The state park sits across the lake from St. Charles and is fifteen miles (24 km) south of Montpelier.

[4] Bear Lake National Wildlife Refuge lies adjacent to the park's north unit.

The state purchased land for the park in 1969 using funds supplied through the Recreation and Public Purposes Act.

Bear Lake owes its turquoise blue color to the presence of suspended calcium carbonate (limestone).

[2] The park's two units each have a beach over one mile (1.6 km) in length with gradually sloping lake bottom and large swimming area.