Great experience here at Antelope Island State Park. My friend and I visited in the late afternoon after arriving at the airport around noon, and checking out Golden Spike National Historic Site. The day had been quite rainy, and the timing worked out perfectly as the skies cleared up later in the day. Just a quick heads up! At the time of writing, there is no potable water available on the island. Bring your own and bring plenty of it. Also there is an entry fee to cross the causeway to get onto the "island" which really isn't an island anymore because of low water levels. There is an AM station that provides information updates as you enter - make sure to check in out and stay in the know. Because we hadn't brought much water with, we decided to keep our hiking to a minimum. We were also just off the plane from the east coast, so decided to take it easy with hiking our first day at the elevation. Our first stop was at Ladyfinder Point - we took the short trail out to the point for some views! Then after that, we really wanted to get down to the water so we made our way over to Bridger Bay Beach access. From the parking area to the water is a bit of a hike given that the water levels are so low. We parked near the first bathouse and made our way down through the sand. I had opted for sandals, but the flipflops made navigating the san difficult, so I went barefoot which was a bit uncomfortable because the sand it quite coarse. But, as we got further out the sand is more compacted and the sandals were ok. About halfway out to the water, we noticed a bison in the distance. It was walking south quite a bit away from us, so we continued north to the water and kept a really good distance. Down near the water, be prepared for MANY bird carcasses and the brine flies got pretty thick as you near the water. Just keep going because it is worth it. We stood in the clear waters of the Great Salt Lake and enjoyed the breeze and setting sun. It was well worth it to go all the way down. After a short stay by the water we headed back. It was at this point that we noticed the Bison from earlier had headed in the direction of the trailhead near the showers. We again kept our distance and had no issues, but our concern was growing. We made a bit of a detour to give the bison a wider berth, but at this point he was clearly moving toward the same point we were headed to. Keeping eyes on him and picking up speed we made it back to the shower building and rinsed our feet. Meanwhile, the bison continued to make his way up the beach stopping occasionally and then continuing on. We had retreated a bit behind the concrete walls of the shower building as the bison continued walking toward us. At one point I finally decided that we should probably get to the car. Which we did... After getting in the car and preparing to depart, we turned our head and lo and behold - but who should appear. That bison! He popped up out of the trail and began scratching himself on the shower building walls were we had been standing moments ago. Then he stopped, stared at us and we had a moment of panic that the rental car might get some damage. Luckily, the bison was not in the mood for a confrontation and he lumbered through the parking lot acros the road and up the other side of the hill, scratching his head on some low trees. Honestly, it was a bit of a anxiety-inducing experience yet thrilling at the same time. After our little encounter, we made our way toward Buffalo Point where we hiked up to Altar Rock and back. On the drive up we saw the island's namesake - two young antelope cavorting around the open spaces like two kids without a care in the world. It was entertaining and memorable for sure! The hike to Buffalo Point was a short but rewarding little hike and it was perfect as the sun was starting to set. Not wanting to hike back in the dark, we didn't stay out until true sunset, but we did get some great photos and made our way back. Apparently the park has a Dark Sky designation, and we had toyed with the idea of staying until dark, BUT the skies had grown overcast again, and after a long day of travel we made the decision that we needed to get an In-N-Out burger for dinner and head to the hotel to rest and prepare for our long hike the next day. Antelope Island was a great choice, and I am so glad we experienced even just a small percentage of the island. It was well worth it and I would definitely go back! read more

