Activities & Recreation
1. Two-hour Mini-Trek with Interactive Program and Pioneer Round Dance
Modern-day pioneers (you) decked in a bonnet or hat of the times, pull handcarts to 20 campsites where you learn interesting pioneer history and re-enact actual pioneer experiences (for example: getting caught in a cloudburst, scrubbing clothing on a wash board, using body language to negotiate with Native Americans for buffalo jerky, shaking cream into butter along the way, and enjoying your butter on cornbread when you reach Zion). Bring a water bottle, and wear shoes (not sandals). Personal pioneer attire is welcome! This is great trek prep for youth and fun for families.
Children 5 and under are free. $10 per person includes program, dance and mini-trek. Minimum of 30 participants.
At least Six Weeks Advanced Reservations required. Email Cailey at bearlakeheritage@gmail.com.
Costume rental available for $1 per item:
Men: shirt, hat, suspenders or vest
Women: skirt, blouse, apron, bonnet, shawl
Girls: skirt, blouse, bonnet, apron, shawl
Boys: shirt, pants, cap, vest
2. One Hour Interactive Program and Pioneer Dance (without Mini-trek)
(See photo of dancing in the slideshow above)
Volunteer audience members dressed in our costumes participate in the program (no memorized lines).
Round dance allows everyone to dance with everyone.
$5 per person with minimum of 30.
At least Six Weeks Advanced Reservations required. Email Cailey at bearlakeheritage@gmail.com.
Modern-day pioneers (you) decked in a bonnet or hat of the times, pull handcarts to 20 campsites where you learn interesting pioneer history and re-enact actual pioneer experiences (for example: getting caught in a cloudburst, scrubbing clothing on a wash board, using body language to negotiate with Native Americans for buffalo jerky, shaking cream into butter along the way, and enjoying your butter on cornbread when you reach Zion). Bring a water bottle, and wear shoes (not sandals). Personal pioneer attire is welcome! This is great trek prep for youth and fun for families.
Children 5 and under are free. $10 per person includes program, dance and mini-trek. Minimum of 30 participants.
At least Six Weeks Advanced Reservations required. Email Cailey at bearlakeheritage@gmail.com.
Costume rental available for $1 per item:
Men: shirt, hat, suspenders or vest
Women: skirt, blouse, apron, bonnet, shawl
Girls: skirt, blouse, bonnet, apron, shawl
Boys: shirt, pants, cap, vest
2. One Hour Interactive Program and Pioneer Dance (without Mini-trek)
(See photo of dancing in the slideshow above)
Volunteer audience members dressed in our costumes participate in the program (no memorized lines).
Round dance allows everyone to dance with everyone.
$5 per person with minimum of 30.
At least Six Weeks Advanced Reservations required. Email Cailey at bearlakeheritage@gmail.com.
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3. Sleight Cabin Social
Decked out in dressy costumes from the mid 1800s, venture over to Thomas Sleight’s 1863 cabin (adjacent to the Loft) and photograph your group with your phones/cameras. Then socialize for 45 minutes through round dancing and doing the Virginia Reel. Instruction and music provided for $45. Dressy Costumes available for $1 per item (different from trek clothing) Men: Bring your own long-sleeved white shirt. At least Six Weeks Advanced notice required. Email Cailey at bearlakeheritage@gmail.com |
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4. Pioneer Games (About one hour, or more)
Supplies and instructions provided for: gunny sack race, relic scavenger hunt (in grassy area behind Loft or Homestead) preceded by an educational game prep activity. Other games include three-legged race, egg (or water balloon) toss, egg-in-a spoon race, jump rope competition. Also, learn a pioneer round dance with lively music (instructor provided).
Group price $70, or $40 without the dance.
Advanced reservations required. Email Cailey at bearlakeheritage@gmail.com.
5. Group Photos in Pioneer Clothing
We provide the pioneer clothing and authentic 1863 cabin adjacent to the Loft and Homestead. Costume rental: $1 per item as listed in #1 above. Use your own phones/cameras and photographers.
Advanced reservations required. Email Cailey at bearlakeheritage@gmail.com.
Supplies and instructions provided for: gunny sack race, relic scavenger hunt (in grassy area behind Loft or Homestead) preceded by an educational game prep activity. Other games include three-legged race, egg (or water balloon) toss, egg-in-a spoon race, jump rope competition. Also, learn a pioneer round dance with lively music (instructor provided).
