Antelope Island by motorcycle
An island in the Great Salt Lake, a half-day ride from Salt Lake City. A causeway runs out across the water, the roads on the island are paved, and the bison herd lives right beside them.
The route at a glance
- Start: Salt Lake City, north on I-15 to Exit 332 in Syracuse
- To the island: west on Antelope Drive for 7 miles to the park entrance, then another 7 miles across a narrow causeway (Utah.com). Wikipedia's Fielding Garr Ranch article puts the causeway at about 6 miles (Wikipedia); either way, it is a short run across open water.
- Island: 28,022 acres (Utah.com)
- Fee: $5 per motorcycle (Utah State Parks). Annual state park passes do not cover the separate $2 Davis County causeway fee (Utah State Parks). Check at the booth.
- Open: year-round; hours vary by season (park brochure)
- Riding time from Salt Lake City: about 45 minutes each way to the causeway (estimate; check your map app)
Exit 332 to the island
Antelope Drive. Leave I-15 at Exit 332 and ride west on Antelope Drive (SR-108) through Syracuse to the fee booth at the start of the causeway (Wikipedia, Utah.com).
Fuel before the causeway. Gas, food, lodging and medical services are in Davis County, seven to 14 miles east of the island (park brochure). Fill up in Syracuse before you cross.
The causeway. Low and flat across the lake. Wind off the water is worth expecting on any exposed causeway (our note, not a park warning).
On the island
Visitor center. Once across and past the marina, turn right for the visitor center (Visit Utah). It is open year-round, with exhibits and restrooms (park brochure); Utah.com lists hours of 10 am to 4 pm (Utah.com). Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day (park brochure).
Buffalo Point. A climb up from the north end (Visit Utah), with tufa deposits along the Buffalo Point Trail (park brochure).
Bridger Bay. A sandy beach with showers, a pavilion, picnic areas and modern restrooms (park brochure).
The east side to Fielding Garr Ranch. The best riding on the island: about 10 miles of rolling, curvy paved road along the east shore (Visit Utah), with exhibits on the island's history and geology along the way (park brochure). The ranch is about 11 miles south of the causeway (Wikipedia). Its adobe house, built in 1848, is the oldest building in Utah still on its original foundation, and the ranch has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1983 (Wikipedia). Utah.com lists ranch hours of 9 am to 5 pm (Utah.com). Don't count on water there: the hose may be off (Visit Utah). Ride back the way you came.
Bison on the road
The herd runs about 515 animals in winter and about 750 after spring calving (Utah State Parks), and they use the roads. On a motorcycle there is no car door between you and them. The park's advice (Utah State Parks):
- Bison in the middle of the road: wait for it to pass. Do not get off.
- Bison beside the road: you may go past slowly.
- Distance: "However close you think you should be, double it." If a bison stops what it is doing and watches you, you are too close; back away slowly.
Gnats and season
- Spring and early summer can bring swarms of midges, brine flies and biting gnats (Visit Utah). Close your visor and cover your neck.
- Fall is the time of the annual bison roundup, a good time to see the herd (Utah.com).
- About the lake: the Great Salt Lake has no outlet, so water leaves only by evaporation, and it is too salty for fish (park brochure).
Before you ride
- Entrance gate: (801) 773-2941. Visitor center: (801) 725-9263 (park brochure).
- Bring water; the hose at the ranch may be off (Visit Utah).
- Rules for visiting riders (helmets, eye protection, lane filtering): Riding in Utah.
Keep going
- Back to the mountains: canyon rides from the airport on our Salt Lake City page.
- North of Syracuse: Ogden River Byway and Logan Canyon to Bear Lake.
- West across the desert: Bonneville Salt Flats.
Rent a bike
Booking opens soon. Until then, use the ride guides to plan your trip.