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When the dog days of summer roll in and the scent of fresh raspberries fill the air, there’s no better place to be than Garden City in Bear Lake. 

In addition to luxurious cabin rentals and refreshing waters, Bear Lake is also home to the annual summer celebration known as the Bear Lake Raspberry Days festival.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Bear Lake Raspberry Days as a first-timer.  

About Bear Lake Raspberry Days

• Location: Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, Utah
• Website: gardencityut.us/raspberrydays
• When: Every August

Bear Lake’s annual Raspberry Days is a three-day festival held during the first full weekend of August. The Raspberry Days festival celebrates not just the sweet, delicious raspberry that the region is known for but also symbolizes the community’s pride and unity and offers an opportunity for the whole community to come together. 

Thanks to the fertile soil, elevation, and unique microclimate of Bear Lake, the Bear Lake region hosts the perfect conditions for raspberries to grow. The raspberry has been an essential element to the region’s economy for generations. To this day, the raspberry holds a special place in the heart of the Bear Lake community.

Today, the celebration of the raspberry in Bear Lake is a fun, family-friendly event that includes concerts, contests, and many other events that thousands flock to every year to partake in. For the most part, the festival takes place in Garden City, although the rodeo takes place in Laketown.

Raspberry Days 2023: What to Expect

The Raspberry Days Festival 2023 will include the same fun-filled atmosphere of previous years, with a few fun additions. The exact schedule of the Raspberry Days 2023 festival has yet to be released, but it will be released by July of 2023, so you can plan your weekend. 

We do know that the festival takes place August 3rd-5th, 2023, and most of the Bear Lake Raspberry Days festivities take place at Heritage Park in the town of Garden City.

Bear Lake Raspberry Days Activities

Highlights of the annual event typically include a rodeo, a 5k fun run, a parade, a firework show, a variety of live performances, and of course, plenty of delicious raspberry-infused food and drinks. Stalls lining the streets overflow with everything raspberry – jams, pies, shakes, you name it. Vendors sell locally crafted goods and artwork, making for perfect souvenirs. You don’t want to miss it.

Here are the specific Bear Lake Raspberry Days Activities you have to look forward to!

The Main Festival and Fair

One of the most popular events of Raspberry Days is the Fair, which takes place at Heritage Park in Garden City.

The fair has games and rides for kids, booths of vendors selling both food and crafts, live music, and other fun events. 

While you’re at the fair, be sure to grab a raspberry shake to sip on to really get into the Raspberry Days spirit.

The Raspberry Days Parade

One of the biggest draws of Raspberry Days is the vibrant parade that weaves its way down Main Street in Garden City. Participants of all ages put on a delightful show with colorful costumes, floats, antique cars, and performances. 

Each year, the parade has a fun, new theme, which keeps it fresh and new for repeat Raspberry Days attendees. 

Annual Pie Eating Contest

For anyone who really loves raspberries, you can check out the raspberry pie eating contest. Contestants race to finish their pie, spectators receive a special tee shirt with their entry fees, and winners of the pie-eating contest receive prizes. 

The Raspberry Days pie eating contest never fails to amuse the crowd, and if you really love raspberries, you can even enter the contest yourself.

Concerts

The Raspberry Days festival is anything but quiet. Throughout the entirety of the weekend, there are live concerts performing all day long. 

Rodeo in Laketown

In true Western style, the Bear Lake Raspberry Days festival features a rodeo in Laketown. Cowboys and cowgirls showcase their skills in various events, adding a dash of adrenaline and culture to the Raspberry Days. 

The Laketown Rodeo features broncos, bulls, and roping from expert rides. The rodeo also features calf and goat chasing for the kids and mutton bustin’.

5K Fun Run

If you’re someone who loves to stay active even while on vacation, you won’t regret participating in the Bear Lake Raspberry Days 5k fun run. Participants run, jog, or walk through the scenic surroundings of Bear Lake, turning the competition into a celebration of nature and health. If you love this lake and a fun run, return in June when the beloved Bear Lake Trifecta happens, traversing three states around the lake! 

