Calendar of Events - 2012

Scroll to the bottom for calendar items on the island

Highlighted events are listed on the top part of the page.

Antelope Island

Days and times subject to change at any time!

Call Antelope Island to confirm at 801-725-9263

Horses go out all year long. To schedule horseback riding, please provide at least 48 hour notice by calling (888) 878-8002, or fill out a request on the link below. Group size can be no more than 10 per ride, and costs (excluding tax) begin at:

• One hour:    $50
• Two hours: $100

• Horses are extremely gentle. Many are movie stars, so be sure to ask what movies they have appeared in.
• Your outfitter will go with you
• In most cases, the group is just your party (10 horses max)
• You can set the time you want to ride, if horses are available
• There is no galloping or double riding
• You do NOT ride nose-to-tail on a trail. You get to ride side by side through the plains/grasses of the island
• If you want to see a particular animal (mountain sheep, bison, pronghorn), be sure to ask your outfitter and perhaps you'll find one!
• Children under 6 are not allowed to ride. Sorry.
• Plan on at LEAST a 45 min drive to the ranch from I-15 in Layton (exit 332 / Antelope Drive exit).

Request a Horseback Reservation

Published Park Hours:
   May through September - 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
   October - 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
   November through February - 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
   March - 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
   April - 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

VC and Fielding Garr Ranch Hours:
   April 15 to September 14 - 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
   September 15 to April 14 - 9a.m. to 5 p.m.

Holiday Closures: Thanksgiving and Christmas

Day Visits:
   $9 day use per vehicle (includes Davis County causeway fee) 
   $3 cyclists and pedestrians

6th Annual Cowboy Legends - Memorial Day Weekend 2012

Follow the group on Facebook

Antelope Island Stampede - Labor Day weekend, 8/31-9/02, 2012

Click for photos and video of the 2011 event!

Join your friends and neighbors, as well as professional kite flyers and hot-air balloon pilots from all over the country - over Labor Day weekend. The Antelope Island Stampede is a lot of fun for all ages - from kids to grandparents. There's something for every one to see, hear, do... or eat! Mark your calendars! You don't want to miss a minute of it!

The 25th Annual Bison Roundup -  was October 28 - 29, 2011

The bison have been rounded up, but you're still welcome to come see the veterinarians innoculate the animals, and check the health of the herd through November.

See the state's website, or call 801-779-2941 or 801-725-9263 for information and times.

REMEMBER: these are wild, undomesticated, cranky and ornery animals. Please DO NOT leave the safety of your car, and do not obstruct the animals or those on horseback.

See the State's website and invitation

2011- 2012 Events on Antelope Island

For more information, we suggest that you call the park naturalist at 801-721-9569 to confirm activities and times, before you head out there! The dates are not removed after they've passed, so that you can plan for the same event in the same time frame in 2012 and 2013

• VC stands for the Visitors Center. The building at the top of the hill as soon as you arrive at the island.
• Ranch means the Fielding Garr Ranch on the east side of the island. Plan on about a 20 minute drive to the ranch after you arrive on the island.

2012 Calendar items are in Orange. Past 2011 items in Gray. Many of these events are around the same time, so we leave them and up date the dates as we get the information from the park.

Dec 17, 2011 Life & Times of Lake Bonneville VC 3PM

2012

Thru Jan 30    Deanna Reeves Art Show VC 9AM - 5PM

Jan 1              Annual Bird Count 8AM Parking lot Entrance Gate

Jan 1              Hike: Buffalo Point, Meet 1:30PM @ VC

Jan 14            Jr Ranger - Wildlife Mysteries 11AM VC

Jan 20            The Winter Hexagon (Astronomy) 5:30PM VC

Feb 4             Jr Ranger - Animals in Winter 11AM VC

Feb 10           Predators of the Sky - 5PM VC

Feb 18           Life of Stars - 5:30PM VC

2011

March 14        Open access - east side only 8AM Entrance Gate

March 15        Open access - west side only 8AM Entrance Gate

March 19        Unicorn Point History Hike 10AM Ranch

March 25-26   Buffalo Run 6AM White Rock Bay (25k, 50k, 50 mi, 100 mi)

April 9             Jr Ranger - Wool Processing 2PM Ranch

April 16           Endurance Horse Ride

April 30           Classic Bike Race 6 AM at the marina

May 7             Jr Ranger - Native American Food 2PM at the Ranch

May 14           Author discusses his book: Hope w/feathers 11AM Ranch

May 27-30      Cowboy Legends (see description above)

