149 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Bear Lake puts Garden City on the map for campers who want water access on the Utah-Idaho border. Bear Lake State Park has developed sites on the Utah side with flush toilets and lake access. Reservations book out weeks in advance in summer. Garden City's dispersed sites cover primitive options on BLM and forest land away from the lake where no fees apply and no services are on-site.
For campers who want more forest dispersed options in the region, Logan is to the south. Logan-area dispersed camping covers Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest access points in Cache Valley, a solid fallback when Bear Lake sites are full during peak summer months.
"We have no cell service in the campground but you can walk to the road and get service if needed. Behind the bathrooms on the South side there is a little trail with a beautiful view of the lake."
"Sunrise Campground sites are immersed in trees to give you a surrounding cozy and comfortable feeling. Back in sites include a fire ring and sturdy picnic table..."
from $24 - $204 / night
Check Availability"We had wanted to camp at Bear Lake and there was 1 site left were we had wanted."
"Public outhouses are available. if you are up to walking a bit the ones near the day use area are cleaner and used less. Beautiful lake."
"Reviewed by: The Crew at Hitched4fun.com If you are searching for a destination park that can easily accommodate a large group, the Bear Lake/ Marina Side KOA Holiday in Garden City, Utah,"
"The store next to the entrance is amazingly well stocked with all you’d need. We stayed in an RV supersite that included a private hot tub and BBQ grill."
"While there are a lot of disbursed sites along the corridor, they were all completely filled due to a bike race happening at nearby Beaver Mountain."
"Amazing location especially because it’s close to bear lake! I heard it’s better in August, but if you camp way further down the mosquitos are absolutely miserable."
"Smaller than the Lake Side KOA in town, but guest have access to facilities at both locations. Really appreciated the quiet location."
"Everything is clean the roads to the mountains are around the corner and the lake is very close by as well! Good all around."
"We stayed about 5 miles outside of Bear Lake in the mountains past mile marker 492. Lots of campsites that are plenty private and have the capacity to hold a LOT of people each."
"Super lovely with easy access to the water. No showers at this campground, but I was able to get one in at the other campground. Would stay again!"
from $40 / night
Check Availability"Location is great to be close to the lake with full hook ups. The resort uses EVERY square inch so it feels very crowded."
"You can walk or drive to the beach that I think is exclusive to sun outdoors"
from $55 - $65 / night
Check Availability"Great area for lake access"
"If you want to camp at Bear Lake, this is a good spot. Electricity and water hookups are included at each campsite for those of you with RVs."
from $35 - $305 / night
Check Availability"It has one bathroom area, and was right next to the Logan River. I only marked it down for small camping areas for tenting sites right next to River but would’ve been just fine for Campers. "
"Fairly close to the road. Could use a little more upkeep and price is a little high."
from $24 / night
Check Availability"Deluxe RV sites offer more space and privacy while standard ones are in a loop next to tent sites. Wifi is OK, T-Mobile cell service is 1 bar even with booster. ATT is 3 bars."
"It was a great location and the lake is not far away. I recommend paying a little extra to get the deluxe sites to have more space. You also have to pay $5 extra per dog that you bring."
from $35 - $55 / night
TravelerAmazing place to camp right next to the river.
The entrance you go across the bridge. It looks low, but a 13.5 RV can make it under no problem. As you enter, it gets lower and all of a sudden you realize that you can make it under the trees over the bridge.
GuideJust off of I-15 in Plymouth is a hidden gem. For $60 you get full 50amp hookups, a huge dog run for the pups and awesome access to Hot Springs. At 102 degrees we swam in the furthest spring-pond next to the green shop inside the fenced area. Late afternoon and early morning we had the place to ourselves. It was awesome. Bring a floaty or vest as the sides are slick. Ponds have a nice dock with ladders.
GuideTravel through Fossil Butte, and up the hill, then drive a while and cross into BLM, then drive through some dirt roads, and up a hill and there you are… all alone. I love it. 8000 feet and 360 views. No amenities.
ScoutWhile there are a lot of disbursed sites along the corridor, they were all completely filled due to a bike race happening at nearby Beaver Mountain. We continued up and finally found a nice camp site just on the south side of Utah border but it turned out to be on private property. There’s a small stretch of a private property near the state line marked by a sign posted cattle grate. The property owner stopped by, he was super polite, but explained the boundaries and asked us to move along.
In many spots on the road on the way up there were wide open areas where a single camper had claimed a large area, even sites that could comfortably accommodate several rigs, so just a few things to watch out for.
