Camping sites near Hooper, Utah center around Antelope Island State Park, located in the Great Salt Lake at an elevation of 4,300 feet. The island's landscape consists of arid grasslands with limited tree cover and experiences temperature ranges from below freezing in winter to over 100°F in summer. Access to most camping areas requires crossing the 7-mile causeway which connects the mainland to the island.
What to do
Waterfall hiking: 2 miles round trip from North Fork County Park campgrounds to a scenic cascade. "There's a short waterfall hike, but also a long hike that will take you up to Ben Lomond Peak & cut across to Willard Peak. Go when there's no smoke and you'll have breathtaking views (I'd say May & June are your best bet)," notes a camper at North Fork County Park.
Mountain biking: Multiple trail systems available on Antelope Island and nearby areas. "We stayed at campsite 6 which was great, but they were all really nice. Excellent mountain bike trails also. Can't wait to go back and ride more of them," reports a visitor to North Fork Park.
Wildlife viewing: Early morning best for spotting pronghorn antelope and free-roaming bison. "We saw fox that came right up to our tent and lots of bison close by," shares a camper who stayed at White Rock Bay Campground.
What campers like
Winter camping: December through February offers significantly reduced insects and unique landscape views. "We traveled to Utah from California for our annual Christmas camping adventure. This was our first spot, and it was a wonderful place to start. We don't have to worry about the bugs, being it's December," writes a camper at Bridger Bay Campground.
Sunrise and sunset photography: Early morning and evening provide optimal lighting conditions. "This place had the most amazing sunset. It was cool to drive around and see the wildlife," notes another Bridger Bay camper.
Night sky observation: New moon periods offer optimal stargazing conditions away from city lights. "I've never seen so many shooting stars before. The sites were plenty big, each had a fire pit and picnic table and were close to legit toilets," reports a visitor to North Fork Park.
What you should know
Biting insects: Severe May through August throughout Antelope Island. "It's hard to walk or bike because the bugs are so bad. I don't just mean the odd bite, I mean coated in biting gnats as soon as you go outside your vehicle," warns a recent visitor to Bridger Bay Campground.
Limited water and facilities: Variable availability at Antelope Island campgrounds. "At the time of our visit, the park was rebuilding its visitor center. This meant there is currently no running water so no toilets other than pit and no showers," reports a Bridger Bay camper.
Wind conditions: Strong gusts common especially in open areas with little protection. "We stayed in one of a small handful of tent sites. Bathrooms are clean and there are two showers. We never did meet any staff, nor residents. It was very pretty... Until the wind hit. I have never encountered such winds! Had to chase everything!" shares a visitor to Split Rock Bay Backcountry Campsites.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: Reservations recommended for sites with shade or creek access. "Spent a weekend camping with friends. Got lucky and lined up the three spots in a row right by the creek (last three before the trail up to the falls)," notes a camper from North Fork County Park.
Water activities: Non-swimming options are better for families given lake conditions. "The landscape is beautiful but I cannot stress to you enough the amount of biting gnats there were. It was unbearable for us and bug spray didn't deter them one bit," warns a visitor to White Rock Bay.
Kid-friendly amenities: Select campgrounds offer specific features for children. "We had a delightful stay over Memorial Day weekend. Our kids had a blast swimming, playing at the playground and then spending time in the arcade," shares a camper from Brigham City-Perry South KOA.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Several campgrounds offer electric and water connections. "This is a very cozy campground and we stayed one night. Sites are asphalt and VERY long & level—with a strip of grass and some rock gravel," reports a visitor to Riverside RV Resort.
Site spacing: Variable between campgrounds from tight to spacious. "The sites are tightly packed. The hook ups (especially sewer) are awkwardly to the far rear of the sites. All black top and gravel, which really gets warm on the hot July days," notes a camper from Hill AFB FamCamp.
Arrival timing: Causeway gates close at specific hours, affecting late check-ins. "The campground is small, and mostly RV residents. We never did meet any staff, nor residents. It was very pretty. There is a walking trail that runs along the Weber river and a dog run on the eastern part of the property," shares an RVer from Riverside RV Resort.
