The Legend Of The Bear Lake Monster In Utah May Send Chills Down Your Spine
By Courtnie Erickson|Published December 09, 2021
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Courtnie Erickson
Author
From Southern Utah to the Panhandle in Idaho, Courtnie Erickson has lived in what she believes are the best (and the most beautiful!) areas in the country. She graduated with a journalism degree from Utah State University and has more than 15 years of professional writing experience. You’ll likely see her with a Dr. Pepper in her hand and a pair of running shoes on her feet. Courtnie is a writer and editor at OnlyInYourState.
Bear Lake, located on the Utah and Idaho state line, is a popular outdoor destination that attracts thousands of individuals every single year. With its blue waters, sandy beaches, and large size, it’s an excellent vacation getaway in Utah. However, despite all of the fun you can have on its surface, what lies beneath may give you the chills. The legend of the Bear Lake Monster in Utah is one of the most well-known legends in the Beehive State and also one of the scariest.
Bear Lake State Park is one of the most popular state parks in northern Utah. It is the second-largest fresh-water lake in Utah and is an astonishing 20 miles long and 8 miles wide.
During the summer, Bear Lake attracts individuals of all ages and with a variety of interests. This is a popular place for swimming, boating, scuba diving, camping, and fishing. In the winter, you’ll often see snowmobilers and ice fishermen on its frozen water.
It is believed that Bear Lake is more than 28,000 years old and was created by earthquakes. However, this isn’t the history and the stories that typically attract individuals. Legends say that Bear Lake is home to the terrifying Bear Lake Monster.
The Native Americans believed that this serpent-like creature carried away many of their brave warriors. Due to their fear of the monster, they would not swim or bathe in the lake. They would not even sleep near its shores. The story of the Bear Lake Monster became more well-known in 1868 when an article by Joseph C. Rich was published in a popular Utah newspaper.
In the article, Rich says that it isn’t only the Native Americans who have seen evidence of the Bear Lake Monster in Utah. He said many settlers claim to have seen this monster surface and swim through the water faster than any horse.
Those who claim to have seen this strange animal describe it as boasting a large, brown body that is anywhere between 40 to 200 feet long. They say its ears are in bunches, eyes are spread far apart, and it has multiple legs that are at least 18-inches long.
While it has been several decades since the published newspaper article, many individuals still claim to see the Bear Lake Monster in Utah. However, whether the monster is truly swimming in the lake or it's a legend is still a mystery.
What do you think? Do you believe the legend of the Bear Lake Monster in Utah? Have you heard of any other legends in Utah? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
If you want to learn even more about the beautiful Bear Lake and many of its amenities, check out this article.
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