Zumba

Another way to incorporate fun and exercise into the Raspberry Days festival is to participate in the free Zumba classes! You’ll move, dance, and exercise to the beat with the crowds at the festival under the instruction of an experienced Zumba instructor. 

Bingo

Feeling lucky? Relive the simple joy of a classic game of Bingo at Raspberry Days. Bingo during the Raspberry Days is a crowd favorite, and there are several prizes available for winners. Bingo games occur throughout the festival, so you’ll have a few different chances to join in on the fun.

Golf Scramble

The Bear Lake Raspberry Days festival puts a fun twist on traditional golfing with their famous Golf Scramble. 

The Golf Scramble includes teams of 4, a shotgun start, a breakfast, 18 holes, and various prizes for contestants and winners. 

The Golf Scramble takes place at the Bear Lake West Golf Course, about 4 miles north of Garden City.

Boat Light Parade and Fireworks

At the end of the Raspberry Days festival, the Bear Lake Yacht Club puts on the boat light parade, which features a parade of boats adorned with lights gliding from Blue Water Beach to the Bear Lake State Park Marina. 

The boat light parade and festival conclude with a grand fireworks display lighting up the night sky, a fitting end to the celebration of raspberries, community, and summer fun. The best place to watch the firework show is Heritage Park. 

Tips for First-Time Visitors

Don’t Miss the Parade

The parade is one of the most fun and engaging parts of the Bear Lake Raspberry Days, and is not to be missed. It usually kicks off the first evening of the festival. 

Bring Cash

The Raspberry Days festival is a cash-friendly event, and some of the stalls and food vendors may not take cards. You’ll especially need to bring cash if you want to go to the rodeo in Laketown. 

Enjoy the Bear Lake Raspberry Days Festival

The Raspberry Days Festival perfectly encapsulates the beauty of summer, the Bear Lake community, and of course, tart, delicious raspberries. 

When you rent a vacation home in Bear Lake, you’re in the perfect place to attend all of the Bear Lake Raspberry Days festivities, make some sweet summer memories, and enjoy the beauty of the lakeshore!

Featured Image Credit: Alena Haurylik

Bear Lake is quite simply a mountain biker’s paradise. This incredible area is famous for its stunning blue lake that straddles the line between Utah and Idaho, but it is also well-known for its copious biking opportunities for various skill levels.

Whether you want to zoom around the lake on water skis, relax in your rental home while enjoying peaceful views, or bike along steep mountain trails, Bear Lake is perfect for you. This 109 square-mile lake is surrounded by incredible trail systems that are perfect for getting some mountain biking during your stay at a Bear Lake Luxury rental.

This region is ideal for summertime activities, including its expansive trail options for mountain biking. Offering high-mileage road routes, family-friendly paths, steep and challenging mountain trails, and everything in between, there is something for all levels of bikers in Bear Lake. 

Here is your guide to mountain biking around Bear Lake!

Mountain Biking Trails Around Bear Lake

Bear Lake and its surroundings are amazing for bike enthusiasts. From casual, paved rides through town to exhilarating single-track routes and jump trails through forests, canyons, and even beaches, there is something for every rider. 

If you don’t have your own bike and equipment or simply don’t feel like hauling them along on your vacation, there are multiple outfitters in the region where you can rent bikes, helmets, and other gear for the day. They’re also extremely knowledgeable and can give you the inside scoop on the Bear Lake trail systems.

Bear Trail

For a casual ride suitable for the whole family, check out the 4.5-mile paved Bear Trail. This easy ride follows the Bear Lake shores and provides unforgettable views. As you pass through Garden City, stop for a famous raspberry shake at the charming Hometown Drive In. 

The trail begins at Ideal Beach or Harbor Village and is a point-to-point route. Free parking is available on either end of the route. 

