Salt Lake City: Great Salt Lake & Antelope Island Hike

Driving Out to Where the Bison Roam: Antelope Island's Wildlife & Salt Lake Views

You're driven to Antelope Island State Park for a half-day that includes a 1-mile hike to Buffalo Point, wildlife viewing at a historic ranch, and a guide who explains both what you're seeing and the conservation work happening around the lake. Hotel pickup and drop-off mean you don't arrange transport yourself, and the small-group format keeps the pace manageable and the experience personal.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Great Salt Lake1h · entry included
2. Antelope Island State Park1h · entry included

Explore Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island

• Visit Great Salt Lake viewpoints
• Hike 1-mile round trip at Bridger Bay Beach
• Watch wildlife at Fielding Garr Ranch
• Learn about historic ranch at Fielding Garr
• Return to Salt Lake City for drop off

The experience

You drive out across the causeway toward Antelope Island, and the Great Salt Lake spreads wide on both sides: that mineral-heavy water catching light in a way freshwater never does. The island itself sits there, separate and quiet, and your guide starts pointing out what you're about to see: free-ranging bison, mule deer, bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and the sheer number of birds that congregate along the shoreline depending on the season. This is a 5½-hour tour, so there's time to actually stop and look instead of just passing through.

The first real stop is the Beach at Bridger Bay, where you do a 1-mile round-trip hike to Buffalo Point. It's not strenuous. The trail is straightforward and the views of the lake open up as you walk. After that, you head to the Fielding Garr Ranch, a historic property on the island where you can watch for wildlife and learn the actual story of how people lived and worked here. Your guide brings context to what you're seeing: not just "there's a bison," but what the lake itself is facing, what conservation efforts are underway, why this landscape matters. The issues affecting the Great Salt Lake aren't abstract when you're standing on it.

Each season changes what you see: migration patterns shift, water levels fluctuate, the light hits differently. The tour adjusts to that, so you're not getting a canned script but something tied to what's actually happening on the day you go. Small groups keep it personal. You're not herded through with fifty other people. At the end, your driver takes you back to Salt Lake City and drops you at your hotel, so the logistics of getting there and back aren't something you have to solve.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels), professional local guide, comfortable transportation to and from Antelope Island, bottled water, and all applicable taxes and fees. You'll hike to Buffalo Point at Bridger Bay, explore the Fielding Garr Ranch for wildlife viewing and history, and have time to take in the views of the Great Salt Lake itself.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 13:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (under 16)

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 45 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Southwest Adventure Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see the Great Salt Lake and its wildlife without arranging your own transport or figuring out the island's layout: the guide and small-group format mean you learn what's actually happening on the lake while someone else handles the driving.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 16).

How long is the hike on Antelope Island?

The Buffalo Point hike is 1 mile round trip, suitable for most fitness levels.

What animals will I see?

Free-ranging bison, mule deer, bighorn sheep, pronghorns, and millions of birds depending on the season.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup and drop-off are included for selected hotels in Salt Lake City.

How long is the whole tour?

5½ hours total, including drive time, hike, and ranch visit.

What's included in the price?

Professional local guide, comfortable transportation, bottled water, applicable taxes and fees.

What if I don't have a car?

The tour includes hotel pickup and transportation. Public transportation options are also available nearby if needed.

Do I need to be very fit for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The hike is 1 mile round trip on a straightforward trail.