Why Fish Haven appeals to seasonal vacationers and remote workers
Along the Idaho-Utah border, Fish Haven is a place where outdoor recreation shapes the rhythm of daily life. The area shifts personality by season: summer brings crowds of people to the Bear Lake shoreline, while winter is quiet and snowy like a remote mountain town. But the community’s luxury homes are surrounded by towering mountain peaks and aqua blue waters year-round, so there is never a shortage of things to do. The community may be rural, but basic services are well established, and strong internet access has made remote work a viable option. For those who don’t mind winter snow, Fish Haven is just as strong an option for full-time residency as a short vacation.
Outdoor fun takes center stage in this lake and mountain community
Recreation is the name of the game in Fish Haven. Throughout the year, but especially in summer, there are almost endless things to do outdoors. “We spend just as much time up in the mountains as we do at the lake,” says Teri Eynon, longtime resident and Realtor with Real Estate of Bear Lake. “I mean, there’s just recreation galore. If you want to be an outdoor, active person, it’s just heaven here.” Favorite activities include:
- Swimming, fishing, boating and waterskiing on Bear Lake
- Hiking, biking and ATVing through Bear Lake Valley
- Skiing the slopes at Beaver Mountain Ski Area
- Hitting the fairways at Bear Lake West Golf Course
Snowmobiling is another major pastime. In Bear Lake Valley, there are hundreds of miles of groomed trails just for snowmobiling. “Once you get up in the mountains, you can just snowmobile for days,” Eynon says.
Vacation homes and luxury builds dominate the housing market
Most homes in the area are vacation homes, second houses or short-term rentals. Architectural styles are impressive, as you can find hundreds of luxury mountain cabins, elaborate lakeside estates and contemporary-style new builds here. Open lots for custom construction are also available. Many properties have around a half-acre of land, while others have well over an acre. Scenic vistas of both the mountains and Bear Lake are the norm.
Most of Fish Haven’s lavish homes sell at premium prices, especially along the Bear Lake shoreline. Homes also rarely go on the market, as people tend to keep their properties for years, even generations. The area’s median sale price is around $1.2 million, and some homes are subject to monthly HOA fees.
Long, snowy winters follow the area’s busy summer season
Tourism spikes in the warmer months and quickly fizzles out after summer ends. “We are definitely a summer vacation area,” Eynon says. Some people stay until late fall for cooler hiking conditions and hunting season, but the winter really gets quiet. The months grow long and cold, but most people don’t mind when the snow starts to pile high. “In a typical winter, I have about two feet of snow in my front yard, and I love it,” Eynon says. “And we’re well-equipped for it. The state and the county have all the roads cleared before the school buses come to pick up the kids.” Regardless of how well plowed the roads are, it’s a good idea to have all-wheel drive cars for winter.
What to know about local utilities and expanding broadband coverage
Since Fish Haven is an unincorporated community, people get their utilities from many providers:
- Most homes use private wells or community water systems. Seasonal properties often shut off their water in winter.
- Rocky Mountain Power provides electricity. Many homes also have emergency generators.
- Companies like Bear Lake Propane deliver propane gas to homes.
- The Fish Haven Area Recreational Sewer District serves the area, but some homes have private septic tanks.
- Bear Lake County provides weekly trash collection.
Cell service is usually reliable but can be spotty in the mountains or other remote areas. Homes have strong broadband coverage, with fiber, cable, wireless and satellite options.
Commute to Montpelier or work remotely in Fish Haven
Highway 89 is a lifeline for commuting. It connects to Montpelier, which offers jobs in healthcare, education, agriculture and mining. The highway also crosses the border into Utah, leading to Garden City, which has many popular restaurants and shops. People work in Fish Haven, too. The service, hospitality and tourism industries surrounding Bear Lake are major seasonal employers. “Also, the majority of people are working remote,” Eynon says. “We have a lot of tech people who live here full-time. They can have all the recreation and outdoor play, while Starlink and our fiber internet make it so easy to work remotely.”
