Major city · United States
Garden City, Utah
Garden City is a day trip or one-night stop for Bear Lake water sports and raspberry shakes. Drive from Salt Lake City (2.5 h) or Logan (1 h).
Garden City is a small town (pop. ~500) on the shore of Bear Lake, a turquoise lake straddling the Utah-Idaho border. It's a summer destination for boating, swimming, fishing, biking and hiking in the Wasatch Range. Most visitors stay 2–3 nights to enjoy the lake and nearby trails, with a day trip to Logan Canyon Scenic Byway or Minnetonka Cave.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- June–September
- avoid November–April (cold, many facilities closed)
- Airport
- SLC
- Nights
- 2–3
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Garden City, Utah911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Garden City, Utah, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyGarden City is very safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSLC Salt Lake City International (2.5 h drive; rental car required).
- Getting aroundCar required.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedCampsite (tent or RV), a night, per roomUS$30
- Mid-range bedCampsite (tent or RV), a night, per roomUS$50
- High-end bedCampsite (tent or RV), a night, per roomUS$80
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$80 · Mid US$150 · High US$300
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SLC Salt Lake City International (2.5 h drive; rental car required)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Feb
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Mar
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Apr
Avoid
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
May
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
Dec
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C) low), wettest May (10 rain days), driest Jul (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Garden City, Utah: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
8 rd
Feb
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
7 rd
Mar
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
Apr
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
May
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
10 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
6 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
6 rd
Sep
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
7 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
Nov
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
9 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Car required. Bike rentals available in town; many miles of trails. Parking at the state park and trailheads.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Logan Canyon Scenic Byway
goDoor to door: About 1 h to Logan
Drive US-89 south from Garden City
Scenic drive with hiking and overlooks; combine with a visit to Logan.
Minnetonka Cave
goDoor to door: About 45 min (check)
Drive US-89 north to Idaho, then follow signs
Guided tours of limestone cave; check seasonal hours.
Paris Ice Cave
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive US-89 north to Paris, Idaho, then dirt road
Requires high-clearance vehicle; check conditions.
Salt Lake City
overnightDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Drive US-89 south to Logan, then I-15 south
Too far for a day trip; plan an overnight.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Bear Lake Blvd / US-89 corridor
Most motels, cabins and campgrounds are along this road; walkable to the lake and restaurants.
Bear Lake State Park campgrounds
Primitive and RV sites; book ahead in summer.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $80–120 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–250 excl. bed
- High
- $300+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 2 nights × US$150 | US$300 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$150 | US$600 |
| Bear Lake State Park day-use fee2 × US$10 · check | US$20 |
| Boat rental (half day)1 × US$200 · check | US$200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$112 |
| Trip total≈ US$308 per person per day, bed included | US$1,232 |
2026 estimate in USD; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Raspberry shake (LaBeau's)check | $5–8 |
| Motel room, summer weekend | $120–250 |
| Campsite, state parkcheck | $30–50 |
| Gas (full tank from SLC) | $40–60 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer weekends are crowded; book lodging and boat rentals weeks ahead.
- No public transport; fill up gas in Logan or Brigham City.
- Bear Lake water temperature peaks at ~21°C (70°F) in August; still chilly for swimming.Bear Lake water temperature peaks at ~70°F (21°C) in August; still chilly for swimming.
- Area code is 435.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Garden City, UtahGarden City, Utah
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Garden City to Logan (by car): About 1 h, US-89 south
- Garden City to Salt Lake City (by car): About 2.5 h via US-89 and I-15
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Where is the bathroom? — Where is the bathroom? (where is the bathroom)
English is the primary language; Spanish is not widely spoken in this area.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Garden City, Utah. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: June–September · avoid November–April (cold, many facilities closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Garden City, Utah
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