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Antelope Island State Park is an island in Davis County. It features beautiful scenery, loads and loads of hiking opportunities for every skill level and more wildlife than you can shake a stick at. Seriously if you do not see ANY wildlife, you have terrible luck!
We’re both recovering from the plague so we decided we would do this scenic drive and maybe a couple of the shorter trails today so we don’t overexert ourselves. We try to make it a point to go out to the island at least once a year since we enjoy it so much.
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, if 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 new bridge for West Davis is coming along (Passenger Seat Photography (PSP)).
Speaking of which, they have started working on where it will cross Antelope Dr. (PSP). I was pretty opposed to the West Davis project, and well, still am. But I can see how
this might make getting to the island a little easier.
Yay. Short line today (PSP).
Just outside the State Park is one of those neat artistic bison statues that showed up all over downtown during the Olympics (PSP). I know of at least 3 more on the island. But it totally makes sense that quite a few of them ended up here.
The Adventure:
Onto the causeway (PSP).
Showing how shallow the lake is (PSP).
I think that is Freemont Island and Promontory Point (PSP).
Frary Peak (PSP).
The marina has water again (PSP). Yay!
We got stuck behind a bison crossing (PSP). It happens here, but not nearly as often as it does in Yellowstone.
Real bison walk past a bison statue (PSP). The 2nd Bison statue in the park. The 3rd is just to the right, but I didn't catch it until the way out.
I like this shot with the park sign (PSP).
Right will take you towards the north end of the island towards the visitor center. Left will head towards the south end of the island and Fielding Garr Ranch. Our dogs were getting really excited so we decided to go right first towards Lady Finger Point.
More bison preparing to cross the road (PSP).
Road side bison (PSP).
We did a quick hike out to Ladyfinger Point.
Continuing along the north end (PSP).
We made a quick stop at the visitor center to use the restroom. There are pit toilets at Ladyfinger Point but there was a long line for some reason. So we went here instead and had running water to wash our hands as a bonus.
This is my favorite bison statue. The 3rd one today.
Deer statue with the causeway in the background.
The lake is a nice color today.
Whelp time to get on with it.
Bridger Bay through a bug stained windshield (PSP).
We decided to skip the northeast section for now (PSP). It’s pretty and worth doing but we’ve done it. Also do you see those little specs on the hillside?
Antelope.
Most of them all together now.
1 male, 10 female.
The lake (PSP). We decided to head towards the south end of the island via the east side road.
Bison off in the distance (PSP).
Some on the hillside above (PSP). We were stuck in a wildlife jam for a few minutes.
Continuing south (PSP).
Passing Beacon Knob (PSP).
Mountain views (PSP).
Frary Peak (the highest point on the island) and Dooley Knob (PSP).
It does not appear that this neat formation is named (PSP). But it is neat.
Closer look at Dooley Knob (PSP). That is a spur trail off of the Frary Peak Trail.
The unnamed formation again (PSP).
Through the sage brush (PSP).
The hills above (PSP).
Lone bison (PSP).
Little closer (PSP).
The Sentry (PSP).
We reached Fielding Garr Ranch (PSP). We decided to get out and explore it again.
After that little adventure we checked and the gate to the South Island Road was closed so we decided to head back north. The south road takes you to several trails including The Sentry and the South Island Trail. The road itself is not a bad hike either when the gate is closed.
Back on the road heading north again (PSP).
The mountains across the lake bed (PSP). The lake reached a new historic low back in October, but we had a record breaking snow fall this year. It’s already come up about 4 feet, hopefully it comes up quite a few more.
Bison in the distance (PSP).
Before long we reached the turnoff for our next destination, Frary Homestead (PSP).
The Frary Homestead is another fun short side adventure.
Continuing north we pass by Dooley Knob again (PSP).
Beacon Knob as well (PSP). I am not sure why Beacon Knob has that name. I understand the Beacon part of it, with a weather station and aviation beacon, but its a wide flat peak so the knob part is what doesn’t make sense to me.
Mountains across the lake bed (PSP).
I love all the little dry islands (PSP).
As well as all of the little bays (PSP).
Bison (PSP).
The lake is a bit wider here (PSP).
That is due to only having a few small openings in the causeway that allows the water to flow through (PSP).
Little closer (PSP).
More bison (PSP).
Antelope (PSP).
More (PSP).
The rest of the herd.
Here comes the male.
I think this is all of them.
He was approaching the road when somebody pulled over right in front of him and startled him back.
Going back.
They were pretty close to the road right now, but I decided to pull out the telephoto to zoom a little closer. I think I see a small set of antlers on the one in back.
Such beautiful creatures.
The males backside.
Byeeee!!!! (PSP).
Bison (PSP).
If you know what to look for you just might catch a burrowing owl. So freaking cute!
Looking away.
Facing towards me again.
Bridger Bay again (PSP).
It’s so sandy through here (PSP).
At the 2nd site we found another burrowing owl. Hello cutey! This one is a little closer so little better shots. Last year we found a pair here.
Looking off to the side.
Facing me again.
Ahhh!!!! OMG I totally did not notice it at the time, but I did catch the pair! Hello cutie pies! The female popped her head up from behind the boulders a couple times. I didn't realize that until going through my photos. In my defense they are small, and a little ways away.
I just want to take them home with me! I wouldn’t, but man I want to.
From my understanding, the males tend to spend more time outside of the burrow and can be bleached by the sunlight. So the male is on the right.
I love how serious they look.
I found this spot by a series of lucky happenstance last year, seriously just pure luck that started with an antelope sighting, a random bird Landis was interested in, and me noticing some “unusual looking boulders”. Then a fellow birder let me know about the other site. I will say, once you discover the sites, it is a million times easier to find these guys!
Ahh! I love him.
I moved. o.O
Back to looking around.
The lady friend popping out again.
Well, I managed to peel myself away from the owls.
Bison above the lake (PSP).
Another bison (PSP).
Another (PSP).
A few of them (PSP).
Another (PSP).
The visitor center from below (PSP).
The parks new sign and the last bison statue you can find (PSP). Or probably the 2nd one you will see.
Heading back across the causeway (PSP).
The lake (PSP).
Looking back at the island (PSP).
Lone stump (PSP).
The bridge being built that will connect to West Davis (PSP).
The island again (PSP).
Downtown SLC (PSP).
Well that was a fun day! And another amazing wildlife day! The only thing missing was a great horned owl. It wasn’t super busy today, and we had some fun along some of the shorter trails I meant to do Buffalo Point again as it has been a long time, but we didn’t get around to it today. Maybe next time. Anyway fun day 10 out of 10 squirrels.
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