The Bear Lake Road Biking Path

Consider the Bear Lake Road Biking Path around Bear Lake for a more challenging road bike route with unbeatable views. Start this 52-mile route in Garden City and enjoy incredible views of Bear Lake as you bike past Meadowville and St. Charles.

The high mileage may be intimidating, but the route is only moderately challenging as it is generally flat with a few rolling hills. There are plenty of places to stop along the way for snacks, drinks, the restroom, or even a leisurely meal. Locals recommended riding this loop clockwise for the ideal views of Bear Lake. 

Hodges Canyon Trail #28

Hodges Canyon Trail #28 is a fantastic option for a fun and fast downhill ride! This 6-mile trail starts at the Upper Hodges Canyon parking area and winds downhill on a dirt road toward Bear Lake. You can pick up quite a bit of speed on this ride, making it a lot of fun for intermediate to experienced riders. 

It is generally recommended that you run a shuttle for this route, leaving one car parked at the bottom and taking another to the top parking area. If you only have one car, start at the bottom so you can end your ride on the fun downhill. 

Bear Lake Summit to Meadowville Trail

Enjoy the unique terrain on this 15.5-mile point-to-point trail. You will bike through mixed conifer forests and through a unique area of depressions in the ground known as the Sinks. 

Start your ride at the Bear Lake Summit for an easier downhill ride, or start in Meadowville for a more difficult trail. If you want to complete this trail as a one-way ride, be sure to park a car at each trailhead or plan another transportation option. The trail can be ridden as a 31-mile out-and-back trail for those seeking a difficult workout. 

You will be glad that this route is only open from mid-June to mid-October. The second coldest temperatures ever recorded in the continental US were along this trail! 

Laketown Canyon Trail

Check out the Laketown Canyon Trail if you are an experienced biker looking for a fun and challenging ride. This 7-mile out-and-back trail begins at the rodeo arena in Laketown before heading off into a remote tract of wilderness. You will follow a winding dirt road through an exposed area before reaching a gorgeous aspen forest. 

Prepare to get wet because you will be crossing a babbling stream seven times each way on this ride. A reservoir halfway up the trail and a spring at the top are great locations for spotting wildlife. 

This trail is open to ATVs, horses, and hikers, so remember the right-of-way rules along the trail and always yield to horses. 

Swan Creek Mountain and Hiking Trail

For a moderately challenging 4.5-mile loop that is open from April through November, check out the Swan Creek Mountain Trail. Starting in Lakota, this trail is mostly flat, with a few steep sections to get your heart rate up. Part of the trail is along US 89, and you should be cautious in the summer months when traffic may be heavy along the road. 

Logan Canyon Trails

The Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway is home to over 20 bike trails of varying difficulty. This area is only a short drive from Bear Lake and is a perfect destination for an exciting day filled with mountain biking. 

Check out the Beaver Creek Family Ride, which, as the name suggests, is a great route for groups with kids or less experienced bikers. For experienced riders, consider the Bunchgrass, Steam Mill Canyon, or Perry Canyon trails, all rated as more difficult options. 

Outfitters and Rentals

Bike Barn

• Address: 485 N Bear Lake Rd, Garden City, UT 
• Phone number: (435) 946-3454

Located at the Bear Lake KOA in Garden City, the Bike Barn is a great option for all kinds of bike rentals and is also a bike shop if you need any repairs. Some of their offerings include traditional mountain bikes, e-bikes, trikes, banana bikes, and the unique four-person surrey. They have bikes suitable for children and adults. 

Firefly Power Bike Rentals

• Address: 2089 S Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, UT 
• Phone number: (877) 446-2453

Rent an e-bike or other outdoor equipment at Firefly Power Bike Rentals in Garden City. The e-bikes can be pedaled like a normal bike, or flip the switch and enjoy an easy ride as the battery-powered motor propels you along! An e-bike would make the 52-mile loop around Bear Lake easy enough for anyone. 

