Utah is a state rich in history and natural beauty, both of which can be found on Antelope Island State Park, the largest island in the Great Salt Lake.
How to Get There
To get there, drive north on I-15 about one hour from Salt Lake City to exit 332 , then turn west onto Antelope Drive. There is a land bridge connecting Antelope Island to the mainland, and the bridge accessible by car via a toll road. While driving across this bridge, one can see the water of the Great Salt Lake stretching for miles in either direction, as well as notice up close deposits of salt from evaporated lake water.
Visitor's Center
First stop at the visitor’s center for a quick introduction to the area. Visitors can be find descriptions of the local flora and fauna, information on the geography of the island, and to learn about the history of settlement in the area. There is also a scale model of the island, which gives the visitor a perspective as to how big the island is.
Exploring the Park
From the visitor’s center, a road network provides access to other key features on Antelope Island, including boat docks, observation points, trailheads for hiking, and parking lots for the beaches. Walking the beaches is a fun diversion, and the sand stretches far out to the water’s edge. Along the water line there are piles of small crustaceans that have washed up from the lake.
Antelope Island is host to a variety of wildlife. Although antelope were hunted to extinction on the island, the species has been restored to the ecosystem. Buffalo were introduced in 1881, and there are now six hundred buffalo, which are managed by the state. One of the stops on the road network is the buffalo corrals, where visitors can observe and take pictures (from a safe distance) of buffalo roaming the countryside. Each fall the state park hosts a roundup that is open to the public.
Driving south on the island, it is easy to notice that there are no trees, the hills being only covered with desert grasses. The austerity of the rolling hillsides is beautiful. It is also possible to look across the lake to see the snow capped Wasatch Mountains rising to the east.
Fielding Garr Ranch House
The only place on Antelope Island with natural shade is at the Fielding Garr Ranch House. This historic site has a restored farmhouse, barns, cowboy bunkhouse, and a cistern room fed by a stream for keeping food cold. There are many implements on display, including a barn used to shear sheep for their wool. A tourist booth is stationed by volunteers, who provide information as well as sell light refreshments.
More Information
Antelope Island makes for a fun and interesting getaway for the entire family. For more information on visiting Antelope Island, visit the state of Utah’s official website or the website for Utah State Parks. Note that when visiting, make sure to pack along food, water, and toiletries for children, as services are limited.
