Interpretive Programs and Special Events
2025 Events
Roadside Discovery
Stop and say “hi” whenever you see our Roadside Discovery banner throughout the park. We’re checking out often overlooked creatures and features of Antelope Island.
Every Friday at 9:00am
Bird Walk at Fielding Garr Ranch
Meet at the picnic area at Fielding Garr Ranch. We’ll walk through the property’s densely populated wetland in search of your bucket-list bird. Binoculars are available to borrow for this event.
There is no additional charge for this activity – regular park entry fees apply. Contact tackley@utah.gov with any questions.
Park Impacts: None
2026 Events
January 1
First Day Hike
Choose Your Adventure!
Start 2026 with us! This year we will host THREE guided hikes to choose from for your annual First Day Hike tradition. Join us for one, or all three.
10:00am: Meet at the Gravel Pit trailhead for an approximately 5-mile round-trip hike to the historic flight beacon at Beacon Knob.
2:00pm: Meet at the Buffalo Point trailhead for a 1 mile round-trip hike to amazing views of Great Salt Lake and the wildlife below.
4:00pm: Meet at Ladyfinger Point for an easy 1/2 mile round-trip adventure through the rocks. This is a great trail for young families.
Leashed dogs are welcome on all of these trails – please plan to clean up after your dogs. No registration is required. Regular park entry fees apply. Contact tackley@utah.gov with any questions.
January 24
1:00pm Island Buffalo Grill Pavillion
Great Salt Lake is Wonder-Full
What comes to mind when you think of Great Salt Lake? Join us for a walk across Bridger Bay Beach while we discuss what makes her stinky, buggy and full of wonder. Leashed dogs are welcome on this walk – please plan to carry out their waste. There are no additional fees for this activity – regular park entry fees apply. Questions? Contact tackley@utah.gov
Park Impacts: None
August 15
Time TBD
Antelope Island SpiderFest
Arachnophiles and Arachnophobes come together to celebrate, or learn more about the Island’s most abundant wildlife – the spider! The festival brings food trucks, face painting, crafts, spider walks and more. Save the date and check here for more information as the date approaches.
Contact tackley@utah.gov with any questions.
October 24
Antelope Island Bison Roundup
Hosted each year at Antelope Island State Park, the Bison Roundup is a primary tool utilized to help ensure the continued health of one of the nation’s largest and oldest public bison herds. To help people better understand how the bison herd is managed, you can visit Antelope Island State Park the day of the event and experience it first-hand. Rider registration opens September 1 at 8:00am. A link will be posted here. Registration is not required for spectators. More info TBA. Questions? Contact tackley@utah.gov.
October 27-29
Antelope Island Bison Working
During the Working of the Bison, the animals are sorted and separated one at a time to receive their vaccinations. They receive individual health screenings that include checks for pregnancies, parasites, and health issues.
Free public tours and media opportunities are available all three days of this phase. Educators and other group organizers: please reserve group tours by emailing tackley@utah.gov. Group reservations are limited and tours are not guaranteed for groups without reservations.
November 4
Bison Auction
The manageable herd size for bison on the island is between around 500-550 bison, and each year there are between 100-200 calves born into the herd. With no natural predators on the island capable of taking down a bison, it is necessary to artificially reduce the herd size to balance out the food supply.
By selling excess bison at a public auction, park staff are able to keep the herd within a number the habitat can support. Ideally, the plan calls for a herd size of about 550 bison. This will be an online auction. Contact bwmorris@utah.gov with any questions.
Fall 2026 (Date TBD)
Ranch Fall Fest
Food trucks and other vendors will be on site, as well as face painting, pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treating, pioneer games and family friendly ghost tours. Wagon and pony rides will be offered by Rhodes Valley Outfitters. Costumes are encouraged! While most are free, some activities at this festival will require payment. Regular park entry fees apply. Contact antelopeislandranch@utah.gov with any questions.
Park Impacts: Increased traffic at Fielding Garr Ranch