Garden City is a lakeside vacation town with year-round amenities
Garden City is a small but lively town along Bear Lake, often called the “Caribbean of the Rockies” for its bright blue water. The town is known for its long summer days of lake recreation and its resort-like amenities, from popular businesses to seasonal festivals. Many homeowners move into their luxury homes for the season or lease out properties to tourists. While Garden City is considered the vacation spot in Utah, it’s also suited for year-round living. The daily pace slows in winter, but residents still have quick access to the outdoors, plus essential services and nearby employment hubs.
Summer recreation draws crowds to this Bear Lake hub
Every year, crowds flock to Garden City to spend their summer at Bear Lake. “If you say Bear Lake, people automatically think Garden City,” says Teri Eynon, Realtor with Real Estate of Bear Lake. “And it’s not your typical little lake. It’s 20 miles long and 8 miles wide, and there are spots that are over 200 feet deep.” With all that space, you can spend the whole day swimming, fishing, paddleboarding and waterskiing. Boating and wake surfing are such major pastimes that the city is doubling the size of its marina to accommodate the demand. Other popular summer activities include:
- Hiking, cycling and ATVing through the Bear Lake Valley mountains
- Ziplining, axe-throwing and mini golfing at Bear Lake Adventure Park
- Go-karting at Bear Lake Renegade Raceway
- Playing pickleball and attending events at Heritage Park
Even after the summer crowd leaves, people still get outdoors. Trails become snowmobiling paths, people go ice fishing and Beaver Mountain opens up for skiing and snowboarding.
Explore condos, vacation homes and million-dollar estates
Garden City has a strong year-round presence, but it's a total tourist town for half of the year. Most homes are marketed as vacation homes or second homes, and others are leased as short-term rentals. Condo and townhouse communities are very common, especially near the shoreline. Single-family homes come in all sizes and styles, from cozy bungalows and ranch-style homes to contemporary new construction. Custom estates feature unique details like log cabin siding, floor-to-ceiling windows, modern lines and wraparound balconies. Prices vary just as much. Most properties sell between the mid-$300,000s and the upper $900,000s, but luxury homes can reach into the millions.
What HOA fees and restrictions mean for homeowners
Many subdivisions have HOAs, which require monthly fees and annual dues. HOAs also often determine what people can do with their properties, from exterior changes to short-term renting. Eynon says Garden City already has strict rules around short-term rental licensing and zoning, but HOAs can have final say on whether short-term rentals are allowed.
Grab a bite to eat or a raspberry shake after a day on the lake
Garden City is one of Bear Lake’s major commercial hubs. “When you stop and think, you realize there’s no industry or major retailers here, but to have over 130 small businesses? That’s something,” Eynon says. The town has one main grocery store, Mike’s Market, and a full lineup of year-round and seasonal restaurants. Grab Mexican cuisine at Cafe Sabor, classic American fare at Bear Trapper Restaurant or a burger and fries at The Burger Barn.
Spots like LaBeau’s are go-tos for raspberry milkshakes. “We’re kind of famous for our raspberry shakes,” Eynon says. “Everybody comes to Garden City to get them.” The shakes are so popular, they’re even part of the town’s unofficial motto. “There’s a t-shirt company here that has sweaters and t-shirts here that say ‘Wake, Lake, Shake,’ and it’s a huge hit,” Eynon says. “You see people wearing them all the time because that’s what you do here. You wake up, you go to the lake and then you go get a shake!” Each August, Garden City hosts Bear Lake Raspberry Days, a three-day festival celebrating the region’s super sweet berries. Enjoy a craft fair, live concerts and other events while snacking on raspberry pies, pancakes and shakes.
Garden City is zoned for the Rich School District
Local students attend the highly rated Rich School District. It has two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school based in Laketown and Randolf.
Tourism drives the economy, but most jobs are in Logan
Garden City relies on tourism. Outside the summer season, there aren’t many major employers, so full-time residents either work remotely or commute to Logan. The city is about 40 miles away, or less than 1 hour, via Highway 89. Top employers include Utah State University and manufacturers like Icon Health & Fitness.
What to know about local utilities and broadband coverage
The town has easy access to everyday utilities and essential services. For example:
- Garden City’s public works department provides municipal water and snow removal services.
- Sewer service is through the Bear Lake Special Service District.
- Homes depend on propane gas.
- Rich County provides trash services.
- Fiber, wireless and satellite internet coverage are widely available.
