Free roaming bison make Antelope Island State Park is an enjoyable day-trip for the overland and adventurous traveler.
On a November trip to Salt Lake City, Utah I rented a car to explore the nearby mountains. We were heading to Park City for a relaxing weekend in town, but while my wife was working during the day I needed a quick escape… something to get those rented tires dirty!
Overland in Antelope Island State Park
Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake is the largest of the salt lake islands, covering over 40 sq. mi. It is protected by the Antelope Island State Park and includes several types of wildlife including pronghorn, bighorn sheep, porcupine, badger, coyote, bobcat, mule deer, and millions of waterfowl. Most interesting though are the American bison introduced in 1893. The bison herd numbers over 500 and roams freely on the island (exercise caution while driving… the bison don’t yield).
Travel from SLC
From Salt Lake City Airport, Antelope Island is an easy 2 hour drive up I-15. While the drive itself is forgettable (as was my Kia Sorento rental for an overlanding vehicle), views of the Great Salt Lake to your west and the Wasatch Mountain Range to your east are not. Turning west onto Antelope Island Rd, visitors cross a 7-mile causeway. Depending on the lake’s water level you will be surrounded by water with whispy weeds peeking above the water line or a view of the dry, salt-crusted lake bottom. (Tip: driving in the dry lake bed is against the rules… and is also a really bad idea as the dry salt top gives way to a mud and muck below perfectly willing to suck in the unsuspecting tire!)
Antelope Island Rd is paved for most of the island, but if you turn left immediately upon entering the island and head south, the road eventually turns to hard packed dirt tracing the outline of the island. Depending on the season, the road may end abruptly via a locked gate to allow the herd to mate. While there are no official offroad trails for vehicles, there are a few cutoffs leading up the island’s gradual elevation towards Frary Peak and provide several vistas of the Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City and the Wasatch.
Travel Tips for Visiting Antelope Island
Before leaving, visit the “beach” at White Rock Bay Campground where you can walk hundreds of yards upon the crunchy, sometimes flakey, salt bottom of the lake. There is a small snack hut that is sometimes open and public restrooms are available.
Antelope Island makes for a nice day trip and I would recommend allowing 8 hours to see it all (including travel time from SLC). Though food options exist on the island, I would recommend stopping at a local grocer and picking up picnic sundries. Lastly, I recommend you visit during the non-snow months (May – Nov) for the best experience and views. Check with the park for updated closures.
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