ScoutLoved this spot. Only recommendation would be to make each spot to the parking a little more clear.
GuideThe first night of our two night reserved and prepaid campsite was in a different site for an rv. The camp host was drunk and gave our site away to another family that didn’t have a reservation. Since they were all set up, we were tossed into the only other available site left. That site was a no show so I guess we got “lucky.” I paid $8 extra just to reserve. Otherwise it’s $20 a night for a tent site. The host yelled at his son in front of us, too. He wasn’t a young child and was actually super nice and tried to help. It was so uncomfortable. The campground itself was not bad. A weird layout for a few sites. I would stay again if there was a new host. We were right next to the water. The second night we were able to move into our actual reservation. Then it rained and hailed. Funny how that seems to happen on the weekends. We survived. It definitely was an experience with the weather that time. lol there’s trails and a lot of trees surrounding. Really nice location.
TravelerA top tier RV stay, the sites are laid out with plenty of room for your RV plus your outdoor activities. All sites have a concrete pad and large grass area. There is a large dog park and a dog washing station. They have a pickle ball court and exercise room. Great place to stay.
TravelerEasily accessible spot off FR 006. Found shady, mostly level spot to park van right off the road. Peaceful location. Fire pit in the camp area. No amenities.
GuideWe camped here with our 4 boys on a Wednesday and Thursday night end of July. We almost had the place to ourselves!
Super family friendly! The kids loved the waterpark. The slides were a blast! Big water slides for our older boys, and a baby pool, splash pad and little kid water slide for the 3 year old.
The pool is on the warmer side, 90°-95°F. It can feel a bit warm on a hot day. But the kids never complained. Very budget friendly for the price. Tons of lifeguards, which was nice for added safety.
Pool has a cool history, and feels very vintage in a good way! Super charming.
We never did the hot soaking pools because it was too hot. But would be awesome in winter!
Trailer/rv sites D49-D57 seemed the best in the park. Tons of shade, and backed up to an open space for the most incredible sunsets!
Has a swing set, sandbox, basketball court and volleyball court for kids to play.
Flushing toilets in multiple spots, showers that you have to pay quarters to use. If you use the pool, free showers in the locker room.
Had a good amount of basic supplies in the main office. And a fun snack bar with ice cream, swirl cones, pizza, nuggets, burgers, etc.
The spots are pretty close together. We really lucked out and had the whole row to ourselves Wednesday night. Almost completely full on Thursday night. Felt way more cramped with all the extra trailers.
The kids absolutely loved it, and so did we! Would definitely do this trip again!
Camping near Garden City, Utah offers diverse options at elevations between 5,900-6,200 feet with shoreline and mountain camping opportunities. The area experiences warm summer days with temperatures typically ranging from 75-85°F and cooler nights dropping into the 50s. Many campgrounds operate seasonally with most sites closing by late September or mid-October due to colder weather conditions.
Fishing access points: The Sunrise Campground provides excellent proximity to fishing spots, with one visitor noting, "If you go exploring behind the East bathrooms you'll see a little creek." The trails aren't maintained but offer fishing opportunities for those willing to explore.
Hiking with views: Located west of Garden City, Sunrise Campground offers a short trail with spectacular vistas. A camper mentioned, "There is a very short trail in the back of the campsite between 2 bathrooms where you can see the sun rise over Bear Lake. I'd camp here just for that."
Dispersed camping adventures: For those seeking more remote camping near Garden City, Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping offers backcountry experiences. A reviewer shared, "If you keep driving for maybe 20-30min down the road there's even more beautiful spots, but it's pretty rocky so be careful if you don't trust your car/have low clearance."
Private camping spots: The South Eden Campground offers spacious sites with waterfront access. A visitor noted, "Our site is 11 and it is right off the beach and no campers are able to block our view. Again a awesome lake for kids because you can walk out in the lake pretty far before it gets deep."
Shade availability: Red Banks Campground provides welcome tree cover during hot summer days. According to a camper, "Me and my kids stay for only one night, but I was very impressed how clean the campground was. It has one bathroom area, and was right next to the Logan River."
Yurt accommodations: For those wanting a camping experience without tent setup, Sunrise Campground offers yurt options. One happy camper shared, "This was the first time that we stayed in a yurt, and it is a game changer. It is honestly so nice once in a while to not have to put up camp or break camp."
