Antelope Island: Scenic Drive 2022

 Antelope Island is an amazing island oasis located just about a half hour north of Salt Lake City, in Davis County. It has a bunch of neat history to learn about, loads of wildlife, and a lot of fun trails to explore. I had planned to hike The Sentry today, but when we saw the South Island Road was open, we decided to do the South Island Trail again before the biting gnats come out. Unfortunately, I was mistaken, and the biting gnats are already out for the season, so hiking was out today. But, we happened to have a particularly epic wildlife day just exploring the island, so it was not a total loss. I try to make it out here at least once a year, so we see it often.

Scenic Drive Details

Length: The causeway is approximately 7 miles. Then the island can be split into two sections for driving. The north end has a 4 mile loop with about 2 miles of spurs up to Buffalo Point and down to White Rock Bay. Then the East side down south is about 10 miles down to Fielding Garr Ranch with an additional 4.5 miles further south on dirt roads, if the gate is open, as well as a few spurs out to a few items of interest.
Time Needed: At least 2 hours, depending on how much exploring your do.
Road Conditions: Mostly paved, standard 2 way roads. 4.5 miles of dirt roads.
Summit: NA
Restrooms: There are a mix of flush and pit toilets scattered throughout.
Interesting Things: Wildlife, history, and loads of trails to explore.
Other Info: fee area. $15.00 per car. Also, the biting gnats are out - nothing really helps prevent bites.

To Get Here:

take i15 to Antelope Island Drive (exit 332) in Layton, head west. Pay the fee just before the causeway, then cross that onto the island.

The Adventure:

Passing by downtown SLC (Passenger Seat Photography (PSP)).

The ranger shacks at the beginning of the causeway (PSP). Looks like, at least for the moment, the secondary lane is cash only.

The causeway (PSP).

The island through a dirty windshield (PSP).

The Marina is bone dry (PSP).

I was a little mad they took the sign down (PSP). But, after thinking about it for a minute, it appears to be getting an upgrade.

Here is what it looked like last year (PSP).

Heading down the East Side Ranch Road, with some bison in the distance (PSP).

Whoa! I am accustomed to seeing small groups of bison out on the lake bed, but this is the first time I have seen the whole herd out there.

Beacon Knob (PSP). Through a dirty window, oops haha.

Frary Peak and Dooley Knob (PSP).

Different angle (PSP).

Neat rock outcropping (PSP).

Frary Peak (PSP). Just a little further to the south is the turnoff for the Frary Homestead which is a fun little adventure.

Continuing along the East Side Ranch Road (PSP). You can see downtown SLC from here.

Bison jam (PSP). These are almost as common on the island as they are in Yellowstone.

Starting to see the Oquirrh Mountains (PSP).

 A couple of bison out on the lake bed (PSP). This is more what I am used to seeing.

We decided to stop at Fielding Garr Ranch.

Back on the road, and leaving the pavement behind, as we start on the South Island Road (PSP).

Driving past a bison (PSP).

Heading along the dirt road (PSP). There are few really bumpy parts, but otherwise it’s pretty smooth.

Looking back towards The Sentry (PSP).

Starting to get a better view of the Oquirrhs (PSP).

Fun little peak (PSP).

The road again (PSP).

Molly’s Nipple (PSP).

Daddy Stump Ridge (PSP).

The last leg (PSP).

The other side of Molly’s Nipple (PSP).

We reached the end of the road, and had planned on continuing on foot…

Downtown SLC and the old causeway. We walked down that as far as you can get last year, not a whole lot to it.

The South Island Trail starts here in this opening in the fence.

Little spring.

Molly’s Nipple again. Last time we were here, we did not know what this peak was called, and had a few choice, 12 year old brain ideas. Turns out the actual name was in line with that.

Before long the trail join the old dirt road, which is now the trail.

Molly’s Nipple again. It is just a neat looking peak.

The trail, heading south.

Downtown again.

Suddenly, we were absolutely inundated with the no see ums. We did not, in fact, make it to the island before they emerged. So, we decided to high tail it back to the car.

The old causeway. 

Downtown.

Molly’s Nipple again.

Well, we were unable to complete the South Island trail today, but here it is from last year.

Here is what you can expect in the winter months when the South Island Dirt Road is closed.

Back on the road.

Another little spring (PSP).

Heading along the road (PSP).

We stopped by the trailhead for The Sentry hoping the bugs aren’t bad here. But they were.

Took another shot of downtown.

Bison (PSP). And back to paved road.

Another one (PSP).

This guy is surrounded by pretty yellow birds (PSP). I didn’t get a real clear image, but I think they might be yellow headed blackbirds.

Bison on the lake bed (PSP).

We stopped by the 8 mile trailhead and enjoyed some bison in the distance.

Lizard!

