Antelope Island Introduction

This event is an introduction to Antelope Island for those unfamiliar with this State Park. Our plan is to meet at the causeway and carpool/caravan to the island. On island, we’ll begin by strolling around historic Fielding Garr Ranch. During pioneer times back when the lake was full, Antelope Island was used as a livestock stockade and Fielding Garr Ranch is the best reminder of this bygone era. A wooded area nearby is home to owls and a favorite area for birders. We almost always see bison and sometimes antelope and coyotes on this tour. We’ll drive past the Frary Peak trailhead, the TH to the highest point on Antelope Island and resting place of some of Utah’s oldest rock. There are restrooms at the causeway and at several sites on island.

After visiting the ranch we’ll travel to the other side of the island and visit White Rock Bay, the location of one of the islands largest campsites and introduce participants to two key trailheads. Next, our itinerary is to scamper up Buffalo Point, a short half-mile long trek climbing 300-feet offering expansive vistas of the Great Salt Lake. We will then drive around the northern part of the island passing by Bridger Bay, the location of another large campground and site of the island’s best beaches, to the state park visitor center. (Note: The visitor center has been undergoing renovation and might not be open.) This time of year, we should avoid pesky flying insects but it is always wise to carry insect repellent when visiting Antelope Island. We should be off island by 1:00PM. No dogs.

Meet Elliott at the large causeway parking lot located east of the entrance booth on the south side of the road, at 10:00am. Bring your state parks pass and money (DOLLAR BILLS) as a fee per vehicle is required to drive across the causeway and to help defray gas expense for those driving carpool vehicles.

Trailhead Directions: Exit I-15 in Layton on Antelope Drive and drive west. Go west approximately 7 miles to the Antelope Island State Park entrance station. We will rally in the paved parking area located before the entrance station on the left (south) side of the road, where we will arrange to carpool/caravan across the causeway. Look for a white Subaru Outback. There are restrooms at this location.