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Lakeside kickoff weekend on Bear Lake’s turquoise shore
Book a campsite, then settle into a long weekend of family activities and easy lake access for boating, paddling, and beach time at Bear Lake.
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Memorial Day Weekend at Bear Lake and the Marina Side KOA Holiday is your early-season entry point to summer in Garden City, Utah. You are steps from the Garden City marina and the turquoise water Bear Lake is known for, with quick access to Bear Lake State Park for beach time, boat ramps, and day-use areas. Plan on using the KOA as a practical base for sunrise paddling, marina rentals, and low-effort shorefront downtime with your group.
The mood is social and active, with boaters and outdoor regulars arriving for the first major lake weekend of the year. Your best water window is early morning, when conditions tend to be calm for kayaks and paddleboards. Evenings lean communal, with casual gatherings around shared fire pits, plus rotating holiday-weekend programming that often includes kid-friendly crafts and an ice cream social. If raspberry shakes are on your list, Garden City is the place to do it.
Book early, ideally six months out, since campsites and cabins fill fast for this weekend. Pack thick layers or a wetsuit for water time because late May lake temperatures can stay brisk even when the sun is out. Bring a bike so you can move between the KOA, local shops, and the state park docks without giving up parking, and aim to arrive by Thursday evening to reduce Friday traffic from Salt Lake City or Boise. Keep an eye on the forecast for sudden mountain wind shifts that can change conditions for small watercraft.
For families, you have reliable backups when the lake feels too cold, including the KOA swimming pool and jumping pillow. Accommodations range from full hookup RV sites to deluxe cabins, and if the campground is full you can look to Garden City vacation rentals, including hillside options with wide lake views. The KOA is pet friendly with leash rules and designated exercise areas. If you get rain, indoor options like the camp store and game room help fill gaps, and covered dining in town is close by. Boat trailer parking is limited, so confirm your site dimensions or arrange off-site storage before you arrive.
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