June thru July Tom Mathewson Photo Gallery @ VC

June 4             Jr Ranger - How farm engines work 2PM Ranch

June 11           Sentry Peak Hike - 10AM Ranch

June 25           Jr Ranger - Farm machinery 2PM Ranch

July 9               Jr Ranger - Pioneer history 11AM Ranch

July 9               Lecture by Judy Busk - pioneer women 2PM Ranch

July 15            Moonlight Bike Ride (see description above) 10PM Marina

July 16            Threshing Bee (no time listed) Ranch

July 23            Pioneer Activities 8AM Ranch

July 23            Frary Homestead Lecture 2pm Ranch

July 30            Fielding Garr Lecture 2PM Ranch

Aug 6              Jr Ranger - Predator & Prey 11AM VC

Aug 6              Jr Ranger - Cowboys 2PM Ranch

August 13       Author of "Last Cowgirl" book discussion 2PM Ranch

August 20       Frary Homestead & Mulberry Hike 10AM Ranch

August 20       Star Party - White Rock Bay, 6PM See sun through

                       Solar Scope - discussion about space follows

August 25       Sunset Hike - Buffalo Point 7:30PM

August 27       Bats! Nature's DoGooders - 8:30PM VC

Sept 2-4         Antelope Island Stampede (see description above)

Sept 3             Jr Ranger - How they worked 2PM Ranch

Sept 17           Where the buffalo roam - Max Harward 2PM Ranch

Sept 24           Thoughts of a dry land - Rot. Steensma 2PM Ranch

Sept 24           Help clean up the ranch 10AM-1PM (contact)

Sept 24           Wonders of the GSL. VC Amphitheatre 7:30PM

Oct 1               Jr Ranger - Big Horn Sheep VC Amphitheatre 11AM

Oct 1               Star Party White Rock Bay 6PM

Oct 8               Layton Marathon 6AM Ranch

Oct 8               Owls of Antelope Island: VC 6PM

Oct 10             Unicorn Point History Hike: 10AM at the Ranch

Oct 15             Mountain View Half Marathon 6AM White Rock Bay

Oct 15             Jr Ranger - Mule Deer VC Amphitheatre 11AM

Oct 15             Geology Hike: VC parking lot 1PM

Oct 22             5:30PM Star Party White Rock Bay - & no later than 6:30

Oct 28-29        Bison Round Up (times vary) Ranch & Corrals

Nov 3              Children's Round Up 8AM Corrals

Nov 3-5           9AM - 4PM Bison Working Corrals Tours given

Nov 5              Antelope Island 100k trail run (TBA) White Rock Bay

Nov 12            Bison Auction 8AM Corrals

Nov 12            Lake Bonneville: VC Theatre 3PM

Nov 13            1 PM Mulberry Grove Hike: MileMarker 9 -1.5 mile hike

Nov 19            Jr Ranger - Animals in Winter VC Theatre 11AM

Nov 26            Shifting Night: Winter Constellations 5PM VC Theatre

Dec 10            Beacon Knob Full Moon Hike: 5 mile round trip. Marina 5PM

Dec 17            Life & Times of Lake Bonneville VC 3PM

Notes:

Trail of the Month is Dooly Knob, 1.4 miles one way. The trail spurs off of Frary Peak trail after about 3/4s of a mile. There are good views on both sides of the island from the trail, which also passes by 2.7 BILLION year old rock.

In winter:

• The Visitor Center and the Ranch are open daily from 9AM - 5PM. The park closes about 30 minutes after sunset.
• As you drive along the east side of the road toward the Ranch, watch for purcupines in the trees along the road.
• Norther Harriers and rough-legged hawks can be seen flying low to the ground as they search for mice an other cirtters
• As dusk approaches, watch for owls and rabbits along the roads. Coyote are active on the north end of the island at dusk, and sunrise.
• Fires are only allowed in fire pits, and never on the beach.
• Unreserved campsites are assigned at 3PM daily.
• The Island Buffalo Grill is closed for the winter.

Take a Hike!

The Salt Lake Tribune has provided a great summary of a fun hike on Antelope Island. It's the White Rock Loop Trail; abt 7.5 miles. Dogs are allowed on a leash. It would take about 2 hours, or maybe a little longer if you stop for numerous photo ops!

Birding Information
Day Events
Exhibits
Performing Arts/Theatre/Concerts
Air Force Week Activities