See all

- Why didn't anyone forewarn me about the pungency or abundance of carcasses at Bridger Bay Beach Dx - Just as you're starting to drive in to the State Park, you're already hit with a powerful poopy odor. Yuck. - It's a 10-20min walk from parking to the water. Coarse sand. May wanna wear shoes. Little rocks will sneak into your sandals. - The sight of dead birds and millions of flies, dead and alive, throughout the beach and the stench of what I thought was ubiquitous decomposed bison dung but likely was actually the sulfurous odor of detritus (still revolting though) discouraged me from fulfilling the bucket list goal I came here for: to prove the rumor that the human body really is unsinkable in the hypersaline water of the Great Salt Lake. I couldn't bring myself to lie down. Only let the water up to my calves. Ain't no way I'm risking full skin infection within the 1st day of my vacation. Still had 7 days to go. Begrudgingly, I simply took a picture from where I stood, then slowly backed away from the omnipresent death around me. . On my way driving out I asked the lady at the entrance booth about the water quality. She said the sight of those many flies and the dead animals is normal around the super salty water and that it's still safe to float in it. She may be right (as the Internet also agrees), but I couldn't bring myself to go through with it, especially since there weren't many other people there doing the same thing to help me feel reassured. + Glad the showers by the parking lot are fully functional though. + And a hose next to the restrooms next to the showers. . Just gotta bring your own soap. + Sources say pronghorns live on this island. * Fun fact: Pronghorns are the 2nd fastest land animal on Earth, just after the cheetah! - Didn't see any pronghorns or bison during my visit though. Granted, I didn't visit as far deep in as Fielding Garr Ranch. You might have better luck. . $15/car. A bit expensive for me since as you can see, my experience came up short. And as it's a state park, it's not covered by the $80 America the Beautiful annual pass. . Only a few people were at this State Park when I visited early Saturday evening. - VC still under maintenance. read more

See all

Look into the construction progress at the visitor's center before you go since that relates to availability of potable water. The recommendation is drinking 1L of water per person per hour. I was surprised that this state park has $15 entry per car, but I think it's worth it! I found the restrooms clean. Some roads are dirt while the main parts are paved. The roads are well maintained. The self guided tour of the ranch including original equipment from many decades of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries was informative. Parking is easy next to the ranch. Horses are still there. A marina is onsite, but it appeared quite dried up such that you cannot dock boats on the day I went. Even in the first 20 minutes past the visitor's center, you'll likely see flies, dragonflies, bison, antelopes, birds, and more! read more

See all

Absolutely stunning state park north west of the SLC area. only $15 for a vehicle, $5 for a motorcycle. There is so much to do here! Take in the epic views of the great salt lake from up high, walk along the coastline of the lake. There hiking trails up the mountains. There are bison all over to explore and photograph, as well as tons of species of birds to watch. If you're lucky you'll spot some Antelope or long horn sheep. Saw lots and local bicyclists, I imagine it wpuld be a blast to ride. You can park at the entrance and ride in at a small parking lot. The drive down the eastern coast is spectacular and if you don't mind a dirt road you can continue for a little further to the southern tip. Or stop at the pavement and check out the ranch that's been there for generations. What a cool place, I am so glad I got to visit an check it out. Ext time I'll stay for an extended period in one of the campgrounds!! read more

See all

Beautiful! What a wonderful experience. From the salt marshes, to the beaches, mountain tops, the quaint old farm, to the mass herds of Bison. Babies as well! What a beautiful and serene place to visit. We recommend you take a hike and spin, through the beautiful park! read more

See all

What an amazing place to visit. This state park is just 45 minutes outside of Salt Lake City. By visiting this place you'll have the opportunity to see wildlife: antelopes, bison, bald eagles and more. Plus you'll get to see the infamous salt lake that may be stinky, especially in the summer. Plus there are many trails around the park. Also you can camp or boat at this park The park does get busy in the summer. Best to go off season. Also I have been informed that the bugs are annoying in the summer. In the winter, be prepared for water to be shut off at camp sites and bathrooms Worth a visit. Entrance fee is 15 dollars for cars. read more

See all

"Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam, Where the deer and the antelope play, Where seldom is heard a discouraging word, And the skies are not cloudy all day." This was a great way to spend a Saturday for our first visit to the island. Plenty of Bison to watch roam the island. We saw some antelope up on a hill in the distance but didn't get to see them up close. Lots of hiking trails. We did the Buffalo Point trail and it was very popular due to the shortness and incredible 360 degree views of the island and views beyond the island to the mountain ranges of Utah. The campground is beautiful and had plenty of Bison just chilling next to the campers and had a beautiful view of the Great Salt Lake. Tho be warned the flies and mosquitos can get a bit unbearable in the afternoon. My favorite parts were watching the Bison roam and play and the visit to the Fielding Garr Ranch. There is also an archery range on the island which was pretty good and would make good practice for hunting. We'll be back to camp and hike more in the future. read more

