Encounter Atlas

Creature index / Lake and sea monsters

Bear Lake Monster

Also called Bear Lake serpent

A serpent of Bear Lake that started with an 1868 newspaper story.

In 1868 Joseph C. Rich wrote for the Deseret News about a huge, serpent-like animal in Bear Lake, citing several local witnesses. In 1884 he admitted it had been a tall tale, but sightings kept coming.

Today the monster is a friendly local mascot, with a boat-shaped monster offering lake tours in summer.

What witnesses report

  • Serpent body with small legs
  • Ears like a cow's

Famous cases

  1. 1868Deseret News articles
    Bear Lake, Utah

Seen the Bear Lake Monster?

Tell us what happened. Every report is read by a person before it goes on the map, and you can stay anonymous.

Report a Bear Lake Monster encounter Not sure what it was?

Related

Loch Ness Monsteraka Nessie, NiseagScotland's long-necked lake monster, the world's most famous cryptid.Flathead Lake Monsteraka FlessieMontana's eel-like lake creature, seen by over 100 people since 1889.Tahoe Tessieaka Tessie, Lake Tahoe monsterThe cold, very deep lake on the California-Nevada line has its own Nessie.White River Monsteraka Whitey, Arkansas river monsterA grey, boxcar-sized river monster so beloved Arkansas gave it a legal refuge.Beast of Buscoaka Oscar the turtle, Busco turtleA 500-pound snapping turtle that set off a lake-draining hunt in 1949.