Lake Side Trail on Antelope Island

The Trail

This is an easy 2.8 mile (one way) trail. It is very flat, with only about a 140 foot elevation change. You can either hike from one parking lot to the other, or you can hike back along the trail to reach whichever parking lot you started from. The trail basically follows the shoreline from a ways inland around the base of Buffalo Point, giving travelers good views of the lake throughout the whole hike. One nice aspect of this trail is that it can be hiked year round (although it is recommended that you read Antelope Island for information on the best times to visit the island). The snow in the winter is usually not deep, and the trail is well used and easy to follow even when there is snow. The trail is accessible to horses and bicycles as well as foot traffic. Pets are allowed if they are on a leash.

Topographical Map

 Trail on Google Earth

 

Graph of Trail Elevation

Directions

Traveling along the I-15 in Davis County, Utah, take exit 332 for Antelope Drive. Turn west onto Antelope Drive and continue straight until you reach the park entrance. There is a $10.00 entrance fee to access the park. After driving over the causeway and onto the island, keep to the right and follow the road until you reach the Bridger Bay Campground. (Or you can go left when you reach the island too; the road loops. Just follow the signs to Bridger Bay Campground). Drive to the far end of the campground and you will find the trail head before the road turns to loop back toward the main road. Maps are available at the visitor's center.

Antelope Island

Antelope Island is located in Davis County, Utah. It can be a fun place to visit, if you go at the right time of year. If you go at the wrong time of year though, you could be unpleasantly surprised by hoards of tiny brine flies. We made the mistake of going in May once, only to have these tiny creatures attack us in mass. Not only did their little bits make us itch, it was disgusting as hundreds of these flies got stuck in our hair and plastered to our necks. So, our visit turned out to be pretty miserable and much shorter than planned.

According to GSLEP, brine fly larvae can reach 370 million/mile of shoreline in the summer! So, if you want to avoid the flies, it is best not to go to the island from about mid-spring to summer. Fall and early spring are good times to visit though, and winter can be nice as well.

That being said, there is a lot to see and do on Antelope Island. There are a number of trails open to hiking, biking, and/or horseback riding. Pets are not permitted on the Frary Peak Trail, but they are welcome on the other trails as well as long as they are on a leash. Camping facilities are also available, including groups and equestrian sites. A museum is located at the visitors center and concessions are offered at Buffalo Point. Sunsets on the island are often stunning. Many bird and other wildlife species reside on the island, and the island is well known for its population of bison. If you encounter bison during your visit, make sure you do not wander too close to them.

Also note that there is a $9 entrance fee to get into the park. For more information about the park visit the Utah State Parks website or view the park brochure.