See all

My son and I had a great trip to Antelope Island the last weekend of May. We only hiked at Lady Finger Point as we hiked to the tip. Reports were that biting gnats had hatched but we did not experience them until we drove out on a pier by the park entrance. There the gnats were swarming our truck so we did not get out. We toured the historic farm and were not bothered by the gnats. read more

Antelope Island State Park - Hiking Near Me - Syracuse, Utah

See all

Antelope Island State Park at the Great Salt Lake completely blew me away with how beautiful and peaceful it felt. The wide open landscape and sweeping views were spectacular, and seeing the bison roaming around was easily a highlight of the visit. Watching the sunset over the perfectly still lake felt almost unreal and made everything slow down in the best way. It was about a forty minute drive from downtown Salt Lake City, but the scenery made the trip feel well worth it. This is one of those places that quietly sneaks up on you and ends up being one of the most memorable stops of the whole trip. read more

See all

It was cool to have a rental car and enjoy the opportunity to see Antelope Island. About 45 minutes from the airport with minimal traffic. GPS took me through local roads and new neighborhoods to reach the island. You pay a per-car fee at arrival ($15) and proceed down a long stretch of road until you reach the island. The employee was friendly. The experience was good but not great. I got some nice views figuring out where to go on my own, even though I was given a map. There was no AT&T cell service, and it wasn't quite clear how to get around or where to go for the best views or what was open or where I could see bison. I didn't see any roaming bison up close (got a few snaps of them from far away, though), but I didn't venture too far into the island. The most interesting thing about the island was one part could be rainy and stormy and another part could be clear as day and sunny. If you're high enough up on a road, you can literally see the different atmospheres across the island. If you have an extra few hours to squander, consider coming here but don't schedule your whole Salt Lake City trip around it. Maybe it was too cold when I went. Not much was open. read more

See all

Gorgeous and well maintained park! We only saw one bison on our camping stop, and we battled gnats and major wind. Worth a stop but don't plan a long stay. read more

Antelope Island State Park - Hiking Near Me - Syracuse, Utah

I wanted to go on a picnic & my hubby took me there . It was beautiful but not much to do actually. Was it worth the traveling & fee? It depends on how you feel that day. The day we chose was a beautiful sunny day, not too hot . Perfect weather for a picnic. Will I come back , not really . Took some pictures, did went to the water just to feel the salt . Hated those millions of bugs tho, started to go inside our cloths ! Yuck! I would stay longer if those bugs were not there , there was also very weird smell ! That was still manageable but the bugs oh my God ! Public restrooms were closed & I refuse to use those single ones ! My husband did used them & said better than he actually expected! If you are traveling near by & wanna just see something beautiful from far away maybe it's a place for you . But I had been in Utah for a month now & I can say there are much more beautiful place to see rather then this ! read more

See all

Absolutely beautiful! From the drive in to the hikes and wildlife. So glad we spent the day here. We went early and brought in a lot of water and our own food and snacks. Prepare for direct sunlight; hats and sunblock needed. We walked the buffalo trail and to unicorn point. Serene and quiet. Well worth the trip. read more

See all

We visited this park during a trip to the SLC area. Maybe we didn't do it justice, but there just didn't see to be that much to it. We arrived in early afternoon on a hot day in June. You enter via a causeway and pay a $15 per card entry fee. As the name implies, the park is on a large island so you exit the same way. When we visited, there was no water service on the island (temporarily) and the new visitors' center was under construction. We drove around some loops on the west side of the park. We did see 3 - 4 buffalo roaming around. I later read that you may be able to see more on a longer drive along the eastern edge. We drove by the buffalo paddock but there were none there. We drove south but the road was closed (and unpaved) beyond a campground. We ended up driving up to an overlook. This provided decent views, such as they were, but the deck/platform looked super weathered and in need of update. Also, there were a lot of gnats. From what we could see from a distance, the beach seemed more like shell fragments than sand. The heat kept us from doing any serious hikes. The experience might be different in cooler weather, but I don't think I'd go back here in the summer months. YMMV. read more

