Salt Lake's Best Kept Secret
Just two hours north of Salt Lake City is one of Utah’s best-kept secrets – Bear Lake. Recently adopting the title “Caribbean of the Rockies” Bear Lake is known and loved for its vibrant turquoise water, famous raspberry shakes, and small beach town charm. Bear Lake is the perfect summer getaway for boating, beach lounging, and laid-back adventure.
While the lake stretches across the border of Utah and Idaho, the hub of activity is in Garden City, Utah. This is where most of your food options, beach access and lodging are located, making it the best place to experience all Bear Lake has to offer.
When to Visit Bear Lake
Peak Season: Memorial Day to Labor Day
Bear Lake’s summer season is ideal with the cool mountain air and refreshingly cold water making it a great escape from Salt Lake City’s heat.
Raspberry Days: Early August
Bear Lake hosts “Raspberry Days” typically in early August where you can celebrate the famous raspberry harvest with a craft fair, parade, and live entertainment. You can even join the Boat light parade where everyone strings lights on their boats and parades down the coastline together. This event draws LARGE crowds, so book your stay in advance and pack your patience, with only a few ways in and out of town traffic can be a dozy.
Off Season: September – May
I’ve visited Bear Lake in May, October, and December. In the off season Garden City quiets down significantly – many restaurants close, limiting your options. If you’re renting your own cabin and plan to cook your own meals the off season is a peaceful retreat.
However, winter brings heavy snow and ice which can making travel through the canyon difficult. I recommend avoiding visits between November and March unless you’re comfortable with winter driving and limited amenities.
Gluten Free Food in Bear Lake
As small as Garden City is, there’s a surprising amount of places that have gluten free options and can prevent cross contamination. As always, double check for cross-contamination and communicate your needs clearly. Here is my ranked list from most to least celiac safe options:
#1 Caribbean Cowboy
This BBQ joint is hands down the most celiac safe option in town. The owner has a gluten and wheat allergy and is great with cross contamination. The only gluten on the menu is buns, toast, and baked goods. Enjoy ribs, pulled pork, chicken and hearty sides – plus fantastic outdoor seating with lawn games. This location is also just off the main road – meaning easy parking and usually lower crowds.
#2 Campfire Grill
Located at Conestoga Ranch this sit down restaurants offers a variety of gluten free option – they even have a gluten free pizza! The staff is very knowledgeable about cross contamination and can take the time to understand your accommodation needs. This restaurant is open to the public, even if you aren’t staying on property, and has a beautiful view at sunset.
#3 Bear Trapper
One of our Bear Lake favorites, this quirky dinner offers a gluten free buns, chicken dishes, and salads that can be made without cross contamination. Gluten free options are not marked on their menu, but the staff is very friendly and knowledgably. It’s usually less crowded and can accommodate larger groups. Plus, you can grab a sweet treat next door at the Chocolate Bear – the frozen chocolate-dipped raspberries are a must!
#4 Summit Pizza
I’m honestly impressed with their gluten protocols for such a remote pizza shop. I talked with a manager who explained the whole process where they prep gluten free items in a separate location, wash pans, change gloves and use fresh ingredients that haven’t been open yet. He said his wife has celiac and can eat there safety which made me feel pretty solid about it. In addition to a gluten free crust they also have a bowl option with a veggie noodle base if you want to play it extra safe. Based on my experience I would actually feel incredibly comfortable ordering here. There’s some seating but it’s best for take out – great for a beach picnic!
#5 Zips
Zips is highly divisive in our family. They opened a few years ago as a well-branded and unique alternative to the typical burger-and-fry joints. Cleverly marketing themselves as the “least famous” shakes, they’ve drawn massive crowds—and the lines haven’t let up since. While some of our family will happily wait in that ridiculously long line for what I personally consider sub-par shakes, we all agree that Zips has the best food of all the fast-casual spots
Now that I have celiac disease, it’s begrudgingly climbed higher on my list too. It’s a solid option for that fast-casual, beachy vibe, with more variety than just burgers. That said, Zips is anything but fast—it often has the longest line in all of Garden City.