Epic Adventure Center

• Address: 201 N Bear Lake Blvd, Garden City, UT
• Phone number: (435) 946-3742

Open year-round and offering rentals of just about any outdoor equipment you can think of, Epic Adventure Center in Garden City is a great place to get your bike rental. They have e-bikes for summer use, which are perfect for paved trails, dirt roads, and mild off-road trails. In winter, you can rent a fat tire mountain bike which is suitable for groomed snowy areas or dirt trails. 

Grab Your Bike and Go!

When you rent a vacation home in beautiful Bear Lake, there is endless potential to get in touch with the wild surroundings. This stunning area is a fantastic destination for outdoor recreation, such as mountain biking. Pack your bags and your bike helmet, it’s time to see Bear Lake from the trails! 

Often referred to as the “Caribbean of the Rockies,” Bear Lake is possibly best known for its gorgeous vibrant blue color. The lake has a unique topography that lends itself to fantastic activities in warm and cold weather seasons. 

Summer in Bear Lake is the perfect season to make the most of the lake itself, with swimming, water sports, SCUBA diving, fishing, and kayaking as some of the most popular activities. Around the lake, you can head out for hiking, horseback riding, and other outdoor recreation in this stunning region of the United States. 

Take your summer vacation to the next level when you book a trip to beautiful Bear Lake. Equally divided between the scenic states of Idaho and Utah, this mesmerizing lake is home to endless exciting activities to make your vacation unforgettable. Read on for what you can look forward to on a Bear Lake getaway this summer. 

Hiking

There are nearly endless hiking opportunities in the area surrounding Bear Lake, and hiking is one of the top activities for a summer vacation. From easy strolls through Bear Lake State Park to intense backcountry hikes and everything in between, there are great hiking trails for everyone at Bear Lake. 

Limber Pine Trail

Set high above Bear Lake along the Logan Canyon National Scenic Byway is the 1.4-mile Limber Pine Trail. This loop provides a stunning hike, culminating in the massive 560-year-old limber pine for which the trail was named. This ancient tree is actually five trees growing together and is an amazing sight. 

Throughout the loop, you can catch glimpses of the turquoise waters of Bear Lake far below. Stop at one of the benches along the trail for a picnic lunch with an unforgettable view. 

Laketown Canyon Trail

Starting at the rodeo arena in Laketown, this 7-mile out-and-back trail takes you through aspen groves and sagebrush-covered hills. The Laketown Canyon Trail is perfect for a summertime hike because you will cross a stream seven times, giving you a chance to cool off in the cool mountain water. 

There is a reservoir halfway up the trail and a spring at the top of the trail, providing opportunities for spotting thirsty wildlife. This trail is also open to mountain bikers, horseback riders, and ATVs. 

Sink Hollow Trail

About 20 minutes from Bear Lake, you will find the trailhead for the beautiful Sink Hollow Trail. Near the Beaver Mountain ski area, this trail is much more pleasant to hike in the summer months when it isn’t covered in feet of snow. The 9-mile route takes you through sagebrush meadows, aspen groves, pine forests, and finally to Horse Lake, the perfect place to stop for lunch before heading home. 

Bear Trail

This 4.5-mile paved trail is fantastic for an easy walk along the lake and through the charming town of Garden City, where you can stop for a mid-hike coffee or ice cream treat. Enjoy beautiful views of the lake on this family-friendly hike that is easily accessible for everyone. Bear Trail is also suitable for bikes and horses. 

Bear Lake Water Sports

With over 160 square miles of stunning turquoise water, there is plenty of room for all kinds of water sports at Bear Lake. Lake activities here are heavy on the watercraft! Think water skiing, wake boarding, and jet skiing to experience the lake like the locals! 

Explore the beautiful lake with a canoe or kayak rental for a quiet day. This is a great way to get up close to wildlife that might be scared off by a boat’s motor and allows you to enjoy tranquil views of the lake. Afterward, you can laze around on the beaches that surround the lake.