Antelope Island State Park - View from the overlook - Hiking Near Me - Syracuse, Utah

Gnats were out in force, but overall the best 15 bucks I spent in UT. You have to like driving... Went out around 5 and were there for the long sunset. Bison! Dirt roads! Very few other cars! Amazing panoramas! We will be back. read more

Definitely a great place to explore and get away from people for a bit. We headed out this way after visiting the Air Force Base Museum, which was awesome and free. We be there he just head straight out to the island. The bison laying around on the hills with snow capped mountains was a great photo opportunity. Be careful don't get too close to the bison. You can get great shots from inside your car. No need to put yourself in danger. The visitor center was closed and under construction while we were there which was a bummer, but we did drive down to the lower part of the island where there is a historical ranch that you can explore, which was very cool. read more

See all

I don't really understand the bad reviews because this was an absolutely beautiful drive here and place to just be with nature. It cost $15 to enter the park and there's so many side streets to go down, campgrounds, salt flats, mountains, etc. read more

Antelope Island State Park - Hiking Near Me - Syracuse, Utah

See all

Beautiful park. Hiked a couple trails on a beautiful October day. Found some excellent exposures of amazing conglomerate rock. It's wonderful to see the buffalo grazing lazily upon the green hillsides. My only complaint is that the entrance fee is $15 per day. read more

See all

The water was a sea of gnats. Unfortunately we did not realize that until we were at the water and were swarmed by thousands of gnats. It was impossible to breathe without inhaling gnats. We ran and they followed us. It was on my bucket list to touch the great salt lake and we could not make it and now I don't want to do it anymore. It also smelled. I gave this 2 stars because the bison was cool and it was a nice view from inside the car read more

Not really sure where to begin... but let's just say we randomly found ourselves in beautiful Salt Lake City, and decided it was finally time to check out Antelope Island State Park. For just $10 a car (or $20 if you're camping), they hand you a simple map, smile, and say "Have fun!" -- and that's exactly what we did. We spent the day cruising around the island, taking in the views, and looking for bison. And yep -- we found them! Huge, calm, and absolutely majestic. It actually reminded me a lot of the European bison (zubr) I grew up seeing in Belarus. Fun fact: they're close relatives and can even interbreed -- nature is wild like that. Such a peaceful, unexpected experience. Highly recommend taking a couple hours to explore this spot if you're anywhere near Salt Lake. Totally worth it. Full real: TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8kU8JRy/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMxp0IBsIlI/?igsh=Y3A3ZGl3dTc3b25w read more

This place looks like a scene out of a sci-fi movie. It was so creepy. We walked to the beach and there were dead birds and it smelled. There was also no water. Apparently this is a gem in UT to go visit I say save yourself the trouble. read more

This place was such a pleasant surprise! We weren't sure how we were gonna spend our first full day in Salt Lake City, and after a quick search, I found the spot. We absolutely loved it. The views are spectacular, and we saw so so so many buffalo! They came up really close to the roads and trails. We also saw a herd of antelope. We did a short hike and had lunch at one of the picnic tables. They're also places to camp. I would definitely visit again! read more

Antelope Island State Park - Salt lake and Buffalo - Hiking Near Me - Syracuse, Utah

Love this place. Just about 20 miles from Salt Lake City. It's worth the trip for wonderful views of the Great Salt Lake. You'll see bison along the way and they are a sight to behold. An easy ride and if you like there are hiking trails. Visit this park when you're in town! read more

