Antelope Island Sunset Tour: Wildlife & Bison Viewing

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Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell out

1/16

Duration5h–6h

GroupUp to 13

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

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.

5h–6h

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.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant 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.