Antelope Island: The Gem of the Utah Parks System

One of Utah's most popular state parks is located on Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake. It is popular for several reasons: it is very scenic, has incredible wildlife viewing opportunities, has great camping and picnic facilities, and it is just a short drive from Salt Lake City.

Oh, and it offers the chance to swim in the salty waters of the Great Salt Lake.

The Salt Lake Tribune has this interesting article about Antelope Island. (Our title comes from the article headline.) Below are excerpts.

Asked what he thought of his trip to Antelope Island, the pre-teen (Chase Lovendahl) contemplated for a minute and said, “it is kind of like Yellowstone and kind of like the ocean.”

Like Yellowstone in that bison jams are not uncommon on the east side of the island. Those with sharp eyes may also notice pronghorn — also known as antelope — mule deer, bighorn sheep, coyote, hawks, owls, birds and a million or so shorebirds.

Like the ocean in that the Great Salt Lake, the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi, was mistaken by early explorers as the Pacific Ocean. And sunsets on the Great Salt Lake can easily be compared to those on the West Coast of the United States.

“Everybody wants to float in the Great Salt Lake, and Antelope Island is the best place to experience everything the lake offers,” said (Neka) Roundy, with Davis County Community and Economic Development. “And the sunsets just melt into the water.”

A French couple snapping pictures of the husband head-butting the white bison at the visitors center said Antelope Island was an important part of planning their trip to the American West.