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You’ve heard of Salt Lake City right? Utah’s capital city is a hub in the west. You probably know it as home to the world’s Mormon population and amazing Winter snow sports.

But did you know there is actually a Great Salt Lake that sits just outside of the city? They had to name the city after something of course.

Now, this is where it gets interesting. Did you know that you can drive across the Great Salt Lake onto an an island? An island home to wild roaming animals, windswept cliffs and even sandy beaches?

Neither did I! Until I went there and it blew my mind.

 

Have you heard about Antelope Island State Park?

35 photos that will make you want to visit Antelope Island State Park.

 

The-Great-Salt-Lake,-Utah

The Great Salt Lake stretches out for miles. It looks like water but it’s a hard salt crust. The white stuff on the shore? Yup, that’s salt too.

Antelope Island State Park Sign

Welcome to the park!

 

 

Reuben-Adventuring,-Antelope-Island-State-Park
My little explorer, adventuring around Antelope Island State Park.

Panorama,-Antelope-Island,-Great-Salt-Lake

This panorama of the island from the Visitors’ Center shows the causeway that stretches from the island back to the mainland.

Antelope-Statue,-Antelope-Island-State-Park

There are some great statues near the visitor’s center on Antelope Island, including this one of an Antelope. We didn’t see the real thing during our visit to the island but this was close enough.

Cyclist,-Antelope-Island-State-Park

Lots of cyclists head the the island for weekend rides.

 
Picture Window at Visitors Center, Antelope Island State Park Utah

A picture window outside the Visitors’ Center helps you line up a great shot of the snowy mountains in the distance. We visited in Winter so there was quite a bit of snow to be seen but the island itself didn’t have any visible snow.

Trail Map, Antelope Island State Park Utah

Pick up a map of the trails and roads around the park to help you find your way.

The Causeway, Antelope Island State Park Utah

Another great view of the Causeway linking the island to the main land. The Causeway itself is 7 miles long and level with the lake the whole way.


Sandy-Beach,-Antelope-Island-State-Park

One of the sandy beaches on Antelope Island. It’s a little hard to tell where the beach end and the salt begins.

Looking Out to the Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island State Park Utah

Looking out at the Great Salt Lake.

Bethaney & Reuben, Buffalo Point, Antelope Island State Park

The short trail at Buffalo Point is easy to walk even with small kids.

View from Buffalo Point, Antelope Island State Park Utah

And offers a sweeping view of the other side of the Island.

 

 

Reuben, Buffalo Point Trail, Antelope Island State Park Utah

Perfect for photo ops!

 

 

Stop Sign, Antelope Island State Park Utah

Driving around the island is pretty easy.

 

 

Beautiful Clouds, Antelope Island State Park Utah

And there are beautiful views at practically every turn.

 

 

Island Interior, Antelope Island State Park Utah

The interior of the island is steep and rocky. An ideal habitat for Antelope, though we didn’t see any during our visit.

 

 

Green Truck, Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park Utah

Over at the Fielding Garr Ranch, there are few cool vintage trucks which have been abandoned and left to rust.

 

 

Abandoned Vehicles, Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park Utah

They make for the best photography subjects!

Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park Utah

Flashpacker Family, Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park Utah

Reuben on Tractor, Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park Utah

Red Truck, Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park Utah

Bethaney & Hazel Walking in Woods, Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park Utah

There is a nice wooded area on the ranch.

Reuben & Lee Walking in the Woods, Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park Utah

For walks.

Green Pond, Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park Utah

 

 

 

Lee Walking on Log, Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park Utah

And messing about!

Owl in Trees, Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park Utah

We spotted some owls in the trees.

 

 

Lee & Reuben Lassoing, Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park Utah

Try your hand at lassoing at the Ranch! Just don’t try to lasso your kids.

 

 

Historical Buildings, Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park Utah

Explore the historical buildings.

 

 

Inside Historical Building, Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park Utah

And see what life was like back when this was a working ranch.

 

 

Driving Around Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park Utah
Driving back out of the park.

 

 

Bison with Mountains in Distance, Fielding Garr Ranch, Antelope Island State Park Utah

We spotted some of the island’s Bison population grazing by the side of the road. About half way down the East coast of the island. Just North of the Fielding Garr Ranch.

 

 

Bison Grazing, Antelope Island State Park Utah

Don’t get too close though. They are best viewed from a distance.

 

 

A Few Tips for Visiting Antelope Island State Park

  • Antelope Island State Park is an easy 45 minute drive north of Salt Lake City, accessible by a causeway across the Great Salt Lake.
  • Entrance to Antelope Island State Park is $10 for vehicles.
  • Start at the Visitor’s Center to pick up maps and see the exhibits.
  • Bring along a picnic lunch. There’s nowhere to purchase food or drink on the island but there are plenty spots to take a picturesque picnic lunch.
  • Make time to explore the Fielding Garr Ranch. It’s set up as a historical recreation of what life on the island was like at various stages through the ranch’s history.
  • Keep your eyes peeled for bison at all times. We found them grazing on the roadside a few miles north of the ranch.

 

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Showing 8 comments
  • Claudia
    Reply

    You know, I had never heard of this park before. Your pictures are real teasers though – they make me feel like going!

  • Boyink
    Reply

    Do a bit of checking before you go…the island can be a solid swarm of bugs! When we visited in early June they looked like smoke columns rising from all the bushes, etc. We’d get out to take a quick picture then make a mad dash back to the truck:

    There was a restaurant there when we visited – they were serving buffalo burgers at a beachhouse by where we walked out to taste the water. I wonder if that closed now?

    • Bethaney Davies
      Reply

      There were no bugs when we visited in February. No restaurant either! But maybe it was shut for the winter.

  • Chris
    Reply

    Salt flats are amazing places!

    The Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia (the worlds largest salt flats) are simply amazing, famous for the tricks they can play with the mind and perspective.

    Salt Lake City however has never been somewhere on any of our itineraries…

  • Gemma Two Scots Abroad
    Reply

    These photos definitely sell it! I love the snow capped mountains in the background. Great shots.

  • Reply

    I’d never heard of this place, but it looks fantastic! I love the layout of this post – it felt like reading a storybook – really made me want to go and have adventures. I LOVE taking photos of old cars so that would keep me occupied for a good few hours. And you little boy is adorable! Great post – I’ll remember this place 🙂

    Gabby

  • Tami
    Reply

    I’ve been there only once. (Even though I’ve been visiting Utah regularly for the last 30 years). We actually went during the summer and had a picnic at one of the beaches on the west side of the island, so the kids could try “floating” in the salty water. It’s not exactly beautiful at the beach there, but the entire island is fascinating, and I’d love to catch a glimpse of the antelope or bison!

  • Reply

    I love how you captured the amazing wildlife and scenery around the park! But I especially love the photos with your little one. Such a cutie! I bet he had a blast. 🙂

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