Antelope Island FAQ
The quick answers: Antelope Island State Park is open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas, and costs $15 per vehicle. You reach it by driving the Davis County Causeway from Syracuse, Utah. You can swim and float in Great Salt Lake at Bridger Bay Beach, see free-roaming bison, camp year-round, and bring a leashed dog on every trail. Details are below, with links to the full guide pages.
Visiting
Can you drive to Antelope Island? Yes, across the Davis County Causeway from Syracuse. The park address is 4528 West 1700 South, Syracuse, UT 84075 (Causeway & Directions).
How much does it cost? $15 per vehicle (up to eight people), $10 for a senior vehicle (65+), $5 per motorcycle, $3 per person walking or biking (Hours & Fees).
What are the hours? 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., year-round, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. The Visitor Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Can you go to Antelope Island at night? The park is open until 10 p.m., and campers stay overnight. It's an International Dark Sky Park, with star parties and astronomy programs (About).
Can I take an Uber or Lyft? Rideshare drivers don't pick up in the park. Utah State Parks recommends renting a car.
Swimming and the Lake
Can you swim in Great Salt Lake at Antelope Island? Yes. Bridger Bay Beach is the best place, with restrooms and showers (Bridger Bay Beach).
Why does it smell? Lake bacteria release hydrogen sulfide, which smells like rotten eggs, mostly on the causeway.
Are there fish in the lake? No; it's too salty. Brine shrimp and brine flies feed millions of birds.
Wildlife
Are there really bison? Yes, 550 to 700 of them, roaming free. Keep your distance (Bison).
When is the bison roundup? The 2026 push is Saturday, October 24 (Bison Roundup).
Are there antelope? Pronghorn, which gave the island its name in 1845 (Wildlife & Birds).
Bugs
When are the bugs bad? Biting gnats (no-see-ums) from April to June; repellent doesn't stop them, so bring a fine-mesh head net. Mosquitoes all summer. Midges and brine flies don't bite.
Camping, Hiking and Dogs
Can you camp on Antelope Island? Yes, year-round, in designated sites only, from $20 to $40 a night, or $200 for a cottage (Camping).
What are the best hikes? Buffalo Point and Ladyfinger Point for short walks, the Lakeside Loop for an easy 5 miles, and Frary Peak for the summit (Hiking).
Are dogs allowed? Yes, on a six-foot leash, but not on the beach or in buildings (Rules).
Can I fly a drone? Not March through November; December through February by permit only.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to go to Antelope Island?
$15 per vehicle for up to eight people, $10 for a senior vehicle, $5 per motorcycle and $3 per person walking or biking.
Can you swim at Antelope Island?
Yes. Swimming and floating in Great Salt Lake are allowed; Bridger Bay Beach is the best place, with restrooms and showers.
Are dogs allowed on Antelope Island?
Yes, on a leash no longer than six feet, on all trails and in campgrounds. Not on the beach or in public buildings.
Is Antelope Island open in winter?
Yes, year-round from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., closed only on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
How many bison are on Antelope Island?
Utah State Parks says 550 to 700, descended from 12 brought to the island in 1893.
Do you need a reservation to visit Antelope Island?
Not for a day visit; pay at the entrance or buy a day pass online. Campsites are reserved at least two days ahead; the day before and the day of arrival they are first come, first served.
Is Antelope Island worth it in spring?
Yes, but plan for biting gnats from April to June: bug spray doesn't work on them, so pack a fine-mesh head net.