Interpretive Programs and Special Events
2023 Events
June 3
THIS EVENT IS FULL
Sunset/Moonrise Kayak Tour
***Registration is Required***
Experience Great Salt Lake in a different light as the sun sets and the full moon rises over the Wasatch mountain range.
A limited number of kayaks are available to those who need them.
Regular park entry fees apply. There is no additional fee for this tour.
For safety considerations, space for this tour is limited.
Contact tackley@utah.gov with any questions and to register. Please include the number of people in your party.
June 7
Ungulates of Antelope Island
9:15pm Bridger Bay Campground Amphitheater
Campers, – explore differences among the island’s most prominent wildlife species; bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn and mule deer. We will discuss how to improve your opportunities of viewing these animals during your visit to Antelope Island.
Note: Parking is not available at this location. Please make your way to the amphitheater by using the trail connecting the campground loops.
There is no fee for this program. Contact stevenbates@utah.gov with any questions.
Park Impacts: None
June 23
Who’s Home on the Range?
8:30pm Bridger Bay Campground Amphitheater
Campers! Join the park naturalist to hear about some of the most common critters you’ll find at Antelope Island. Parking is not available at this venue. Please use marked trials for access.
There is no additional fee for this program. Contact tackley@utah.gov with any questions.
Park Impacts: None
June 24
OAS Star Party
7:00pm White Rock Bay Trailhead
Join the Ogden Astronomical Society for an evening of sun and star gazing. Safely look at our sun through telescopes, then distant objects in our universe after sunset. This is a public, come and go as you wish event.
There is no fee for this program – regular park entry fees do apply. Contact tackley@utah.gov with any questions.
Park Impacts: None
July 8
Junior Ranger Program
Owls: What’s on the menu?
1:00pm Visitor Center
We’ve collected evidence of owl meals. We need Junior Rangers to help us determine what they’ve been eating.
This program is designed for youth, but children of all ages are invited. Junior Ranger candidates that complete this program will earn a Junior Ranger badge.
There is no fee for this program – regular park entry fees apply.
Contact tackley@utah.gov for more information.
Park Impacts: None
July 12
Wildlife Program Overview
9:15pm Bridger Bay Campground Amphitheater
Campers, come learn the ins and outs of wildlife management on Antelope Island. We will discuss what it takes to keep wildlife populations healthy and abundant in order to provide watchable wildlife viewing opportunities for our visitors. Note: Parking is not available at this location. Please make your way to the amphitheater by using the trail connecting the campground loops.
There is no fee for this program. Contact stevenbates@utah.gov with any questions.
Park Impacts: None
July 15
Scorpion Tour
9:00pm Visitor Center Amphitheater
Meet at the Visitor Center for a brief presentation, after which we’ll drive to an area frequented by scorpions. Bring a UV/Black light if you have one. Lights can be loaned on a first come/first served basis. No scorpions will be collected or harmed during this tour!
This event is free, but regular park entry fees apply. Contact tackley@utah.gov with any questions.
Park Impact: None
July 22
UMFA in the Wild | Fantastical Landscapes
10:00am Visitor Center Amphitheater
Join the UMFA in Utah’s amazing wilderness to experience nature and make art. Get inspired by the artwork in the UMFA collection called Hot Dog Bridge by Russel Gordon and make your own strange and fanciful drawings of objects in the landscape. Will pancakes fly over the mountains? Will you swim in a river of stars? It’s all up to you and your imagination.
There is no fee for this program – regular park entry fees do apply. Contact virginia.catherall@umfa.utah.edu with any questions.
Park Impacts: None
July 22
Owl Prowl!
9:00am Visitor Center
Join us for a short presentation about the types of owls you’ll find at Antelope Island. We’ll then take a short 5-10 mile driving tour to visit locations frequented by owls. Spotting scopes and binoculars will be available, or bring your own. This will be fun for the whole family.
There is no fee for this event – regular park entry fees do apply. Contact tackley@utah.gov with any questions.
