Antelope Island Wildlife Tour: Bison & Great Salt Lake

One of America's oldest bison herds roams wild across Antelope Island, and you'll watch them from the trail.

A small-group wildlife tour from Salt Lake City to Antelope Island State Park, where you see free-roaming bison, antelopes, deer and over 250 bird species in their natural habitat, visit Utah's oldest preserved building at Fielding Garr Ranch, and hike to Buffalo Point for panoramic views of the Great Salt Lake. The tour runs 5 to 6 hours with professional guide, hotel pickup, trekking poles, binoculars and bottled water included. An optional 15-minute summit hike at Buffalo Point rewards with 360-degree views of the lake and snow-capped Wasatch Mountains. Tours depart mornings and afternoons on multiple days throughout the week, with gratuities for the guide optional at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Antelope Island Wildlife and Scenic Tour

• Depart from Salt Lake City
• Drive to Antelope Island
• Visit Scenic Marina and learn about brine shrimp
• Walk to Lady Finger Trail Overlook
• Walk along Bridger Bay Beach
• Observe wildlife including bison herd
• Tour Fielding Garr Ranch historic site
• Visit Buffalo Point Overlook and optional hike
• Return to Salt Lake City

The experience

You'll start in Salt Lake City and drive toward the Great Salt Lake, watching the landscape shift from city to mountains to open water. As you approach Antelope Island, the largest island in the lake, the panorama opens up: the shimmering salt water, the distant ranges, and the island's distinctive geology come into view. The drive itself frames what's ahead, building anticipation before you step onto the island.

Once there, the tour moves through several stops that reveal why this place has held visitors' attention for generations. At the Scenic Marina, you'll learn about the brine shrimp that thrive in water saltier than the ocean: tiny creatures that anchor the lake's ecosystem and the region's economy. A short walk to the Lady Finger Trail Overlook opens up sweeping views across the water to the horizon. Then comes the wildlife: the island's trails and shoreline are home to one of America's oldest surviving bison herds, along with antelopes, deer, and more than 250 bird species. Your guide carries binoculars for closer viewing, and trekking poles are provided for the walks. At Fielding Garr Ranch, Utah's oldest preserved building, you'll hear the stories of Mormon pioneers who first settled the island and fought to survive in harsh conditions.

The tour culminates at Buffalo Point Overlook, where the geological story of the Great Salt Lake unfolds: this vast salt sea is actually a remnant of prehistoric Lake Bonneville, an ancient body of water that once covered much of western Utah thousands of years ago. From this vantage point, the lake stretches endlessly toward the horizon. If you want the full reward, an optional 15-minute summit hike along a well-maintained trail climbs to 5,300 feet and opens a 360-degree panorama: the lake's waters shimmer below, snow-capped Wasatch Mountains rise to the east, and distant ranges fade into purple silhouettes. Then you return to Salt Lake City with drop-off at your hotel or a convenient location.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English or Ukrainian.
• hotel pickup and return drop-off in Salt Lake City.
• binoculars for wildlife viewing.
• trekking poles for the walks.
• bottled water.
• applicable taxes, fees and insurance coverage.

Options for this experience

6 options

Tuesday Morning TourGuide in English or Ukrainian · 08:30Tuesday tour includes pickup

Monday Morning TourGuide in English or Ukrainian · Available from 23 Nov · 08:30Monday tour includes pickup

Wednesday Morning TourGuide in English or Ukrainian · 08:30Wednesday tour includes pickup

See 3 more options

Friday Afternoon TourGuide in English or Ukrainian · Available from 13 Nov · 14:30Friday tour includes pickup

Sunday Afternoon TourGuide in English or Ukrainian · 14:30Sunday tour includes pickup

Saturday Morning TourGuide in English or Ukrainian · 08:30Saturday tour includes pickup

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except ThursdayDepartures at 08:30 and 14:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (4 to 15 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 13

Live guideEnglish and Ukrainian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Matei Travel

Is this one for you?Choose a morning or afternoon departure based on your schedule: the tour balances wildlife viewing, historical stops and optional hiking into a single half-day, so you can spend the rest of your time in Salt Lake City exploring the city or resting at your hotel. Groups stay under 13 travelers in a comfortable Mercedes Sprinter, which keeps the pace relaxed and the wildlife viewing personal rather than rushed.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Ukrainian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 15 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I see bison and other wildlife on this tour?

Yes. Antelope Island is home to one of America's oldest surviving bison herds, plus antelopes, deer, and more than 250 bird species. Your guide will point them out along the hiking trails and shoreline, and binoculars are included so you can watch them up close.

What is the Buffalo Point hike like?

The optional summit hike at Buffalo Point takes about 15 minutes and climbs a well-maintained 5,300-foot trail. It rewards with a 360-degree panorama of the Great Salt Lake, the Wasatch Mountains, and distant ranges: a rare untouched wilderness vista that's the tour's finale.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes professional guide, hotel pickup in Salt Lake City, binoculars for wildlife viewing, trekking poles, bottled water, applicable taxes and fees, and insurance coverage. Gratuities for the guide are optional and chosen at checkout.

How long does the whole tour take?

The tour runs 5 to 6 hours from pickup in Salt Lake City through return drop-off, including all stops at the marina, overlooks, Fielding Garr Ranch, and Buffalo Point.

What will I learn at Fielding Garr Ranch?

Fielding Garr Ranch is Utah's oldest preserved building and the island's first permanent settlement. Your guide shares the stories of Mormon pioneers who first settled Antelope Island and their struggle to survive in harsh conditions and an unpredictable natural environment.

Is this tour suitable for people who aren't very fit?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Most stops involve short walks, and the Buffalo Point summit hike is optional. You can enjoy the overlook views without climbing if you prefer. Trekking poles are provided to help with the walks.