Antelope Island

Antelope Island is a beautiful and peaceful place. The Bison are such amazing creatures that shouldn't be taken lightly while on the island. Expect to spend a few hours there while walking around, exploring some of the sights.

This state park could be mistaken for a National Park. Every direction you look, there is stunning scenery (winter 2026). My wife and I showed up at sunrise and the day just kept getting better by the second. The hikes were very manageable and boast stunning panoramic views. I would suggest that all visitors keep a fair distance away from the buffalos as they are were not reluctant to show their displeasure with lifting their heads and partially charging. Take my $15 and run with it, money well spent!

Unbelievable. It makes you emotional with how beautiful it is. We saw nature, history and bison! The reflection from the water was like magic. I had heard there was a bug problem, in January that wasn't at all the case. It was beautiful, memorable and something I am so glad I was able to get the chance to spend the day there. Definitely a must see place!

This was a blast! I saw buffalo scattered throughout the area. I had no idea this was a place to camp too. They had lots of covered picnic tables, places to build fires and very clean restrooms throughout. I had to wonder about camping in same area as wild animals are roaming. I really want to try it next spring. The water was really low. I think because of the time of year. I have heard the Great Salt Lake is slowly disappearing so that might be part of it too. I enjoyed driving around and there are lots of trails to hike.

I recently went camping and hiking at Antelope Island, and it was such a peaceful experience! 🌅 If you love nature and hiking videos, check out my YouTube channel @IamOnePOV — I uploaded my full Lakeside Loop Trail adventure there. The views are breathtaking, the lake looks unreal during sunset, and nighttime is perfect for stargazing. There aren’t many big trees, so I’d suggest booking a site with some shade if you visit in summer. Highly recommend spending a weekend here — it’s one of Utah’s hidden gems! 🌄

Our visit was so fun. The buffalo were close to the road, a coyote was chasing cars like a dog and the sunset was gorgeous off the lake.

I got to bring a photography group here from one of our Junior highs and they had the best experience ever it was really beautiful to visit and enjoy the history.

Very unique park! After driving the causeway, we were immediately greeted by several bison and a herd of antelope! We visited mid September, on a Friday and it was not busy. The temporary visitor center is in a small building at the marina while their main visitor center is undergoing renovations. We camped in Bridger Bay campground (no water currently due to VC renovations), and our camping fee ($20 + $8 fee) covered our causeway toll.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

Another beautiful park. At first the drive was like "meh" but once you get in you start to see the whole lake. What's even better was seeing the bison roam the park. Saw a few of them which the trip worth it. Check them out when in the area.

If I could give this place 10 stars, I would. We had a beautiful day here. Literally spent about 6 hours here driving, hiking, and exploring. We saw about a million bison, some antelope, and a coyote! Sadly no porcupines though. What a gorgeous place to visit. I'll definitely be back and hopefully next time I'll have access to an ebike.

Bring your bug spray! The bugs are strong here. Overall a nice place to hike and drive around to sight see. Bison are everywhere and you can get pretty up close in your car. Antelope are scarce but we did manage to see a few. Some great trails with buffalo point trail being my favorite. Great views!

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

Incredible park. Fine for even people with mobility issues to participate. Lots of the park is road. We enjoyed leisurely driving through the park and finding pronghorn and bison. I recommend bringing drinks and food for your adventure. I also brought a swim suit and swam in the great salt lake. They have a bath house to change in and outdoor shower in. The visitor center is currently closed and restaurant is closed some days of the week so make sure to check before you go.

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.

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.

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!

Antelope island was my favorite, especially in the summer! Although there are too many spiders the size of 50 cent coins and a carpet of bugs everywhere that did not in fact swarm us, I felt right at home. We saw buffalo, if that doesn't get you excited, I don't know what will. The sunset was particularly exquisite! It was especially special to watch it from the top of the mountain after a short hike. The colors blessed my eyes as it reflected off of the water. What a sight! We played Minecraft too.

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.

Visiting Antelope Island State Park is like traveling to another planet - unique and wonderful, with spectacular scenery and wildlife. We have loved visiting Antelope Island for hiking, mountain biking, photography, and sailing. It's also fun to visit the Garr Ranch and learn about the people who once lived on Antelope Island and ranched there. The views of the Great Salt Lake are incredible, and it's remarkable to see the Great American Bison freely roaming on Antelope Island.

Cheap way to spend a couple of hours. I was scared to get too close and make any bison mad, but were able to get great up close view of multiple herds. We tried to walk out to the lake but we didnt have the right footwear to get close enough. Don't forget your bug spray like I did. ‍

Great place to be at outdoors. Not too long of a drive from Salt Lake City. Great views and a wonderful experience.

