan Canyon itself holds a much larger network, often summarized as "hundreds of miles" between hiking and biking trails, for anyone looking to go further into the national forest on a return trip.

Hours and pricing

Both trails are free and open dawn to dusk year-round, though Limber Pine can be snow-covered outside the summer season (it's accessible by snowshoe or cross-country ski in winter for anyone equipped for it).

Location and parking

The Limber Pine trailhead is on the south side of Highway 89 near the Bear Lake Summit, about 30 miles into Logan Canyon from Logan, with a lot that holds roughly 8 to 10 vehicles, it fills up in summer, so a return visit or early arrival helps. The Legacy Pathway can be picked up at the Bear Lake State Park office (940 N Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City), or really anywhere it runs alongside Bear Lake Blvd through town.

Local tips

Limber Pine is one of the better stops on the drive in or out of Bear Lake rather than a dedicated trip, since it sits right on Highway 89 at the canyon summit. It's also a natural pairing with a raspberry shake stop once you're down in Garden City. The Legacy Pathway works well for an after-dinner walk since most of it runs close enough to the resort strip to start right from where you're staying.

FAQs

• How long is the Limber Pine Nature Trail? It's a 1.3-mile loop with about 300 feet of elevation gain, typically taking 45 minutes to an hour to complete.
• Is the Bear Lake Legacy Pathway good for biking? Yes, it's a paved, mostly flat multi-use path built for walking, biking, and horseback riding, running about 4.8 miles from the marina through Garden City.
• Are these trails good for young kids? Yes, both are rated easy to moderate with minimal elevation change, and Limber Pine's interpretive signs give kids something to do along the way.

Related: Horseback Riding Through Logan Canyon · ATV & UTV Mountain Trails · Outdoor Adventures & Scenic Trails · Bear Lake Vacation Rentals