Surrounded by the water of Utah's famous Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island offers about 30 miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. At about 15 miles long by 5 miles wide, it is the largest of the lake's ten islands.

The island was named for its large pronghorn population, which was wiped out by hunters in the 1870s. Today bison, bighorn sheep, deer, buffalo, bobcat, and the restored antelope roam the island.

The high desert ecosystem on Antelope means no trees, but there is an abundance of tall grass and grange land that provide food for wildlife. The island's beaches are known for their rare oolitic sand, a fine, soft, white sand that is a by-product of the brine shrimp that inhabit the lake.

Most of the island is closed to cars; old ranch roads mostly serve as hiking trails. Check in with the rangers before heading out to find out about current trail conditions. After your hike, cool off in the lake, where you'll find yourself floating more easily than usual (the high salinity increases buoyancy).

Recommended Hikes

For an easy hike, take the three-mile Lakeside Trail along the beach at the northwestern tip of the island. This is where the park's five group campsites are located.

White Rock Bay is a 9.2-mile, easy-to-moderate loop trail that gets you close to the island's animals.

The more difficult Frary Peak trail was just opened in 2000. This four-mile trail features a steep, strenuous climb to 6,700 feet in the center of the island. From here you can get a panoramic view of the park.

Camping

Getting There

Permits and Fees

Maps

Move on to Mount Nebo Wilderness

Return to Top

Southwest Adventures The southwest is the quintessential American landscape—rugged, wild, and wide open. More Getaways Utah Arizona Colorado New Mexico more...