They have plenty of gluten-free options marked on the menu and can be pretty good about cross-contamination, though the smaller kitchen and younger staff do pose a bit more risk—so definitely ask questions and advocate for yourself. Zips serves Dole Whip, which (as far as I know) comes from its own machine – making it the most celiac safe “shake” option in my mind. I haven’t ordered an ice cream shake from Zips – but I would feel most safe ordering one here if I felt the staff had a solid understanding.
#6 Cafe Sabor
Café Sabor is a great sit down location with indoor and outdoor seating. It’s one of the only locations in Garden city that serves alcohol, so we love stopping in for a raspberry margarita. Their menu clearly marks gluten free options, but when I asked about cross contamination they completely shut me down by saying nothing was cross contamination safe and wouldn’t answer any follow up questions. So I wouldn’t recommend it for celiac’s unless you get a more patient staff member that can answer your questions and ensure your safety.
#7 Ruca’s
Ruca’s is a fresh addition to the Garden City food scene offering lighter meal options like sandwiches, salads, and smoothies. They offer gluten free bread but are completely unable to prevent cross contamination based on the size of their kitchen. I was able to order a smoothie with is a still a nice change of pace in Garden City. If you’re not sensitive to cross contamination it’s a great option with a cute little gift shop and fun outdoor seating area with yard games.
#8 Crepes and Coffee
Sadly, one of my previously favorite locations in Bear Lake is no longer an option for me – but if you’re not sensitive to cross contamination it’s a fun brunch spot. They have buckwheat crepes – which despite the name are in fact gluten free, however they use the same griddle and can’t clean it well enough to be celiac safe. I highly recommend the Bear Lake crepe with the famous bear lake raspberries (I seriously miss it so much). But be aware, the wait times here are incredibly long, often hitting an hour or more for a crepe. They recently upgraded their building and we hoped the wait times would improve, but unfortunately it’s still a long wait. So if you plan to visit bring your patience and enjoy the vibes. And a fair warning, the coffee isn’t that great either. The best time to visit is in the evening for a glass of wine or a cocktail when they have live music. Despite it’s quality it is still a fun place to hangout and is the most laptop friendly location in Garden City.
Burgers and Fries
Bear Lake is full of the classic – burger + fry + shake combo. You’ll find multiple places with basically the same menu. Most of them have pretty small kitchens where cross contamination is expected. However, here are the safest options:
Burger Barn & Ephraim’s Restaurant: Both have dedicated fryers and can make a celiac burger with a lettuce wrap.
Salty Bear: Newer on the scene and gluten aware with a gluten free burger bun but their fries are not celiac-safe. They have the least amount of gluten containing mix-ins for their shakes – making it one of the safer options to try a shake.
Zips: This is the most allergen aware location in Garden City with gluten free options listed on their menu and a fairly educated staff. Their fries have been known to be celiac safe – but always ask in case things change.
Just a note:
Hometown & Merlin’s: Once favorites of mine, I can’t recommend these for celiacs. Neither are allergen aware and cannot prevent cross contamination.
Best Shakes in Bear Lake
Since being diagnosed with Celiac disease I haven’t been confident ordering the famous shakes in Bear Lake. Many places will offer to clean the blending tools – but I just don’t feel fully confident given how sensitive I am to cross contamination and how young the staff typically is. However, here are my recommendations from my years spent at Bear Lake if you aren’t sensitive to cross contamination:
#1 Hometown Drive Inn
The best flavor of shake at Bear Lake is a Raspberry Lime Shake. And the best place to get it? Hometown Drive In. In my opinion the shakes at Hometown are elite – which you may not guess based on how much shorter the line is compared to other shake places. But trust me, they’re the best.
