Bison were not something we expected to find roaming Utah, which we’ve always envisioned as a dusty place that grows amazing red rock formations instead of grasslands. We certainly didn’t expect to see grazing animals near its largest city and especially not in the middle of the Great Salt Lake for which that city is named. But not only does a herd of 600 bison roam the 42 square miles of Antelope Island, so do pronghorn, bighorn sheep, bobcats, coyotes, porcupine, badgers and millions of water fowl. It’s like one of the world’s largest city zoos, only without the cages.
This largest island in the Great Salt Lake is accessed either by boat or via a seven-mile causeway that connects it to the mainland. From there visitors are treated to magnificent views of the Wasatch Range that constitutes the western edge of the Rockies and envelopes Salt Lake City.
Lone bison chilling in the tall grass of Antelope Island, Utah
Hiking and mountain biking are popular activities on the island, and its white sand beaches beckon swimmers to try out the most wonderfully buoyant salinated water this side of the Dead Sea.
Hordes of insects can be a problem during May and June, but eight miles of driving trails make it possible to comfortably “safari” around the island and enjoy its scenery and wildlife even when nasty gnats are at their worst.
Everywhere Once 
Wow, so cool! I didn’t realize the Great Salt Lake was big enough to have a huge island in the middle of it. I guess you learn something new everyday.
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Your blog is awe-inspiring! I love it and see you’ve received many awards and honors! L’il ol’ me has nominated your blog for one more…I am nominating you later this morning for the “Very Inspiring Blogger” award. Please feel free to stop by and pick up your award! Thank you for inspiring me to be more!
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Beautiful pictures! Antelope Island sounds like a wonderful place to visit.
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I got to visit Antelope Island. It is the best place to see the Great Salt Lake. 🙂
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Antelope Island sounds very cool. I’m not sure I’d be comfortable traipsing in it. A car ride on the driving trails sounds perfect.
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Beautiful reflection shot. Perfectly balanced.
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Eye-opening and heartening that despite humans’ best efforts, an Eden lives on. Akin to the Great Serengeti-Mara Migration…
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“Despite our best efforts” indeed.
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I’m slightly scarred (emotionally) by my experience on Antelope Island. I really wanted to enjoy it because, as you said, it really is a beautiful place. The problem was that we did a mountain bike tour around the island. During bug season. I’m not sure how that happened, but I was picking gnats out of my hair for days, and they kept coming out of my ears and nose. Ew! Maybe I’ll have to go back one of these days…
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Wonderful post – brought back memories of my trip to Antelope Island last year. This is a really special place with a true sense of wilderness yet so close to the city. We stayed overnight in a RV and woke up to a bison eating breakfast outside our truck!
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Love that about camping – having nature walk up and make itself at home in “your” space.
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Looks amazing – where you scared about seeing so many animals in the wild roaming free? Kinda would be weird to see the animals without the cages!
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We love seeing animals in the wild. There is something wonderful about them when they’re in their natural habitat. I even find wild horses somehow more magical then the ones behind fences. We try to keep a respectful distance though. Wild critters are unpredictible and potentially dangerous.
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