We came down in the evening to see the sunset and check out the park. $15 entry fee per car. Lots f beautiful views. Wildlife of rabbits, buffalo, antelope, little lizards and lot of birds. We didn't have a lot of time to spend but it was a cool place to see. Since we got there in the evening the visitor center was closed but the park is open u til 10pm. Calm and peaceful.

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.

Check in at gate as we didn't book ahead was good. Campsite and facilities were very nice. Variety of loops. Bad no-see-ums right now. Large site sizes with shade structure over picnic tables. Very unique park with quite a history. Worth coming out of your way! Saw deer, buffalo and coyote. Lotsa song birds, too. Beautiful scenery of the great salt lake and surrounding mountains.

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.

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!

Hiking trails for different levels of experience. Informative visitors center. There's a little bit of a trek to get down to the beach area. A beach snack bar with the usual burgers and fries. The ranch takes you back in time, nice looking picnic areas. Looks like a good biking route. As we saw several bikers. And let's not forget the many bison. They shouldn't bother you if you stay away from them. A true must see, if visiting the area.

Beautiful - breathtaking and so many bison to ogle at !!! I would highly recommend the drive there and taking time for many walks!

Randomly found this place looking for a place to crash. It was rated well and had some really awesome reviews. Okay, so we went in September. As we crossed the bridge to get onto the island we smelt this horrible stench. The water is pretty much all dried up but just enough to attract every buzzing annoying critter. Mosquitos own that island. We were eaten alive we couldn't even hang outside. On the plus side we saw an amazing sunrise, sunset, and some Bison. Would love to visit this place someday when there's water! Relaxing and quiet.

A must see location. It's driving/hiking/walking/biking friendly. We didn't get the opportunity to see Antelope but we got the privilege to watch bison casually cross the road. The views here are amazing & it's only 1 hour away from Salt Lake City. I've heard sunsets here are very beautiful. Things you should know: I. PARKING There's a lot of shoulders off of the side of the road you can stop on to look at wild life or to have a scenic picnic III. CAPACITY We went in late March. It's still quite a bit chilly, so the beach was closed (naturally) and the crowds of people were relatively minimal.

This is a really nice island to come a camp around, see this small animal refuge sanctuary. I got to see several buffaloes and a fox, looking forward to coming in spring or summer.

A beautiful & unique state park that is a must visit if in the greater SLC area. My wife & I had a full day to explore the area & spent about 4 hours here driving the road & doing a quick hike & walk to the edge of the lake. My only warning would be if you go out onto the salt flat. The mosquitos here are INSANE I've never seen such massive & vicious biters, I had on jeans & a lightweight jacket & they were forming clumps on me trying to get my sweet life nectar. I was trying to get some landscape shots from out on the salt & the mosquitos were so bad I had to bail & run back to the car lol Bison herds are everywhere & come up the roads. Make sure you do some reading on the history of the island & stop by the ranch,l. Very cool!

This park sounds like a great idea based on the satellite images and reviews, but in fact it was a waste of $15 and more importantly - our time. It sort of looked like White Sands in New Mexico except surrounded by a lake and full of bison. There's a coastal drive through the island but it's just miles of nothingness and there isn't even a point in hiking here - you'll see more nothingness, and maybe some more buffalo. The other side of the island has a cafe and beach access, but it's not the beach where you want to spend time. Overall, I can't say there's anything worth seeing in this park and I'd suggest to go to state parks and scenic byways near Park City. So. Much. Better.

I had an absolute blast with my wife get the state park pass and you can go to any state park for free it was like 140 for year i belive

AMAZING place of natural Serenity and gorgeous wonders. They say the lake is becoming a toxic wasteland it's sad because it's gorgeous. It is located right outside the city not 15 minutes from her hotel. It's pretty isolated but you feel safe because you can run the roads see bison up close to the antelope roam. It was the highlight of our business trip. Go there. And respect the wildlife please.

This is a designated Dark Skies Park! The view of the cosmos is breath-taking and on a clear night you can see all the Northern Hemispheres constellations. During the spring, summer and fall you may be battling with mosquitoes and biting gnats. Bring the protection. Enjoy!