While it may not be very Instagram-able, Hometown has the best tasting shakes. Thick, over the rim shakes that don’t have that artificial aftertaste. Add as many flavors as you like to create your perfect shake. It also often has the shortest wait time compared to LaBeau’s or Zips.
I sadly cannot recommend this for celiacs as it probably has the highest chance of cross contamination. They don’t understand any allergen protocols and have a very small kitchen. The staff member handing our group their shakes was literally covered in flour – so, no thanks lol.
#2 LaBeau’s
LaBeau’s has two locations that offer the same great shakes. My understanding is one is primarily shakes and the second stays open later and has more food options. Great quality of shakes with plenty of options. It often has a long line but is still worth the visit. Reviews have shared that they have good gluten free protocols and will clean the machine, talk with staff and see how comfortable you personally feel if you’re sensitive.
#3 Chevron
Surprisingly, the Chevron up the canyon coming into Garden City has great shakes with hardly any wait. If you’re craving a shake on your way out of town and don’t want to deal with parking and waiting in line, the Chevron is a solid option.
#4 Zips
In my opinion the shakes are Zips are sub par at best – but Zips draws huge crowds for a reason I guess. Zips is the most allergen aware shake place in Garden City, meaning you might feel more comfortable ordering a shake here if avoiding cross contamination but I haven’t tried it yet. I found their shakes to be more artificial tasting and thinner than that typical thick, over the rim, shake that Hometown offers. The saving grace for Zips is the Dole Whip – which is honestly the only option I would feel 100% safe ordering as a celiac. Dole Whip typically comes in it’s own machine so the risk of cross contamination is much lower than the shakes. They even have a raspberry dole whip which is a great dairy free alternative to the classic raspberry shakes. They also have a drive in if you want to wait in the car instead of in line, but the wait is still long.
Notable Mentions
While I haven’t tried them, Burger Barn and Salty Bear also offer shakes and typically shorter lines. Both offered to clean their machine to try to prevent cross contamination however Salty Bear has the least amount of gluten containing mix ins so they would be the safer option in my mind.
Best Celiac Safe Sweet Treats in Bear Lake
Many shake places in Bear Lake with change gloves and clean the machine to try and avoid cross contamination – but as someone who is highly sensitive I see the size of the kitchen and the age of the staff and dip out, however other celiac’s have had good luck and to give them credit, many locations have really stepped up their allergen protocols in the past few years.
If you feel more confident giving it a try the most safe locations in my mind are Zips, LaBeau’s or Salty Bear. However, here are a few sweet treat alternatives I do feel comfortable with as a celiac.
#1 The Chocolate Bear
This candy shop has always been a family favorite. My husbands grandmother would often take the kids for a “Raspberry Run” to get fun candies and the famous Frozen Chocolate Dipped Raspberries which in my mind, are the iconic Bear Lake sweet treat. After I was diagnosed with celiac I was worried I’d miss out, but the raspberries are dipped in a dedicated bowl of milk chocolate, minimizing the risk of cross contamination. I was able to enjoy them this year without a reaction. They also sell tons of fun candies and toys, as well as large variety of canned jams and preserves. I always get a couple jars of Bear Lake Raspberry jam and syrup to take home.
#2 Dole Whip at Zips
While zips might be able to minimize cross contamination with their shakes – their Dole Whip is in fact gluten free and, to my understanding, comes in a Dole brand machine, helping to minimize cross contamination. They even have a raspberry dole whip if you want to enjoy the raspberry theme.
#3 Mike’s Market
If you’re looking for a certified sweet treat you are familiar with, Mike’s Market grocery store has a grocery selection of certified snacks. I found many of my favorite brands including Oli Pop, Schar, Feel Good Foods, Canyon House and more.
