Antelope Island State Park provides horse camping facilities with corral options in the White Rock Bay Campground. Located on the eastern side of the Great Salt Lake, the campground sits at approximately 4,300 feet elevation. The terrain combines salt flats with rolling hills and designated equestrian trails spanning over 20 miles throughout the island.
What to do
Wildlife viewing through seasons: Antelope Island offers changing wildlife viewing opportunities based on the time of year. Bridger Bay Campground provides access to diverse wildlife areas. "This place is weird and awesome. There's bison roaming around, badgers, and tons of great birds to watch. There's some really cool stuff scattered along the beach along the Salt Lake," notes Kaila R.
Mountain biking trails: Several trail networks connect through the island with varying difficulty levels. Silver Lake Backcountry offers access to mountain biking routes. "Have to hike in! You can't drive to the coordinates, you have to park at the uppermost parking lot for Silver Flat and hike up to a camping spot," advises Cortlan S., highlighting the need for planning mountain access.
Winter hiking options: The park remains open year-round with special winter programs. "I stayed at site 6 in mid April. There is no tree coverage, but each campsite has an awning for shade. I highly recommend hiking to Frary Peak. There are many other great hikes, buffalo, and antelope," shares Bryan K.
What campers like
Island isolation: Despite proximity to urban areas, the island provides isolation. White Rock Bay Campground offers secluded campsites. "The campground is very spread out and provides lots of space between you & other campers, so that's a plus. The views of the island mountains and the Great Salt Lake were another plus," reports Caroline N.
Wildlife encounters: Free-roaming wildlife frequently approaches campsites. "We saw fox that came right up to our tent and lots of bison close by. Quiet place," writes Whitney K. about her experience at White Rock Bay.
Star viewing conditions: Clear nights provide exceptional stargazing. "Beautiful star gazing, great temps. A little buggy on the trails nearby, but no issues near the campsite. There were awnings for the picnic tables which was great, and it was a short walk to the Great Salt Lake!" shares Leah W.
What you should know
Biting insect seasons: No-see-ums and biting gnats create significant challenges during warmer months. North Fork County Park offers an alternative equestrian camping option. "This place is favorite spot to camp if I'm staying local. There are so many spots, and they are all very private. The Camp hosts are great! There's a hidden waterfall you can hike too, and a river runs through the park," recommends Debbie P.
Limited shade coverage: Most campsites lack natural shade. "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 Becca S. about White Rock Bay.
Wind exposure: Sites have minimal wind protection. "We were in a tent and the wind shook our tent back and forth all night. No sleep. But the views getting out of the tent in the morning were incredible," Caroline N. explains about White Rock Bay.
Legend
