Antelope Island Wildlife Tour: Bison & Great Salt Lake

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Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell out

1/14

Duration5h–6h

GroupUp to 13

LanguagesEN · UK

PickupAt your hotel

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.

5h–6h

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.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant 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.