Lots of buffalo today, but you don't want to get close. We came first thing in the morning, and beat the rush of cars at the pay station. We followed the map they gave us at the ranger station, and ended up starting farther away than the actual trail head for Lake Side Trail. This was the perfect trail to get an overview of The Great Salt Lake from the East to the West. We walked 6.7 miles. The trail is rated easy, and it is, except for a few rocky patches. There was one point where we had to pass by a buffalo (bison) that was laying really close to to actual trail. It was scary. And of course there wasn't anyone around we could "group" walk with, so I felt my fear, and walked as fast as I could past him. Whew. This trail does not have any shade, but it does pass a few day pavilions (picnic tables with a cover over top. Bathrooms are only available by the campsites unless you drive over to the "Ranch" or "Visitors Center, and are well kept. Coming up on the North side of the trail we were parallel to around 8 to 10 maybe even more bison. We needed to get back to our car, and said "How are we going to get around these guys?" We decided to walk past them gradually climbing the hill (way out of their way) to get to our car, and forego the rest of the planned trail. As we were just starting out on our unplanned detour, some lady in a mini van started yelling at me, telling me to get away from the buffalo. Didn't I know they can charge you, and get up to 30 miles an hour in seconds???? I don't like being yelled at especially when that is what I was already doing! Geez. Lake is extremely low, especially on the East side of the causeway. Sad actually, but if you are anywhere near the Great Salt Lake, you should go out, and explore the many trails, the history, the different types of animals. the wonder of the lake, and where the buffalo roam fee.

Just amazing! The views and wilderness out here are gorgeous, even more fun was meeting the bison! What gorgeous creatures they are! If I had an RV this would be top on my list to visit! How cool would it be to watch these lovely bison all day? Was hoping to catch a view of other animals, but perhaps it's not the right time of year.

This stunning state park is only an hour outside of Salt Lake City proper. If you find yourself in this area and have some time to spend, this is where you should spend it. I was on my way to the airport when I was hit with a flight delay. Since my rental car still had some time left on it, I decided to get some sightseeing in. I was enamored by this spot thanks to Yelp reviews and Instagram posts. It costs a mere $15 to enter by car and, yes, they do take card. It was a bit sad to see how devastated the Great Salt Lake is by the drought that is going on, but I did get to catch a glimpse of water which is what I was hoping to see. Unfortunately, I did not see any of the titular antelopes or any bison, but I did get to take in the scenery and relax a bit before my flight home.

What a complete hidden gem this state park is. We were on our way to Idaho and saw this park on our route there and decided to stop and eat our lunch in the car.. Wildlife here is so great. There's random bison and sheep and other animals just roaming the area. Our first stop was a high point lookout that gave us amazing views. We were able to watch a couple of animals (not sure what they were) grazing and heading towards humans. They are definitely accustomed to their visitors. There's also a bunch of light "off road" trails that was fun to put our 4wd SUV through. The best feature - parking and walking the huge "beach" to the edge of Salt Lake. The smell is memorable, and when you get to water's edge, it's such a surreal feeling because the water seemed to be fake. There was no wind and the surface of the water was completely still. The only noise was the chatter that came from some of the humans that were smattered across the playa. I wouldn't do it, but saw a couple of gals walk into the water in their swimsuits and try to float on the water. Looked like it worked too. But wasn't about to get in the water. I had this childhood feeling of the Loch Ness monster breaching and coming up for air! But really, must stop here if you're ever in the area!

Wow what a state park this is.. despite paying $15 per vehicle I don't find it bad at all because the views and hikes are all so wonderful. From watch birds and Buffalo all over the island.. to the historic 133 year old ranch up in the mountain definitely a must visit if your a tourist or even a local in Utah. WARNING - There are tons of flys and ones in specific called Gnats and they are no joke just make sure to bring a bottle of bug repellent and you should be fine. (:

People generally think state parks are pure green. However, this state park is a plain. It is surrounded by the salt lake and when approaching summer, the lake has this horrid smell, but it is just the lake and not the rest of the park. There are roaming bisons, so be careful. I got a little scared when a bison was approaching my car. The views here are insane from anywhere in the park. If you are lucky, then you might see a deer prancing around. They seem so elegant and I almost missed it because it was so quiet. There are a variety of hikes ranging from easy to hard. There is usually an indicator of it before you start and on the map. The peaks of the hike is worth the sweat and breathlessness. I used to come here around once a week when I moved here. There are restroom buildings scattered throughout the park for convenient use. I would definitely come back if I ever visit Utah. It was a different type of calmness, especially from the chaotic lifestyle of a big city like Los Angeles.

Stunning, peaceful place to experience wildlife, fantastic lake and mountain views, and solitude. Bison are plentiful, so keep your distance. Frary Peak is a butt-kicker but the panoramic views at the top are unbelievable! The Lake Side Trail is an easy hike to enjoy lake views. Be sure to catch sunset if possible! The water is so still and not many people visit, so it's a great escape from more populated areas of the SL valley. But this park is quite exposed for hiking, nearly no shade, so the summer is not a good time to visit. It's also rather buggy, so come prepared with a head net and bug spray, or come in the winter when the bugs are gone.

