Antelope Island Sunset Tour: Wildlife & Bison Viewing

Hike to Buffalo Point at sunset and watch the sky turn gold over the lake and mountains.

This 5- to 6-hour wildlife tour from Salt Lake City takes you to Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake, where you'll see bison herds, antelope, deer and hundreds of bird species in their natural habitat. The tour includes a visit to Fielding Garr Ranch, Utah's oldest preserved building; an easy 25-minute hike to Buffalo Point with panoramic views; and a professional guide, hotel pickup, binoculars and bottled water. You can choose the standard sunset expedition or the Friday afternoon option.

Step-by-step itinerary

Antelope Island Wildlife and Sunset Tour

• Introduction to Utah history and nature
• Drive to Antelope Island
• Explore brine shrimp industry site
• Walk to Lady Finger Trail Overlook
• Walk along Bridger Bay Beach
• Observe wildlife including bison herd
• Visit Fielding Garr Ranch
• Hike Buffalo Point Overlook
• Watch sunset at Buffalo Point
• Return to Salt Lake City

The experience

Antelope Island is the largest of the Great Salt Lake's islands, and the drive there from Salt Lake City is part of the experience: the landscape shifts from mountains and valleys to the shimmering surface of the lake itself. Once on the island, the tour unfolds through stops that reveal how life thrives in one of the harshest environments in North America. You'll learn about the brine shrimp industry that depends on the lake's extreme salinity, walk the Lady Finger Trail Overlook as the afternoon light softens, and spend time at Bridger Bay Beach where the sand has its own tactile surprise.

The wildlife here is the draw: more than 500 bison roam freely across the open plains, along with pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and over 250 bird species. These animals live without barriers, so sightings are genuine encounters rather than managed viewings. Fielding Garr Ranch, the first permanent settlement on the island, anchors the history part of the day. A preserved pioneer structure where you'll hear stories about the early settlers who built a community in this remote landscape.

The hike to Buffalo Point is optional and short: 25 minutes on a 1.6-kilometer trail with a gradual climb of 66 to 67 meters. From the summit, the view opens across the lake, the Wasatch Mountains, and the island's quiet terrain. This is where the sunset happens: the sky fills with gold and red, and the lake mirrors the colors back. The moment is calm and unhurried, the kind of thing people describe to others afterward. You'll return to Salt Lake City with drop-off at your hotel or a convenient location.

What’s included

• Professional guide in English.
• hotel pickup and return transportation in a comfortable Mercedes Sprinter van.
• binoculars for wildlife viewing.
• trekking poles for the hike.
• bottled water.
• applicable taxes and fees.
• and insurance coverage.

Options for this experience

2 options

Great Salt Lake Tour: Antelope Island Sunset Wildlife ExpeditionGuide in English · 14:30Pickup is included

Tour in the afternoon on FridayGuide in English · Available from 13 Nov · 14:30Friday tour, includes pickup

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

Before you book

Days and timesFriday and SundayDeparts at 14:30

Book up to4h before

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

GroupUp to 13

Live guideEnglish

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.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Matei Travel

Is this one for you?The easy hike to Buffalo Point is what makes a full inland experience possible without requiring serious fitness. You get the panoramic views and the sunset moment without committing to a strenuous climb. Small-group travel capped at 13 guests means the wildlife sightings feel less crowded and the guide can spend time on the stories and ecology that make the island worth the drive.

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Top questions

Can children come?

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

What wildlife will I actually see on Antelope Island?

Antelope Island is home to more than 500 wild bison, pronghorn antelope, mule deer, and over 250 bird species that live freely across the island's open plains and shoreline. Sightings are genuine encounters in their natural habitat, not enclosed or staged viewings.

How difficult is the hike to Buffalo Point?

The hike to Buffalo Point is easy and takes about 25 minutes on a 1.6-kilometer trail with a gradual elevation gain of 66 to 67 meters. It's suitable for all physical fitness levels and ends at a panoramic overlook where the sunset is visible across the Great Salt Lake and Wasatch Mountains.

What is Fielding Garr Ranch and why does the tour stop there?

Fielding Garr Ranch is Utah's oldest preserved building and the first permanent settlement on Antelope Island. The tour stops there to share pioneer stories and explain how early settlers built a community in this remote and unpredictable wilderness.

Does the tour include hotel pickup from Salt Lake City?

Yes, hotel pickup in Salt Lake City and Utah County is included, along with comfortable transportation in a Mercedes Sprinter van. Drop-off at a convenient location is also part of the tour.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes a professional English-speaking guide, hotel pickup and return transportation, binoculars for wildlife viewing, bottled water, trekking poles, applicable taxes and fees, and insurance coverage. Gratuities for the guide are optional.

How long is the entire tour?

The tour runs 5 to 6 hours from pickup in Salt Lake City through the return drive, with multiple stops on Antelope Island and the optional hike to Buffalo Point included in that timeframe.