Certified SCUBA divers are able to dive in the clear blue water, providing beautiful underwater scenes. The thriving marine life and ideal water conditions make Bear Lake one of the top dive sites in Idaho and Utah. Cisco Beach, along the east shore of Bear Lake, is considered the best dive spot in the lake. 

Pontoon boats, speedboats, fishing boats, jet skis, kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, and accessories can be rented at various outfitters around Bear Lake. 

Fishing

Bear Lake has fantastic fishing opportunities year-round. There are numerous local outfitters where you can rent a boat and gear or charter a guided fishing trip. The lake is home to a trophy cutthroat trout fishery producing record-breaking fish. Lake trout can also be found in the lake, sometimes reaching up to 30 lbs. 

In addition to trout, four species of fish are endemic to Bear Lake, providing a unique opportunity for anglers. These species are Bonneville cisco, Bonneville whitefish, Bear Lake whitefish, and Bear Lake sculpin. 

Please familiarize yourself with all the fishing regulations for the lake. A valid fishing license in Idaho or Utah is required to fish in Bear Lake. It is important to remember that all cutthroat trout with all fins intact (unclipped) must be released to protect the native fish population. 

Horseback Riding

The Bear Lake area is very popular for horseback riding due to the high number of horse-friendly trails and endless stunning scenery. Whether you are a total beginner looking for a unique experience during your vacation or an expert equestrian seeking new trails, Bear Lake has something for everyone. 

You are welcome to bring your own horses, or you can book guided rides with one of the local tour operators. Pony Express Horseback Rides and MW Quarter Horses are great local guide services options.

Mountain Biking

Trail adventurers will find many fantastic opportunities for mountain biking in the Bear Lake area. From casual rides through town to challenging routes through canyons, you have no shortage of memorable trails to bike during your vacation. 

Bear Trail

Bear Trail is 4.5 miles of paved surface, perfect for a casual ride with the whole family. Following along the shores of Bear Lake, the scenic ride takes you through quaint towns where you can stop for a snack or drink, especially the famous raspberry shakes in Garden City. 

The Bear Lake Road Biking Path

Enjoy incredible views of the entirety of Bear Lake when you ride this 52-mile loop around the lake. Though the mileage is high, the Bear Lake Road Biking Path is considered easy to moderate due to the relatively flat terrain. You can make stops in towns throughout the ride for snacks, drinks, or a restroom break. 

Pro tip: Ride this route clockwise for the best views. 

Bear Lake Summit to Meadowville Trail

This 15.5 point-to-point trail takes you through varying terrain, including mixed conifer forests and depressions in the landscape known as The Sinks. Either plan to park two cars, one at each trailhead, or make this a 31-mile round-trip ride.

Be glad you’re riding the Bear Lake Summit to Meadowville Trail in the summer; the second coldest temperatures ever recorded in the continental US were in the Sinks along this trail! 

Laketown Canyon Trail

Experienced bikers will love the Laketown Canyon Trail. This 7-mile out-and-back route starts at the rodeo arena in Laketown and takes you along a winding dirt road with multiple creek crossings. Watch out for horses and hikers, but there are plenty of opportunities for some fast sections along this trail. 

Weather

The weather in the Bear Lake area can vary wildly depending on the season. While the region is cold and best suited for skiing and snowboarding over the winter, summertime at Bear Lake is perfect for those who enjoy warmth and sunshine. 

Living up to its nickname as the Caribbean of the Rockies, temperatures can reach the mid-80s in the heat of July. Therefore, June through September are the best months to visit to play in the water and avoid the chilly temperatures common in the other months. 

Summertime Perfection Around Bear Lake

Have the summertime lake getaway of a lifetime when you book a vacation home at the stunning Bear Lake. So pack your swimsuit and sunscreen and prepare for an unforgettable summer at your Bear Lake Luxury Rental.