See all

We just arrived in the area but by the time we got our luggage and car and, grabbed water and snacks. Iit was about 3:30 when we arrived to the park. Stopped several minutes on the causeway to look at the view and photograph birds. The scenery at the park is interesting plus lots of bison. we had hoped to do some short hikes to see what we could find and photograph, but the bugs were as bad as we'd read. we wore long pants even though it was in the mid 90's and used bug spray ect and the bugs were still a problem. The bugs were a swarm the front of our car was covered. they got much worse by the water and near sunset. But the bugs are another reason this is a huge birding spot. Never saw so many birds. We spotted a coyote and several mule deer. all the deer crossed the road and then one went back looking for something .. then we spotted the coyote .. hope it didn't get it's baby. Would love to have had more time to explore but light leaving and the bugs were getting ridiculous. read more

See all

Antelope Island State Park is very beautiful and scenic. The park has hiking trails, camping grounds, a beach, and a restaurant on the beach that serves Hamburgers and Hotdogs. Antelope Island is home to free-ranging Bison, Mule Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Pronghorn (Antelope), and many other desert animals. Antelope Island also has a visitor center with information on the area and wildlife. read more

See all

When I think of a great visitors' center, I think of a place that has interactive exhibits that tell a bit about the area I'm visiting, a staff member or volunteer that is passionate about sharing information and a gift shop. Oh, and a clean, accessible bathroom. The Antelope Island Visitors' Center has all of these things-and it's very clean, to boot! I appreciated the air conditioned oasis in the middle of a very hot and sunny day when I visited. There's also an impressive amount of parking, including a separate ADA parking lot. Not a lot of state parks have such generous parking. read more

Amazing and expansive views of Salt Lake! Don't skip the drive out there if you are near by. $15 per car load, Cash or card. Small gift area on the island. Water still smells rancid but that's just how Salt Lake is! Plan to walk pretty far out if you want to get in to avoid the bugs. Hot with no shade so plan accordingly and bring water. One place for food but construction now on a welcome center that looks like it will be amazing! Wild Buffalo chill along the roadway, lots of areas to explore. Its a huge island! read more

See all

I came here in early May, during gnat season. If you're far enough from the shore, this is a minor issue. However, it was miserable at the beach area. Not a big issue walking down to the water. However, it was so bad on my trek back, that I ran for my life. No matter how fast you run, they swarm you with a constant buzz in your ears, and the itchiness of their collective biting. Not a problem at Fielding Garr Ranch, which I enjoyed as an outdoor historical museum. I also enjoyed seeing a few herds of bison. Other than that, the island is a desert, and the surrounding view of the Great Salt Lake was not a beautiful sight to behold. read more

Absolutely phenomenal! This is a must do excursion if you are in the SLC area. Me and a couple coworkers made the drive out to Antelope Island and were surprised to see this unique and beautiful place. My only regret was we didn't have more time. The herds of bison were amazing, and we even saw an antelope. The ranch on the SE side of the island was so fun to walk around and listen to the history here. read more

See all

Please visit the next time you are in Utah. We saw buffaloes up close, visited the farm, and hiked the most beautiful Dooly knob trail! read more

See all

About pooped my pants today when I saw all the spiders on the island today! During the end of July and throughout August, the orb weavers come to feast on the brine flies. They are literally everywhere. You can't go a foot without seeing one of their webs. It's definitely cool to see , but I'm glad I was prepared for them because there's no way I would be hiking with these things all around me. ...I would take these spiders over the brine flies any day. Hate those things. The hikes are great and everyone has to float in the great salt lake at least once right? I just wish the visitors center was a little more updated. It's a little boring. read more

Antelope Island State Park - Orb weaver - Hiking Near Me - Syracuse, Utah

This review is for Dooly Knob Trail which was a ~2.4 miles round trip that took ~1.5 hours to complete. Steady incline to the top with amazing views of the surroundings! Spotted some bison from afar! There was also a $15 entrance fee to get into Antelope Island State Park. Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/eCFdqBL4y_M read more

