Antelope Island State Park is an island in the Great Salt Lake and can be reached from the mainland along the Antelope Island Road, a small but scenic road that can be accessed by paying the entrance fee at the toll booth

What makes Antelope Island especially impressive is its surreal landscape, made of golden prairies and beaches that fade into the horizon, and its fauna, composed of bison, antelope, deer, coyotes, bighorn sheep and various species of birds. The most representative image of this natural area is a herd of bison peacefully grazing on the prairies at the foot of the mountains (for example Frary Peak, the highest peak).

You can either drive around the park, stopping at viewpoints to admire the beauty of the views and wildlife, or you can hike the many trails available. Many people also swim here, taking advantage of the high salinity of the lake, which seems to enable you to float without too much effort, although the strong smell could make you want to pass this up…

How long does it take to visit the park?

The park is not big and if you want to visit it by car you could manage to do it even in 2 hours. Obviously, things change if you decide to walk the trails. Here are some tips on how to plan an itinerary for either option:

Visit by Car

If you are looking for an itinerary that allows you to enjoy the best of the park in about 2 hours, follow this route:

A seven-mile causeway crosses the Great Salt Lake connecting Syracuse, Utah, to Antelope Island State Park.

As soon as you start driving along the Antelope Island Road, you will immediately realize you are in an unusual place. The spectacular road leading to the island (Davis County Causeway) is like a thin layer of land skimming over the salt lake. On your left you will be greeted by the majestic Frary Peak reflected in the water, while flocks of birds will fly alongside you as you drive.

Near the Antelope Island State Park sign (and its unsightly blue bison), I suggest you turn right and head towards the Visitor center, where, in addition to picking up the map and requesting information, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the road you have just driven.

Visitor’s Center

The Visitor’s Center is very small. There is a table with different animals bones or horns that is always fun because it’s a hands-on activity. You are allowed to touch and hold anything on the table.

Bird Feeder at the Antelope Island State Park Visitors Center

Our favorite part of the Visitor’s Center is the bird feeder. There is a large window where you can watch the birds. We even saw big chukars coming to the feeder. The ranger told us that there is a rabbit that lives in the rock behind the feeder so if you are there early you can see him. We did not, but we watched for a long time.

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Buffalo Point

From the Visitor center, heading south, you’ll come across a number of trails and viewpoints. You’re free to explore the whole area, but whether you’re a hiker or just a visitor on the road, you don’t want to miss Buffalo Point, a scenic spot with picnic tables that gives you a beautiful view of the western side of the island.

Buffalo Point Trail climbs up a small peak and then you can walk across the peak to an viewpoint for the Great Salt Lake on both sides. The trail is steep on the way up, but across Buffalo Point it is flat and relaxing. This trail is only 0.6 mile roundtrip.

The trail is easy to spot, and the hike, is short and easy to walk. The parking lot, which also has remarkable views, has restrooms, a large panoramic patio with benches and even binoculars to see things more closely. This trail is an excellent place for watching bison grazing. The short hike leads to a rock from which you can enjoy splendid views of the lake and some smaller islands.

Buffalo Point

At this point, go back to the blue bison statue and this time take the road along the east bank of the lake, at Farmington Bay. This is the best area to sight the bison, which you will encounter along the way in large numbers and probably also up close (Here and in Yellowstone, they have the habit of crossing the road). In this area, if you’re lucky, you’ll also see some antelope, one of the fastest land animals in the world,  and is more difficult to spot than bison, which move in large herds.

The road from the painted bison to the Fielding Garr Ranch is about 11 miles long and, if you want to travel all the way, it may take you even 1 full hour to complete round trip. Along the way, after almost 6 miles, you will find the junction to Frary Peak Trailhead Road, which leads to 2 of the park’s most popular trails: Frary Peak Trail and Dooly Knob Trail.

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Fielding Garr Ranch

The Fielding Garr Ranch was the first permanent residence on Antelope Island and was inhabited from 1848 to 1981.  We were able to take a guided tour of the Ranch, given by a park historian, to learn all about how the homesteaders were able to survive in such a desolate place.  The State Park occasionally provides guided tours, but you do not need to be guided to visit and experience the Ranch.

Fielding Garr Ranch is a hands-on museum, which means that you can touch and feel almost everything you see.  The home and the barn are open to take a walk through.  There is even a water pump you can try and some fake animals you can rope.

The oldest building in Utah that’s still on its original foundation sits upon an unimposing ranch on the southeastern shore of Antelope Island in Davis County, Utah.

 The ranch is no longer a working ranch, but you can still see the old buildings and the farm house. We always love seeing old pioneer relics, and the old farm equipment is very interesting. Two favorite activities here: one is ringing the old bell, and the other is trying to rope the wooden cattle. As far as animals, there are a few horses, and we always see deer here for some reason. There is a great-horned owl that hangs out around the ranch.

Walk through the large barn that is filled with old farming equipment.

Make sure to look for the great-horned owl at the ranch.

Lady Finger Point

Another shorty but goody is Ladyfinger Point. Located on the Northwest side of the island, you’ll get views of Egg Island which is preserved as a bird sanctuary. Egg Island is actually reachable from Ladyfinger Point when the water levels are low, but it’s actually off-limits to hikers in order to preserve the safety of the birds that nest on the island.

This trail is a short .25 mile walk out to the end of Lady Finger Point and provides a great view of Egg Island and the north side of the Great Salt Lake.  For many, this is a great bird-watching area.  We even saw a few jackrabbits!  This is a great little trail for kids.

Getting Here

Take a right as you enter Antelope Island from the causeway, pass the marina, and you will see a shaded picnic table and some restrooms next to a parking area.  This is the trailhead.  If you get to the Visitor Center you have gone too far.