ATV & UTV Mountain Trails

ATV & UTV Mountain Trails

The mountains above Garden City hold hundreds of miles of ATV and UTV trails, part of the Bear River Range in Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest (what a lot of locals still call Cache National Forest). Bear Lake State Park itself doesn't allow off-highway vehicles inside the park boundaries, so trail riding happens in the forest land surrounding it, reached through outfitters based in Garden City.

What to expect

Trail access points include Garden City Canyon Trail up into Logan Canyon, plus routes through Hodges Canyon and Richardson Canyon that connect into the Forest Service trail network along Sinks Road. Riders can expect a mix of forest roads, canyon routes, ridge lines, and viewpoints looking straight down onto Bear Lake's turquoise water, plus stream crossings and groves of pine and aspen depending on which route you take. Terrain ranges from easy, well-graded roads suitable for a family group to steeper, narrower routes with real drop-offs for more experienced riders. The same trail network gets used for snowmobiling once the snow flies.

Local outfitters renting ATVs and UTVs include Bland Rentals (also known as Bear Lake Adventure N Destination) and the Adventure Center/Epic Recreation locations around town, with machines ranging from 2-seater UTVs up to larger 6-seat side-by-sides. Most rentals are available in half-day and full-day blocks, and renters generally need to be 18 or older to sign for the machine, even if younger family members ride along.

Hours and pricing

Rental shops generally open around 8 or 9am and run through early evening in summer, with pricing built around 2, 4, and 8-hour blocks rather than a flat day rate. A 2-seat UTV for a half day runs noticeably less than a larger 6-seat model for a full day, so it's worth comparing a couple of outfitters if your group is more than 2 or 3 people.

Location and parking

Rental locations cluster along Bear Lake Blvd in Garden City and at the Bear Lake Adventure Center, with trail access starting just outside town up Logan Canyon and along the forest roads branching off Highway 89.

Local tips

If you're riding a street-legal UTV, you can drive it on local paved roads to connect between trailheads, but standard ATVs and non-street-legal UTVs need to be trailered. Sunset rides are popular in summer for the temperature and the light on the lake, but they book up, so reserving a machine a day or two ahead during peak season saves you from showing up to an empty lot.

FAQs

• Can I ride ATVs inside Bear Lake State Park? No, the park doesn't have OHV trails or riding areas within its boundaries. ATVs can be trailered in but not ridden on park beaches or trails.
• Where do ATV trails near Bear Lake actually start? Main access points include Garden City Canyon Trail, Hodges Canyon, and Richardson Canyon, all connecting into the national forest trail system above town.
• Do I need my own ATV, or can I rent one in Garden City? You can rent locally. Bland Rentals and the Adventure Center/Epic Recreation locations both offer ATV and UTV rentals by the hour or day.

Related: Hiking & Scenic Nature Trails · Bear Lake Funtime · Marina Rentals · Outdoor Adventures & Scenic Trails