See all

There's a gate fee to get into the park. Once we got in we were amazed to see a real-life antelope just walking in the middle of the road. We drove behind it for a half mile before it decided to run off into the grass. Unfortunately, that was our best encounter with wildlife for the rest of the visit. Inside the park we found beautiful views of lakes and open fields. The first stop was our favorite. It has a small parking lot and then a short hike to scenic views. After that, the experience went downhill. We used our park map to drive towards the bison holding pen but never found it. The park signs are few and far between. There were also no park officials anywhere to be seen so we had to make loops around the park for an hour. We drove through campgrounds and ranger stations but could not find our destination. Eventually we gave up and double backed the way we came. We did see a single bison laying in the grass a distance away but that was it. Leaving the park was super difficult due to construction happening right outside the park. read more

Antelope Island State Park - Hiking Near Me - Syracuse, Utah

Great little state park for day trips. If you haven't been lately you should go. Even with the epic snow year and the water coming up some, it's amazing how low the water is still. Great views of the lake and Davis county. I sat in my car with the top down reading a book and watched a summer afternoon storm role through the valley. Saw an Antelope, how appropriate, and multiple bison, along with many birds. Good hiking trails too, nice to hit before it gets too hot. read more

See all

This state park is fabulous. It has a nice mix of trails and views. You can see mountains and the Salt Lake all around. It was a full of quiet, peaceful views. There are a ton of animals to look at. We saw a variety of birds and some of the largest crows I've ever seen. We also saw wild bison and a coyote. I'm sure if we would have kept still we would have seen ever more. There are a few places of interest to park and get out and take in the views. I highly recommend it. The visitor center is a nice place to stop as well. read more

See all

'Ello chaps, Located about 45 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City, you will come to Antelope Island. A closed loop island, 42 square miles in size. It is $15 for per standard vehicle to get entry. If you're into hiking, biking, or exploring the great outdoors, this place is for you. be sure to keep a watchful eye out as you'll see jack rabbits, bison, deer, horses, and a slew of other wild and farm animals. What a great place to explore, especially when the weather is nice. The visitor's center is good spot to drop in, use the restroom and check out the gift shop. There are also a couple of cafes throughout the park. This place is definitely worth the trek over if you're visiting downtown. Make a half day or full day adventure out of it. Overall I give Antelope Island 5 stars out of 5. read more

See all

Visiting from Texas and decided to stop by this park, we are so glad we did! We ended up spending nearly the entire day here. There is so much to do, even if you're not looking to hike. The views are incredible from any point you're at, and there are plenty of restrooms and picnic tables accessible. We went on a Sunday, and the park wasn't crowded at all. Super quiet and peaceful. Next time we are in Utah, I definitely plan on coming back! read more

See all

Its very peaceful here and I would recommend coming here with friends or family it's a nice place to walk around and you can take many pictures read more

Antelope Island State Park - Sunset - Hiking Near Me - Syracuse, Utah

Always on the list of places to take out of town visitors during any season. The wildlife is very photogenic. Take your time, and find that perfect photo. It is there, you just have to find it. The current state of the water level is so sad. I have lived here most of my life and I have never see it like this. But on the bright side , I am taking photos that I have never taken before. It's still beautiful, just in a different way. Take a half day and go experience this unique place. read more

Antelope Island State Park - Reflection in what little water is left. - Hiking Near Me - Syracuse, Utah

See all

On my most recent trip back to where I was raised in Wyoming it was a somber occasion due to a death in the family but on the drive back to Washington I was bound and determined to get some sightseeing in and indeed I did. I wanted to go to the salt flats on the other side of the lake but the drive from Salt Lake City would have taken me too far out of my way from getting home but Antelope Island proved to be perfect as far as distance goes. I spent a couple hours here, enjoyed lunch at the restaurant on the island, took pictures of landscapes, The Great Salt Lake and the historic ranch down on the south part of the island. Admission is $15 to get in but it is so worth it. Be sure and take time to see all the scenic parts from the roads and if you have lots of time take in a nice, long hike! read more

See all