“Bear Lake South” presents the southern reaches of one of the Intermountain West’s most striking inland waters, drawn as a 1:24,000 United States Geological Survey topographic quadrangle. Originally created in 1969 and issued with a 1986 imprint, the map captures a landscape at the meeting point of recreation, ranchland, mountain terrain, and shoreline settlement. Bear Lake itself dominates the composition in clear blue, its broad surface contrasting with the carefully modeled landforms around it. The title is admirably direct, in the USGS tradition: a precise geographic statement rather than an ornament. Yet within that restraint lies considerable beauty, as contour lines, shore margins, access routes, and elevation markings create a richly legible portrait of the lake’s southern basin.

The United States Geological Survey was, by the twentieth century, the authoritative cartographic institution for mapping the American landscape in systematic detail. Its quadrangle maps became indispensable tools for engineers, land managers, hikers, geologists, developers, and local authorities, translating terrain into a standardized visual language. In “Bear Lake South,” that language is especially effective: contours describe the surrounding hillsides, flatter lakeside margins are immediately distinguishable, and water features stand out in vivid blue. The map reflects the USGS commitment to accuracy over embellishment, but its clarity gives it an understated elegance. Every line has purpose, from elevation intervals to roads and shorelines, producing a disciplined yet evocative image of the Utah side of Bear Lake.

Bear Lake has long been one of the defining natural features of northern Utah and southeastern Idaho, celebrated for its remarkable color, open water, and recreational appeal. On this southern sheet, the lake is not merely a scenic centerpiece but the organizing force of the landscape. Roads, access points, shoreline contours, and nearby elevations all relate to its presence. The terrain surrounding the water reveals a subtle contrast between broad, usable margins and rising ground beyond, suggesting why this area attracted both seasonal visitors and longer-term development. The map’s topographic detail makes visible the physical setting behind the lake’s reputation: a high-elevation basin shaped by geology, climate, and human movement along the shore.

The 1969 creation date places this map at an interesting moment in the modern history of Bear Lake. Across the American West, postwar recreation was expanding rapidly, automobile travel had made lakes and mountain destinations more accessible, and public agencies increasingly needed accurate maps for planning and resource management. By the 1986 imprint, many such landscapes were experiencing additional pressure from tourism, second homes, roads, campgrounds, and environmental concern. “Bear Lake South” therefore serves as a geographic record against which later change can be understood. Its mapped shorelines, routes, and contour-defined open spaces preserve a snapshot of the region before subsequent decades of development further reshaped patterns of use around the lake.

Cartographically, the charm of “Bear Lake South” lies in the tension between scientific precision and visual atmosphere. The blue of Bear Lake gives the sheet an immediate focal point, while the surrounding contour lines create a sculptural sense of relief, showing hillsides, benches, slopes, and flatter terrain without pictorial illustration. This is the classic beauty of USGS topography: a landscape rendered through measurement, yet still full of suggestion. For collectors, the map offers more than a depiction of a beloved Utah landmark; it embodies a particular era of federal mapping, outdoor recreation, and regional transformation. Its fine-grained detail invites close reading, rewarding the eye with both practical information and historical resonance.

Cities, towns and places on this map

• Bear Lake
• Various shorelines
• Surrounding hills and elevations
• Contour areas indicating elevation changes
• Potential access points and trails adjacent to the lake

Historical context & cartographic details

• Produced by the US Geological Survey (USGS), this historical 1:24,000 topographical map shows Bear Lake in Utah and the surrounding area.
• Originally created in 1969 and published with a 1986 imprint.
• The USGS is known for detailed and accurate topographic mapping across the United States, supporting land management, recreation, and research.
• Water bodies are shown in vibrant blue, while land features are detailed with contour lines indicating elevation changes.
• The contour lines illustrate the relief of the land, including hillsides and flatter areas surrounding the lake.
• Changes in land use and population density since 1969 may reflect shifts in recreation, development, and environmental concerns.

Looking for a particular place? Review the detailed images to confirm that the town, landmark or feature you have in mind appears on the map. If you are unsure, ask our workshop to check before you order.

Detailed maps are especially rewarding at larger sizes, where names, boundaries and decorative features have more room to be appreciated. Use the close-up preview and size guide to choose the right scale for your wall.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 50in (125cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x20in (40x50cm) version of this map.

Where personalisation is available, you can add a short title or dedication, mark one meaningful place, or request one considered visual detail. See personalised map examples.

Every piece is printed to museum-grade archival standards using fade-resistant pigment inks on acid-free matte paper. Choose an unframed map print, framed map or canvas using the finish options above. Framed maps use crystal-clear optical acrylic and arrive ready to hang.

With its rich detail and strong sense of place, this map makes a considered gift for a new home, anniversary, retirement or anyone with a personal connection to the area shown. Still deciding? Explore our collection of rare old and vintage maps to discover another place, period or style.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.