Garden City, UT

Garden City sits right on the western shore of Bear Lake, just south of the Idaho border. With around 600 year-round residents, it has the feel of a quiet mountain town that buzzes with energy every summer. The lake’s famous turquoise water is a constant backdrop, whether you are launching a boat from the local marina or spending an afternoon on the beach. When you need bigger grocery runs or city services, Logan is about a 45-minute scenic drive west through Logan Canyon.

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Community life here revolves around the outdoors and local traditions, especially the famous fresh raspberry shakes and the annual Raspberry Days festival each August. Summers are packed with boating, lakeside dining, and vacation crowds, while winters slow down to a peaceful pace with snowmobiling in the surrounding hills and skiing at nearby Beaver Mountain. For newcomers, it offers a small-town lifestyle where neighbors know each other and recreation starts right outside your front door.