Group price $70, or $40 without the dance.
Advanced reservations required. Email Cailey at bearlakeheritage@gmail.com.
5. Group Photos in Pioneer Clothing
We provide the pioneer clothing and authentic 1863 cabin adjacent to the Loft and Homestead. Costume rental: $1 per item as listed in #1 above. Use your own phones/cameras and photographers.
Advanced reservations required. Email Cailey at bearlakeheritage@gmail.com.
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6. Tour of Historic Paris Tabernacle – One block North of the Loft/Homestead, in the center of Paris.
Free of charge. Guided Tours 9:30 – 5:30. |
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7. Paris City Park – 2nd North and 3rd East
Campfire pit, barbecue grills, pavilion with picnic tables, fenced playground, restrooms.
To reserve, call 208-945-2253 during office hours Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8:00 – 5:00.
8. Church Services – at Stake Center adjacent to Homestead. For meeting times call Cailey 702-219-0687.
Campfire pit, barbecue grills, pavilion with picnic tables, fenced playground, restrooms.
To reserve, call 208-945-2253 during office hours Monday, Wednesday & Friday 8:00 – 5:00.
8. Church Services – at Stake Center adjacent to Homestead. For meeting times call Cailey 702-219-0687.
Bear Lake Area Recreation
- Minnetonka Cave
90-minute spiritual tours offered only at 9:00 am, 9:30 am, 5:50 pm, and 6:10 pm are highly rated by youth group leaders. Spiritual tours can also be given in the middle of the day for groups of 30 or more. Make reservations for spiritual tours several months in advance, beginning March 1st, by calling or texting Dellene at 208-540-0266.
Regular tours can only be reserved by driving to the Cave on the desired day and purchasing the tickets.
Bring jackets, as the temperature inside the cave is 40 degrees! There are 444 stairs. Children under 6 are free, ages 6-15 are $6, adults are $8. Family pass is $32. Reduced rates for groups of 15 or more. Public tours 10:00-5:30.
Turnoff to the cave is 7 minutes South of Paris on Highway 89. Watch for a large sign to Minnetonka Cave, then go West (right) 9 miles. (About 40 minutes from Paris). - Bear Lake North Beach
Swimmers will enjoy a 2-mile-long beach. The gradual slope of the lake bottom provides an enormous swimming area (safer for children), and great sand for sand castles. Ramps are available for boaters. $7 per car for Idaho plates and $14 per for all others.
Go South on Highway 89 for 7 minutes from Paris, then turn East (left) at the Bear Lake North Shore sign and go five miles to the entrance. - Paris Springs - Watch water gush out of the ground; see moss growing on rocks, and fallen trees.
Park near Paris Springs Campground, then hike along the trail about 100 yards to the spring.
In Paris Canyon: 10 miles West from Highway 89 on 2nd South (Paris Canyon Road). - Bloomington Lake – For high-clearance vehicles only – roads are rough. Take a scenic 90-minute hike around Bloomington Lake. $5 per vehicle.
In Bloomington Canyon: Turnoff is five minutes South of Paris on Highway 89. Turn west (right) onto Canyon Road when you see the Post Office on the right, and a big red barn on the left after turning. Go 10 miles. - Horse-drawn Wagon Rides – 45 minute ride around St. Charles. Well-behaved children may hold the reins.
$75 per group. Call Bob Miskin at (208) 540-1491.
- National Oregon/California Trail Center (320 North 4th St., Montpelier)
Step into the days of the Oregon Trail by taking a simulated Wagon Trail Adventure. Your group will become members of a simulated wagon train headed west and be guided by a live cast of pioneers whose dialogue and stories will make the adventure come alive! Find hours and price on their website.
Bear Lake Convention and Visitor Bureau - Bear Lake Lodging, Events, Recreation and Attractions
Southeast Idaho Vacation Guide - Hotels, Lodging, Camping, Recreation, Fishing, Snowmobiling
Bear River Heritage Area - Enjoy the scenery & History on your way to Bear Lake.
Pioneer Historic Byway in the Southeast Idaho - Travel the trails of the early Mormon Pioneers.
Local websites