Gluten Free Groceries in Bear Lake
Mike’s Market:
The main grocery store in Garden City has really upped their gluten free game in the last year. They have a full frozen section of gluten free items including brands like Canyon house, Feel Good Foods, and Udis. They also have two large shelves dedicated to gluten free breads, pasta, crackers, and snacks – as well as additional snacks scattered around. Their selection makes me comfortable staying for a week knowing I can at least get the basics easily. They’ve always been really well stocked when I’ve visited, but I’d recommend being extra prepared on holiday weekends.
Where To Enjoy The Beach
If you’re looking for a beach day you have a few beach options depending on the vibe you’re going for. There are also resorts you can stay at that have private beach access if you’re looking to spend a couple of days.
North Beach
Located on the Idaho side of Bear Lake is the largest sandy beach. It’s popular, so you’ll want to get there early – they do stop letting people in once it hits capacity. Depending on the year, the water can be fairly shallow for a ways out. The gentle sloop is great for families and swimmers of all levels.
North Beach is great when you want to get there early, bring your own food and spend the whole day. It’s especially great if you’d prefer shallow water to play in over having easy boat access.
Rendezvous Beach
On the south end of bear lake, not too far from Garden City, is in my opinion the best day beach. At this location, you can reserve sites and rent boats and other toys. It can get crowded so I’d recommend arriving in the early morning or going after 3pm and staying until sunset. This is the closer beach to town making it a great option if you’re wanting to spend a couple hours at the beach, and then get food in town.
Marina
If you’re looking to launch your own boat and stay close to food, the beach by the marina is your best bet. There’s a small stretch of beach just north of the marina—smaller than the other options, but much more convenient for boat access. It’s the ideal spot if you plan to spend most of the day out on the water but still want a place to relax on shore. Just note: it’s more rocky than sandy compared to the other beaches and has less shade.
Other Activities
My Bear Lake experience is mostly about relaxing, sun bathing, and water activities, but Bear Lake is packed with fun activities to enjoy. You can rent bikes to cruise through town, go off roading through the canyon, try go-karting, visit the Playhouse theater for a show, complete a ropes course at the Bridgeland Adventure Park and even go horseback riding just outside of garden city. Bear Lake really is a choose your own adventure destination
Where to Stay in Bear Lake
My top recommendation is glamping at this incredible campsite right in town and close to the marina. I stayed here at the end of their season in early October and it was incredible! The weather was slightly crisp and the fall foliage was at it’s peak, making the drive up truly breathtaking. They have a variety of tent options with some including hot water, electricity, heat, a mini fridge and more. Each site has a private campfire patio and access to shared spaces with lawn games, hammocks, and larger seating areas. On site is the Campfire Grill with is one of the safes restaurants for celiac’s, and you’re within walking distance of the grocery store. It’s a great option if you want the outdoor experiences but also want the amenities.
If you want the convivence of a condo with direct beach access I’d recommend staying at the Ideal Beach Resort. This Bear Lake resort offers condos with full kitchens as well as every amenity you’d want for a great week at the lake. Pools, hot tubs, mini golf, pickelball, green spaces, community events, outdoor movies, etc. If you’re looking to stay longer than 3 or 4 days and want a relaxing getaway with everything you need at your fingertips – this is an incredible option. It’s not far from the main town, making it easy to head up the road for shakes and shopping.
I actually stayed here for my honeymoon in the offseason! The WorldMark has condo style units with full equipped kitchen, making it great for medium sized groups who want the flexibility to cook. Plus, it’s centrally located and right outside the marina for easy boat launching.
Ok, shameless plug – this is my extended family’s property! I’ve been spoiled having this property in our family. It’s such a beautiful location – right on the water, near the marina and the grocery store, and walking to food is a breeze. It has limited availability, but is great for larger groups if you can book it. They have plenty of cookware, but if you need to avoid cross contamination I would recommend your own cutting boards, paper plates, and tin foil for baking sheets and the grill/griddle if you want to utilize those. If you end up booking and have questions about cookware just send me an email.