Bison on the lake bed (PSP).

I thought I saw something, but ended up making Landis pull over for a random nest.

The big herd of bison out on the lake bed (PSP).

The Jordan River flowing across the dry lake bed (PSP).

Where it flows through the opening in the causeway (PSP). I think now we are technically on the North Island side.

Heading towards White Rock Bay (PSP).

We thought maybe we could do the Lakeside Trail, or maybe even The Bone Road Trail. But nope, the gnats are still terrible up here. Other options here include The White Rock Loop (which we have not done yet) and the Buffalo Point Trail. As well as some additional things you can add after doing the Bone Road Trail.

Heading back toward the Visitor Center we spotted some antelope on the ridge (PSP).

By the time I got my telephoto lens on, the females had moved on, but I caught the male (PSP).

Off he goes (PSP).

We found a road that allowed us to watch them a little longer (PSP).

Antelope butts.

The male again.

I really like this shot.

The male and females.

Suddenly, things were different.

We uh, witnessed the rut again. We saw something like this in Vernal.

The females don’t seem to want to make it easy for the male.

But he pursues.

Not quite as comical as it was when we witnessed this in Vernal, but still silly.

The other female.

After moving around the hill towards the visitor center, we noticed one of the antelopes again, and pulled over again.

Hello lady!

While we were here, Landis kept trying to pull my attention to that bird on the left, and while scanning for it (I never found it until this shot) I noticed that those two boulders on the right don’t seem right….

Language warning:

HOLY FUCKING SHIT!!!! Through a series of random events, I finally saw my first burrowing owls! And not just one, but a pair!!! AHHH They are so cute! Sorry, language, but I have been trying to see these guys for forever now, and I am super stoked!

Digitally cropped in a little closer.

One looking the other way, and the other giving me the stink eye.

I love them so much!!!

I guess the lighter colored one is most likely the male. Since they spend more time out of the burrow and get a bit sun bleached.

Grooming.

Considering they are going about their business pretty much proves I am far enough away. I really did want to get closer so I could get better shots, but I didn’t want to disturb them.

One of them moved over to this post, I imagine to get a better view.

Now they are too far from each other to zoom in on them both.

Next to the artificial burrow rangers have placed for them.

I digitally cropped this shot in a little tighter to show off this cute fella.

The antelope again.

Balancing on one leg.

Switch!

Wing stretch. I guess I caught him during his calisthenics routine.

I guess an owl on a post is more interesting than one on the ground. But this one is still hanging out too.

Grooming.

Then it’s time for a nap.

The pair of them.

So angry looking!

Alright, I managed to pull myself away from them. But that made our entire trip worth it! I have been wanting to see a burrowing owl for so long, they are so so small so I was starting to think it would never happen. What a wonderful random set of circumstances that led us to see these adorable creatures.

We made it up to the visitor center, but it was closed for the day. View of Bridger Bay from it.

Another antelope.

Another animal that I randomly discovered that squats to use the restroom. o.O

Seriously dude, did you just watch me pee?

Ahem… sorry about that.

Up on the ridge.

Buffalo Bay.

Again. I didn’t want to get much closer as we discovered the biting gnats like to attack if you get into the weeds.

The visitor center. Recent story on the news says they plan on building a new one soon.

One of the fun bison statues that popped up around the 2002 Olympics.

Buffalo Bay again.

Neat deer statue.

The causeway.

I decided we should go check out the owls again before we leave.

The owls appeared to have retreated to their burrow, but I met a nice guy who was waiting for them to go out. He was surprisingly very open about sharing his secret spots with me, so I learned a couple great tips and was very thankful.

I took a couple shots of the man made den the rangers had provided while we were talking, I did not notice this sneaky little guy was out! Hello again friend.

While we went on a wild goose chase to another burrowing owl site my new friend told us about, I found a random bison.

I am almost certain we found the other nesting site, but did not see any owls.

We decided to go back the the first one again to see if they decided to come out, hooray! Hello friend.

Grooming.

Such a handsome guy.

Pretty bird.

The visitor center as we pass by Lady Finger Point (PSP).

Deer (PSP).

With that, today we saw just about every animal you can expect to encounter in the park! Well, almost anyway.

Buffalo Bay again (PSP).

Heading back across the causeway (PSP).

Even though we didn’t really get to hike in, I had a great time today, and really enjoyed all the wildlife, particularly my first encounter with burrowing owls! Antelope Island is scenic enough to enjoy as a scenic drive, and honestly in the warmer months, probably the only way to really enjoy the island. 10 out of 10 squirrels today, even with the no see um bites I am still nursing.

As for difficulty, well, today was mostly get out and look, so DR2. But if you add a trail it can bump up to 3 or higher.

Dogs are allowed, but must remain on a leash no longer than 6 feet.