Campsite reservations: Most campgrounds fill quickly during peak season (June-August). At the Bear Lake/Trail Side KOA Journey, a visitor commented, "Smaller than the Lake Side KOA in town, but guest have access to facilities at both locations. Really appreciated the quiet location."
Beach conditions: Beach quality varies by location, with some areas having sandy shores while others are rockier. A visitor at Bear Lake State Park Campground remarked, "The beach is rocky with patches of sand. It's a good SUP spot."
Wind and weather: The Garden City area experiences sudden weather changes, especially wind. At Birch Campground, one camper observed, "It gets really windy from one moment to the next. The water is absolutely beautiful!"
Kid-friendly amenities: Bear Lake/Marina Side KOA Holiday offers numerous activities for children. A reviewer explained, "There is an amazing playground for kids, swimming pool, and jumping pillow. The area is stunningly beautiful and relaxed."
Water safety: Bear Lake's depth increases gradually, making it suitable for younger swimmers. A camper at South Eden Campground mentioned the lake is "awesome for kids because you can walk out in the lake pretty far before it gets deep."
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening wildlife sightings enhance family camping experiences. At South Eden Campground, one visitor reported, "Quiet lots of deer near the campsite #12. Very large space, picnic table."
Site selection: At Birch Campground, RVers should consider wind exposure when choosing sites. A visitor advised, "Birch CG has nice paved (mostly level) spots. Each site has a covered picnic table in a concrete pad."
Hookup availability: Most developed campgrounds offer varying hookup options. At Bear Lake State Park Campground, a reviewer confirmed, "The sites all have electricity (15, 30, and 50 amp) and water hook ups. The sites are huge and well maintained."
Road conditions: Access roads to dispersed camping can be challenging for larger rigs. At Franklin Basin Dispersed Camping, a visitor noted, "2wd friendly road for MILES. You can drive well into Idaho. You can drive for about 1.5 hours up in here and see amazing river meadow mountain views."
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there RV parks with full hookups in Garden City near Bear Lake?
Traveland RV Park offers level sites with great gravel pads and is conveniently located just off the highway behind a hotel, providing enough distance to minimize road noise. The park is well-maintained with quality hookups. Another option is Epic RV Park & Marina, which features direct lake access, though sites are close together without much privacy or tree cover. For those wanting additional amenities, Bear Lake/Trail Side KOA Journey provides a quieter alternative to the busier lakeside KOA, while still offering guest access to facilities at both locations. Most RV parks in the Garden City area are seasonal, operating primarily from late spring through early fall when Bear Lake is most accessible.
What are the best campgrounds in Garden City, Utah for families?
Garden City offers several family-friendly campgrounds with varying amenities. Bear Lake State Park Campground provides simple sites close to the lake with bathroom facilities, making it ideal for families wanting water access. For a unique luxury camping experience, Conestoga Ranch offers families the chance to stay in covered wagons or luxury tents, giving a special touch to your Bear Lake adventure. Other family options include Bear Lake/Marina Side KOA Holiday with amenities like restrooms, water access, and reservable sites that accommodate families looking for predictable accommodations with amenities children enjoy. Most family-friendly sites in the area fill quickly during summer months, so advance reservations are strongly recommended.
What tent camping options are available near Bear Lake in Garden City?
Tent campers have several options near Garden City. Sunrise Campground is located about 10 minutes west of Garden City with spacious, wooded sites offering good shade. Each site includes picnic tables and fire rings, though there are no hookups or dump stations. Lodge Campground provides a more rustic experience with numerous boondocking sites but requires driving on dirt roads, so vehicles with decent ground clearance are recommended. For those willing to venture a bit further, the Rendezvous Beach area of Bear Lake State Park offers tent sites with lake access. Dispersed camping is also available in nearby canyons, though these areas have minimal facilities and may require more self-sufficiency.
What activities can I enjoy while camping in Garden City, Utah?
Garden City camping offers abundant recreation centered around beautiful Bear Lake. Water activities dominate summer months with swimming, fishing, boating, and jet skiing available at various access points. Willows Campground serves as a great base for exploring nearby Causey Reservoir for additional water recreation. Hiking enthusiasts can explore numerous trails in the surrounding mountains, while wildlife viewing opportunities abound throughout the area. For a change of scenery, Beaver Creek offers a more isolated experience with stunning natural surroundings. Garden City itself is famous for its raspberry shakes, local restaurants, and seasonal festivals. When temperatures cool, the area transforms with fall foliage viewing and, in winter, nearby snowmobiling and cross-country skiing opportunities.
Keep Exploring
