Antelope Island State Park

Activities include saltwater bathing, bird watching, camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, picnicking, sunbathing, exploring historical sites, photography and viewing wildlife in its natural habitat. Watchable wildlife viewing opportunities abound with a herd of 600 bison, deer, coyotes, antelope, bighorn sheep, shorebirds, and waterfowl. Facilities include modern rest rooms, hot showers, picnic shelters, group-use pavilion, boat launching ramp, marina and visitor center.

Park History:

Artifacts reveal prehistoric people inhabited the island more than 6,000 years ago. John C. Fremont and Kit Carson made the first known Anglo exploration of Antelope Island in 1845. They named the island after observing several antelope grazing on the rangelands. Fielding Garr established the first permanent residence in 1848. Antelope Island has been inhabited since then, and is home to Utah's oldest Anglo-built structure still standing on its existing foundation. The historic Fielding Garr Ranch represents 135 years of western ranching history. Utah State Parks purchased the northern 2,000 acres of the island in 1969, and the remainder in 1981.

Picture of the Fielding Garr Ranch House

Taken By Utah Outdoor Activities

Wildlife:

American bison are the island's most famous residents. Twelve animals were brought to the island in 1893; the foundation for today's herd of 500 to 700. An annual roundup is held each fall to assess the health of the herd and sell extra animals. In addition to large mammals, the island is home to bobcats, coyotes, reptiles, shore birds, waterfowl, raptors and chukars.

Wildlife Viewing Opportunities:

January - Bald eagles, chukar partridge, winter ducks; common golden eyes, occasional scoters, old squaws.

February - Coyote pairs, bald eagles, winter raptors; prairie falcons, roughed leg hawks, winter song birds; occasional snow buntings and long spurs with horned larks, rosy finches.

March - Bald eagles, first returning migratory birds arrive, California gulls, pelicans, colonial bird nesting activity on Egg and White Rock islands.

April - Bison calves, blooming wildflowers, island green-up, returning avocets, stilts, sanderlings, eared grebes in breeding plumage, phalaropes, peregrine falcons.

May- Antelope fawns, bighorn sheep lambs, migratory birds, burrowing owls, long-billed curlews, willets, arriving migrants at ranch.

June - Deer fawns, Canada geese goslings, arriving migrants at ranch, water bird viewing along shoreline.

July - Wilson phalaropes peak, foraging behavior and bird activity increasing, large animal activity slow due to heat.

August - Bison mating, returning shorebirds, pelican activity seen over island.

September - Eared grebes return, phalaropes, Franklin gulls, waterfowl return, migrating raptors, antelope harems, rabbit brush blooming, mature buck deer sightings.

October - Bison roundup, eared grebes, brine shrimp harvest.

November - Bison in corrals, eared grebes, brine shrimp harvest.

December - Coyote sightings, bison bull bachelor groups on north end, porcupines in Russian olives; wintering ducks; northern shovelers.

American Bison - Antelope Island State Park

American Bison

Taken By Utah Outdoor Activities

Park Information:

Acres - 28,022
Elevation - 4200 ft, highest peak 6596
Park Open – Year-round
Stay Limit - 14 days
Total Units - 31
RV Trailer Sites - 26
Maximum RV Length - 65 ft.
Tent Sites - 31
Camping Fee - $11 (includes $3 Davis County causeway/wildlife fee)
Group Camping - Advanced reservations required, call (801) 773-2941
Day-use Fee - $8 (includes $2 causeway/wildlife fee)
Visitor Center
Picnicking
Group Pavilion
Drinking Water
Modern Restrooms
Vault Toilets
Day-Use Showers (not available in winter)
Boating
Swimming
Hiking trails
Biking
Watchable wildlife
Winter activities
Concession service

Getting There

To reach Antelope Island, take I-15 to exit 335 (Syracuse/Freeport Center). Travel west nine miles
west on Antelope Drive to the entrance gate.

For updated information regarding facilities for the physically challenged, contact the park.

Antelope Island State Park
4528 West 1700 South
Syracuse, Utah 84075-6868
(801) 773-2941

Click Here For Online Camping Reservations. Service Provided By Reserve America.

Information Courtesy Of Utah State Parks And Recreation

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