Sprawling across both sides of the Utah-Idaho border lies the beautiful Bear Lake. This natural freshwater lake is often called the “Caribbean of the Rockies” due to the striking turquoise-blue color of the water. Such stunning scenery is the perfect backdrop for some of Utah’s best outdoor recreation and fun activities for kids!
Whether you’re sipping a raspberry shake on a hot summer’s day, exploring the lake for the first time on jet skis, or building sand castles together on the beach, Bear Lake, Utah, is where precious summer memories are made. Here are 9 of the best things to do with kids at Bear Lake, Utah.
Family Activities at Bear Lake, Utah
1. Spend a Day at the Beach
Bear Lake’s Beaches are as picturesque as they are fun for the whole family. You’ll find Bear Lake beaches in both Utah and Idaho, but the two best beaches in the area are Rendezvous Beach and North Beach State Park. Rendezvous Beach is on the Southernmost side of Bear Lake State Park and features day-time concessions, equipment rentals, and campgrounds right on the water. North Lake Beach is a two-mile-long stretch of beach on the Idaho side and has the biggest swimming area in Utah! The whole family will love splashing in the water and relaxing in innertubes. Just don’t tell the kids the legend of the Bear Lake Monster, or you’ll never get them in the water!
2. Explore Garden City
Garden City is at the epicenter of all things Bear Lake. But don’t let this quaint little lake-side town fool you. Garden City has enough family-friendly activities to keep you busy for days. Dining, shopping, and superb local restaurants make up Garden City’s charming downtown. Be sure to check out some of the city’s hidden gems, such as LaBeau’s restaurant on Bear Lake Blvd – creators of the town’s famous raspberry shakes!
3. Visit Garden City Park
Kids of all ages will love Garden City Park, with its large play structure and sandy beach right along the lake. Spend the day making the perfect sandcastle, playing basketball, or wandering along the beach-adjacent boardwalk. The whole family will love learning about the wetlands as you walk the 1/4 mile boardwalk and end up at one of Bear Lake’s rental shacks. There, you can rent paddleboards or kayaks to keep the fun going all day long.
4. Try a New Water Sport
When it comes to winter sports at Bear Lake, if you can dream it, you can do it. Whether you want to explore the lake with a friend in a tandem Kayak or fish the day away in a rented boat, It’s easy to find equipment rentals for everything you might need. This includes boats, water skis, jet skis, life jackets, wakeboards, and even water trampolines! Certain Bear Lake rental places have locations right on the water, so you don’t have to transport any equipment. You can research water sports rentals and stores here.
5. Go Horseback Riding
Horseback Riding is one of the most popular activities for families in Bear Lake. Whether you’re looking for a quick 1-hour trot along the river or a wild west experience that lasts all day, you’ll find kid-friendly excursions with trained professionals and mild-mannered horses. Check out Bear Lake Horseback Rides for some real Western-style fun.
6. Take a Hike
You’ll find some legendary hikes around Bear Lake that are exciting yet easy enough for kids. Check out Limber Pine Trail – a mellow nature walk that’s only 1.5 miles round trip. Or take a walk through history along Sink Hollow – a 9-mile hike that’s part of the historic Great Western Trail of America.
Just a 20-minute drive north of Garden City is Bloomington Lake, which also features very easy kid-friendly hikes with fantastic scenery. Visit the official Bear Lake site to find a list of hiking and biking trails in both Utah and Idaho.
7. Go Mountain Biking
From exciting double-track combos through the stage park to paved, family-friendly bike trails along the water, Bear Lake mountain biking is a great way for visitors of all ages and levels to see the sights and have a blast. There are miles of mountain biking trails that are pretty easy to access and plenty of places around Garden City and the Northshore to rent mountain bikes for the day. Find a full list of Mountain Biking trails here.
8. Go Camping
Imagine sitting in your tent listening to the waves gently lap the shoreline. Or watching the sunset over the water as you roast marshmallows by the fire. Camping in Bear Lake promises memorable moments your family will cherish for years to come. There are over 500 developed campsites around the lake, ranging from very remote to community glamping. Many offer hook-up sites or tent sites, and you’ll even find a few with electricity, running water, or showers. If glamping is more your style, check out Conestoga Ranch, which has been named the #1 glamping destination in America. Or head to the KOA near Bear Lake State Park Marina, which features a mini golf course and an inflatable trampoline the kids will love.
9. Drive Along Logan Canyon
Logan Canyon is the stretch of I-89 between Logan and Garden City. This legendary byway promises spectacular sites and picturesque views of Bear Lake around every corner. Vertical limestone walls with inlaid fossils line the highway as you enter the canyon, and then everything opens up to the lush green views below. Consider taking a family drive here during early autumn so you can experience the seemingly endless flora of bright gold, red, and yellow.
Stay with Bear Lake Premiere Cabins
Whether you’re planning a big family reunion or a memorable getaway for four, Bear Lake has a wide range of activities made just for kids. Begin planning your vacation getaway by booking with Bear Lake Premier Cabins today – we’ve got large cabins for big groups, quaint cottages on the lake, and much more.