We were only in Salt Lake City for half a day and when I looked up where the best view of the lake was, this state park was the answer. We didn't spend a ton of time here, but we came to do the Buffalo Lake Trail. It was only about a mile long and pretty easy. It had great views of the lake! It had a bit of a haze over it and looked almost mystical to me. We also saw what I think was an antelope on the side of the trail. There are also bison at the park and we saw some roaming off the side of the road. There is a $15/car entrance fee to get in. It felt a little steep compared to other state parks out west (or in NC where they're free), but it was worth it. This is a great place to stop while in Salt Lake City!

We went when it was super quiet (and cold) so hardly any people traffic, which was nice since we were able to see more of nature. Loved it

Beautiful area of nature birds and buffalos too. It was chilly but once sun came out gorgeous. Biting gnats are around and stay until it's 90 outside. Resilient little guys.

So happy I made the choice to come here! I had to see the great salt lake before leaving the area. So I woke up early to make the drive to visit. It costs $15 per vehicle to enter but was worth the views and the photos I got! I drove around the roads and within minutes once entering antelope island came up next to a buffalo that was along the road side. I continued along and got some awesome photos, visited the gift shop and overheard the lady that worked there say that everyone shouldn't miss the buffalo trail so I made sure to go before heading out. Buffalo trail is a hike up a hill to get some really awesome views. It wasn't a far hike but definitely got my blood pumping. I took tons of photos and even saw some antelope mating prior to driving away. What a cool place!

We visited beautiful Antelope Island, UT ( @antelopeislandstatepark ) today. Since we haven't been leaving the state, we have been checking off all of the things on MY bucket list! (John is from Utah, so he's already been all over! #luckyducky lol) I've been wanting to go there so bad, but would always forget! So glad we DID today, before all of the crazy wind, rain and thunder, because going there was like walking into a postcard!!! There are white sandy beaches, beautiful hills, plains, birds, wild bison roaming (and, from what a couple of elderly seniors have told me, antelope and mountain goats/sheep are there too!). It was a much needed peaceful change of pace. For a small $15/vehicle fee, you are able to take in all of the above, as well as walk through a gift shop/museum, a restaurant and plenty of bathrooms. We will def need to go back and check out this cute "little village," that someone mentioned, but the wind, rain and thunder was getting to be too much, so we just started to head back. The experience really took me back to being in the Oregon Coast, so I thought it was lovely, but my driver didn't share the sentiment. lol Thank you for being there #AntelopeIsland ! You sure were a nice getaway!

Have you ever been somewhere spectacular with very few people, and you wonder where are all the people at? It always amazes me how some places that aren't that special are packed with people while some of my absolute favorite places barely have anyone exploring them. Here you will see hundreds of bison's roaming and you might even get to see them closer than you feel comfortable with. Antelope Island is only forty minutes outside of Salt Lake City. We loved walking down to the Great Salt Lake where it is five times saltier than the ocean and if you chose to you could get in and float in it. There are many short trails to explore and choose from. We really enjoyed Buffalo Point Trail which is only one mile in and out.

So glad we made a trip to Antelope Island. This place is far from what I was expecting. If I would have known, I would have camped here as well. There were numerous vacant camping lots and seen one dump station. There are Bisons here. Most were scattered and the larger groups were at a distance. If you get lucky you might come across a herd in close proximity. The view is ridiculous. Eye popping. You must bring a camera.

Hubby and I wanted to see the Great Salt Lake before leaving Utah, and found Antelope Island State Park. What a pleasant surprise! The drive was beautiful and the vistas were amazing. We drove all the way down to the old ranch and saw wildlife along the way. Definitely worth a trip to see.

Beautiful, Salty and Buggy. No seriously, it was quite beautiful in so many ways but dem bugs (aka No-See-Ums) be buggin' everyone out. We so desperately wanted to explore more of the outdoors on foot but those pesky little things were having a feast! Should have done some research ahead of time...post-visit we learned that the biting gnats (No-See-Ums) are out until around 6/27/19 and head-nets or at least a hat are the best defense against them. Hmm...no wonder why all the workers were wearing them...lol. Anyway, it cost us $10 to get into the park. They have a really nice visitors center to help educate you on the evolution of the Great Salt Lake...it's actually pretty fascinating! They also have a nice short movie about the GSL. Lots of photos adorned the walls featuring island habitat...most of which were for sale for $95 a pop. When we did quickly explore the land, the birds were absolutely crazy! There were so many nests at the top of the ceiling as you entered the visitor's center! So cool! One extra bonus...we were lucky enough to see some Bison! Dang those are some big beasts! And yo, if you wanna fly a drone over all this beauty? You can get a permit at the visitor center for a nominal fee. Definitely recommend if you're in the area...just be sure to bring some netting depending on when you visit! ;-)