Bear Lake Glamping . . .
Have you heard of Bear Lake in Garden City, Utah? This little slice of heaven is just a two hour drive from Salt Lake City. At the end of last summer, we packed up the car and headed north for a weekend of glamping. Our girls still talk about the big tent with fancy beds at Conestoga Ranch. Keep reading for a few tips, tricks and things we loved–this is what childhood dreams are made of.
Where to Stay
We booked a Traditional Tent at Conestoga Ranch. It comfortably sleeps four with a king bed and two twins. Each glamping tent has it’s own campsite, equipped with a picnic table, two Adirondack chairs and a fire pit for roasting mallows. Did I mention there’s electricity? You can charge your phone from the comfort of a bedside table. Rustic luxury never worked so well. Next time, I’ll splurge for a tent with an en-suite bathroom. It’d be much easier with kids.
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What to Do
We took full advantage of everything Conestoga Ranch has to offer. There’s a playground, restaurant and large grassy area for field games. They also have bikes on site for quick rides to and from your campsite.
Ready to hit the water? Bear Lake is just a short drive from the resort. Depending on your desired activities, there are a few different beaches to find a spot in the sand. Hunter’s Point in Garden City and Rendezvous Beach in Rich County are great sites for family fun. I highly recommend reading through Google Maps reviews to confirm the location fits your family’s needs.
Pick up lunch from Mike’s Market in Garden City. It’s a full service grocer, with everything you need for a picnic on the beach. We bought a few ready-made sandwiches (and Lunchables for the kids) before heading to the water. I also stocked our cooler with extra ice, cold drinks and popsicles.
No boat? No problem. There are multiple rental services in and around Garden City. You can rent water toys like paddle boards, Wave Runners, water trampolines and boats. If you’d rather just play on the beach, don’t forget the sand toys!
Before leaving town, make sure to get a famous raspberry milkshake. You can find a whole slew of mom + pop restaurants along Bear Lake Blvd. FYI: most restaurants in town are only open during the summer season.
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What to Pack
My best advice is to stick with the basics: overnight necessities for glamping, a large cooler (budget friendly), swimwear, sunscreen + aloe, foldable chairs AND shade. For more details on what we bring to the beach, you can read the caption of this Instagram post. I highly recommend setting up a canopy shelter (like this one) or a pop up tent to provide shade throughout the day. I’ve linked a few similar styles below.
Psst! We have and love our portable Joe Shade umbrella. I purchased it in 2016 and have used it every summer since. Think backyard play, weekend tournaments and days by the pool or beach.
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