How to Visit Utah’s Antelope Island
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Although less than an hour from Salt Lake City, the grassy plains of Antelope Island feel like a world away. After crossing the bridge to the island, you’ll leave the suburbs behind and reach vast prairies ringed with salt pans and sky-blue water. Bison, pronghorn, and mule deer roam freely on the slopes of the island’s gently rising peaks. It is rugged, empty, and incredibly beautiful. I loved my time there despite having the chorus to Home, Home on the Range playing on endless repeat in my head. For hours. It is, I’m afraid, a hazard of visiting. Here are tips for visiting Antelope Island, one of my all-time best road trip stops.
Trip highlights
The animals! I knew that bison lived on Antelope Island but thought seeing them would be too much to expect. I was wrong. They are all over and visible over long distances.
The strange and unique environment of the Great Salt Lake. The pale blue water and salt pans set it apart from any other lake in the country. I learned the term oolitic sand, which describes the small, round sand particles formed from high levels of calcium carbonate.
Mountains are everywhere. The Wasatch Range is the most striking from Antelope Island, although there are several ranges visible from different areas. Visit on a clear day if you can.
Hiking trails for all skill and ambition levels with incredible views.
Know before you go
There is very little shade on Antelope Island. Bring lots of water and sunscreen.
Leashed dogs are allowed in all areas of the park except for public buildings and Bridger Bay Beach. Service dogs are allowed in all areas.
Bring buy spray for the flies, especially in summer.
Antelope Island sees wide ranges in temperatures throughout the year. Summers will be hot and will have the most bugs. Spring and fall are good times to visit, as is winter when there is no snow on the ground. Wide open expanses can mean windy weather, so bringing layers is a good idea.
Bring a camera, it’s beautiful. You’ll want to be able to zoom in as much as possible for wildlife photos. I pessimistically left my zoom lens behind on my visit, and regretted it.
The park is a protected area. Please do not remove anything during your visit.
The Buffalo Island Grill is open seasonally from March until November for burger-type fare. Otherwise, bring snacks and water. There are good picnic spots on the island.
There are paved roads on much of Antelope Island, although the roads past Fielding Garr Ranch farther from the park entrance are unpaved.
Cost
It costs $15/vehicle to enter Antelope Island. This fee seemed kind of steep to me when I looked it up, especially since I was traveling by myself, but the park was worth it and I would go happily again. You can buy a pass online ahead of time or pay at the entrance to the bridge.
Those 65 years and older can enter for $10/vehicle. Entrance for motorcycles is $5. Bikes and pedestrians are $3/person.
Camping
There are several campgrounds on Antelope Island. Fees range from around $20-40, which includes the park entrance fee. The spots with higher fees have more amenities like water and electric hookups. Reservations are recommended on weekends and holidays.
Antelope Island is known for having excellent stargazing if you happen to stay overnight!
Animals
Antelope Island teems with animal life. The island is home to mule deer, bighorn sheep, and antelope, but the real stars of the show are the bison.
Bison were introduced to Antelope Island in 1893 and now have an impressive population of 600 animals. Their hulking brown forms dot the open grasslands. Their size and the lack of cover make them easily visible from a distance, although some come unsettlingly close to the roads and trails.
I’m sure this goes without saying but do not approach the bison. They are huge, fast, and not friendly. I saw some hanging out on a hiking trail. Best to pick another trail if you run into the same thing.
If you visit during fall, you may see the Annual Bison Roundup, during which bison are herded into corrals to check on their numbers and health.
Antelope Island is also a great bird-watching spot. The fly population may be a bane for humans, but along with the brine shrimp, makes great food for the birds. I was behind a couple of cars that indifferently passed bison but stopped every quarter mile or so in the middle of the road to check out the birds. According to the Audubon Society, these are some of the birds you can see at Antelope Island: Chukar, Northern Harrier, Long-billed Curlew, Burrowing Owl, Horned Lark, Rock Wren, Sage Thrasher, Grasshopper Sparrow, and Brewer’s Sparrow.
While birds are present throughout the year, there is a huge migration during late summer and fall that brings millions of birds to Antelope Island. Look for the Eared Grebe and Wilson’s Phalarope among others during this time.
Hiking on Antelope Island
There are more than 20 miles of hiking trails on Antelope Island. Here are a few of the best ones to tackle during your visit:
Buffalo Point: If you only do one trail on Antelope Island, I would suggest this one. This easy, 0.8-mile out-and-back trail takes you to Buffalo Point with panoramic views overlooking the Great Salt Lake, the Wasatch Mountains, and large portions of Antelope Island. It is short, rewarding, and family-friendly. There are restrooms and a patio area with viewing scopes near the parking lot. Look for bison in the plains below. The trailhead is close to the park entrance and makes for a good first stop.
Lakeside Loop: At the base of Buffalo Point, an easy 5.1-mile loop trail takes you along the shore of the Great Salt Lake. It is family-friendly and a great place to see the lake up close. It will take you by Bridger Bay and White Rock Bay.
Dooly Knob: This moderate 2.4-mile out-and-back trail shares a trailhead with the more intense Frary Peak Trail (below). It is shorter and less strenuous than Frary Peak, while still offering some great views. It is also more family-friendly if you are traveling with kids. The trail takes you higher than Buffalo Point and offers a better vantage point to take in the surrounding splendor.
Frary Peak: This difficult 6.9-mile out-and-back trail will take you up to the highest point on Antelope Island. While this hike is more of an undertaking, it has big payoffs in terms of views both on the trail and at the summit. Frary Peak overlooks an impressive ridge of peaks, which create a foreground for the Great Salt Lake and Wasatch Mountains in the distance toward the east. Also, look for the Stansbury and Oquirrh Mountains toward the south. Be careful on this trail during months due to the heat.
Other things to see and do
Swimming is allowed in the Great Salt Lake. The Utah State Parks Department recommends Bridger Bay Beach as the best place to experience the lake’s unusual salt content. There are restrooms and showers there, too.
Bring a picnic and enjoy the views.
Mountain biking is allowed on nearly all the trails. Bikes are allowed on the roads, but be aware that they are narrow and do not have bike lanes. You can also rent an e-bike to take around the island by calling 801-317-8549.
You can go horseback riding on designated trails.
Visit the Fielding Garr Ranch. Built in 1848, this ranch operated for over 130 years before becoming part of the state park system. Wander around the barn, former family home, and stables of the atmospheric ranch. The buildings and artifacts seem remarkably undisturbed through time and convey a sense of life on a turn-of-the-century ranch.
What to bring to Antelope Island
Bring a water bottle and snacks. Amenities are limited and spread out on Antelope Island. Plan on being as independent as possible when you’re there.
Sunscreen. Antelope Island has very little shade.
Camera
Binoculars
Bug spray (in the summer)
You can get by on Antelope Island with sneakers but will be more comfortable in hiking boots if you get out of the car and walk around. I had a great experience using my Timberline hiking boots when I visited. There is a similar pair for men.
Getting there
From downtown Salt Lake City, take I-15 North until Exit 332 for Antelope Drive. Continue on Antelope Drive until you reach the Antelope Island tollbooth. The drive to the tollbooth takes about 45 minutes.
From the north, take I-15 South until Exit 332. Then continue on Antelope Drive until the tollbooth. The drive from Ogden, Utah, is about 25 minutes.
Note that as you are crossing the bridge onto Antelope Island, you may notice a rotten egg-type smell. It is a byproduct of bacteria that grow in the Great Salt Lake. Take heart, it is strongest on the bridge and will dissipate once you get onto the island.
Enjoy your trip to Antelope Island, Utah!
With love,
Emma
