Antelope Island State Park Park

Address: Antelope Island State Park, Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA

Website: https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/antelope-island/

Hours: Daily 6am-10pm (check Utah State Parks for seasonal variations)

Admission: $15 vehicle day-use fee (current as of 2024; check Utah State Parks for exact rates).

Antelope Island State Park is a state park on the largest island in the Great Salt Lake, located in Davis County, Utah. It is a regional recreational area known for open-space access and visible wild ungulates.

The park offers a mix of activities including hiking, wildlife viewing, scenic drives and lakeside beaches. Trails lead to viewpoints such as Frary Peak and there are several shoreline areas for viewing the lake. A paved causeway connects the island to the mainland, providing direct vehicle access.

The island has supported free-roaming bison and other native mammals across the 20th and 21st centuries; these animals are a principal feature of the park. Over time the island has been managed for recreation, wildlife conservation and public access.

Geographically the island sits in the northern part of the Great Salt Lake, within easy driving distance of Salt Lake City to the south; the causeway links it to the mainland near the city of Syracuse, Utah.

• Access: Reached by a paved causeway from the mainland; vehicle access is the usual way to visit the island.
• Best viewpoint: Frary Peak provides the island’s highest viewpoint and is a common hiking destination with panoramic lake views.
• Wildlife viewing: Free-roaming bison are a high-profile attraction; sightings are common across the island but approach at a distance for safety.

Drive north from Salt Lake City on I-15 to Syracuse, then follow signs to Antelope Island State Park and the causeway (State Route 127). The causeway crosses the lake and leads directly to the park’s main visitor areas such as Buffalo Point.

• Arrive early (sunrise is spectacular) to avoid the largest crowds and watch bison grazing at dawn.
• Drive the causeway (State Route 127) and stop at the visitor centre (Buffalo Point) for park maps and ranger advice.
• Bring binoculars and a camera with a telephoto lens for wildlife; maintain safe distances from bison and other wildlife.