Overlook of Bear Lake at sunset

Garden City

Bear Lake   |  Jeremiah Watt
  • Weather: Mostly Clear, 31F

At home on the shores of Bear Lake State Park. Garden City’s location at the end of the Logan Canyon Scenic Byway and on the shores of Bear Lake State Park makes it one of Northern Utah's best gateway towns. It is the perfect place to spend focused time with the beautiful scenery and enjoy a raspberry shake. 

Bear Lake is often called the Caribbean of the Rockies for its intense turquoise blue water. As visitors catch their first glimpse of the lake, they marvel at its color and wonder what makes the lake so blue. The unique color is due to the reflection of the limestone deposits suspended in the lake.

Each season lends its own characteristic to the lake. Year-round, enjoy a number of recreational and cultural activities. 

Highlights

Summer Highlights

In the warm-weather months, navigate your personal watercraft across 70,000 acres of turquoise water, or sail off into the sunset. Here, with all the space, it can seem as if you have the lake all to yourself, whether you prefer swimming, waterskiing, jet skiing, sailing, speed boating, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding (SUP), fishing, just dipping your toes in the water, or cycling in Logan Canyon or along the lake’s bike trail. Away from the lake, more than 100 miles of trails allow hikers, bikers and ATV fans to adventure to their hearts’ content. Read about the five best hikes in Bear Lake Valley

In the fall, don't miss driving the Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway (U.S. Route 89), named one of the top scenic byways for leaf peeping. In all seasons you can feel the excitement of a Bear Lake cutthroat on the end of your fishing line. Learn more about fishing at Bear Lake

Explore Bear Lake

Garden City in Winter

In the winter, experience the rush of snowmobiling on 350 miles of groomed trails and wide open play areas. Or Ski Beaver Mountain Resort and enjoy some of Utah's best powder. Ice fishing is a waiting game, but there’s nowhere more scenic to pass the wait than Bear Lake. Averages suggest that Bear Lake freezes over seven out of every 10 years. Learn more about fishing at Bear Lake

Always a hit, the Bear Lake Monster Winterfest (read the story) takes place at the Bear Lake State Park Marina, and the park's entrance fee at the Marina is waived. This is the place to fish in the Cisco Disco and take an icy dive as part of the Monster Polar Plunge.

Explore Beaver Mountain

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