Antelope Island Sunset Wildlife Expedition Great Salt Lake Tour

The tour begins with a short introduction to the history of Utah and its unique natural environment. On the way, you’ll see a changing landscape — mountains on the horizon, wide valleys, and the shimmering surface of the Great Salt Lake. As the sun gets lower and the colors become warmer, even the drive feels like a small adventure, with the panorama of Antelope Island slowly appearing ahead.

Antelope Island — the largest of the Great Salt Lake’s islands — welcomes visitors with dramatic geology, wide-open landscapes, and a uniquely rich ecosystem. From here, our exploration of the island unfolds.

Our first stop reveals the birthplace of the island’s unique brine shrimp industry. These tiny creatures — thriving in water saltier than the ocean — form the foundation of life in the Great Salt Lake. Their incredible ability to survive in such extreme conditions has made them both an ecological treasure and an important economic resource for Utah.

A short walk takes us to the Lady Finger Trail Overlook, where the island’s beauty opens up in full view. As the afternoon sun softens the sky, the Great Salt Lake glitters like glass, seemingly melting into the horizon — a stunning and unforgettable introduction to Antelope Island.

We take a peaceful walk along Bridger Bay Beach to the water’s edge, where the lake feels calm and quiet, and the atmosphere brings a sense of tranquility and connection with nature. The sand here is unlike any other — you’ll notice its little secret the moment you touch it.

Antelope Island’s open plains, hiking trails, and shoreline are home to an impressive variety of wildlife. Here, animals live freely in their natural environment, offering a rare and unforgettable opportunity to observe them up close.
One of the most remarkable sights is one of North America’s oldest surviving wild bison herds — more than 500 animals roaming the island.

The highlight of our tour is a visit to Fielding Garr Ranch — the first permanent settlement on the island and a key part of its history and preservation. Here you’ll hear fascinating stories about the early pioneers, their daily life, and the challenges they faced while building a community in a remote and unpredictable wilderness.

To conclude the tour, we visit Buffalo Point Overlook, where you’ll learn about the island’s geology and the origin of the Great Salt Lake — a remnant of prehistoric Lake Bonneville that once covered much of western Utah.

For guests interested in light activity, we offer an easy 25-minute hike along a 5,300-foot trail (1.6 km) with a gradual elevation gain of 216–249 feet (66–67 m). From the summit, a sweeping panorama opens over the shimmering lake, distant mountain ranges, and peaceful island landscapes.

This is the perfect spot to experience the sunset — considered one of the most spectacular in all of Utah. As the sun meets the horizon, the sky fills with warm shades of gold and red, and the lake reflects the changing colors. It’s a calm, unforgettable moment — a chance to enjoy the quiet beauty of nature as the day comes to a close.

Return to Salt Lake City with drop-off at convenient locations.