Park Impacts: None
July 26
History of Bison on Antelope Island
9:15pm Bridger Bay Campground Amphitheater
Campers, celebrate one our nation’s oldest post-bottleneck bison herds! We will discuss the history of bison on Antelope Island and the herds’ management. We will consider contributions this herd has made as bison march forward on the path of recovery.
Note: Parking is not available at this location. Please make your way to the amphitheater by using the trail connecting the campground loops.
There is no fee for this program. Contact stevenbates@utah.gov with any questions.
Park Impacts: None
July 29
Annual Spider Festival
Every year, hundreds of orb weaver spiders make quite a showing with their webs in just about every bush and stationary object in the park. Come learn about these harmless spiders, as well as other spiders that live on Antelope Island and throughout Utah.
More information to come!
August 5
Great Salt Lake is Wonder-Full!
10:00am Visitor Center Amphitheater
Great Salt Lake is often described as “stinky”, “buggy” and “dead”. Join us for a discussion on all things that make our lake Wonder-Full – if not always wonderful.
There is no fee for this program – regular park entry fees do apply. Contact tackley@utah.gov with any questions.
Park Impact: None
August 9
Ungulates of Antelope Island
9:00pm Bridger Bay Campground Amphitheater
Campers, – explore differences among the island’s most prominent wildlife species; bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn and mule deer. We will discuss how to improve your opportunities of viewing these animals during your visit to Antelope Island.
Note: Parking is not available at this location. Please make your way to the amphitheater by using the trail connecting the campground loops.
There is no fee for this program. Contact stevenbates@utah.gov with any questions.
Park Impacts: None
August 12
OAS Star Party
7:00pm White Rock Bay Trailhead
Join the Ogden Astronomical Society for an evening of sun and star gazing. Safely look at our sun through telescopes, then distant objects in our universe after sunset. This is a public, come and go as you wish event.
There is no fee for this program – regular park entry fees do apply. Contact tackley@utah.gov with any questions.
Park Impacts: None
August 18
Who’s Home on the Range?
8:00pm Bridger Bay Campground Amphitheater
Campers! Join the park naturalist to hear about some of the most common critters you’ll find at Antelope Island. Parking is not available at this venue. Please use marked trials for access.
There is no additional fee for this program. Contact tackley@utah.gov with any questions.
Park Impacts: None
August 30
Wildlife Program Overview
8:30pm Bridger Bay Campground Amphitheater
Campers, come learn the ins and outs of wildlife management on Antelope Island. We will discuss what it takes to keep wildlife populations healthy and abundant in order to provide watchable wildlife viewing opportunities for our visitors. Note: Parking is not available at this location. Please make your way to the amphitheater by using the trail connecting the campground loops.
There is no fee for this program. Contact stevenbates@utah.gov with any questions.
Park Impacts: None
September 2
UMFA in the Wild | Make a Nature Rubbing Book
10:00am Visitor Center Amphitheater
Join the UMFA in Utah’s amazing wilderness to experience nature and make art. Learn about the variety of textures in nature and how artists represent them in paintings and drawings. Construct your own book to classify and record rubbings of the natural textures around you.
There is no fee for this program – regular park entry fees do apply. Contact virginia.catherall@umfa.utah.edu with any questions.
Park Impacts: None
September 9
OAS Star Party
6:00pm White Rock Bay Trailhead
Join the Ogden Astronomical Society for an evening of sun and star gazing. Safely look at our sun through telescopes, then distant objects in our universe after sunset. This is a public, come and go as you wish event.
There is no fee for this program – regular park entry fees do apply. Contact tackley@utah.gov with any questions.
Park Impacts: None
October 14
Annular Solar Eclipse
Join us, to (safely) stare at the sun as the moon moves across it, partially blocking its light. Solar viewing glasses will be available for purchase at the Visitor Center Gift Shop and other retailers. Never look at the sun without proper eye protection. More details for this event are coming. There is no fee for this program – regular park entry fees do apply.Contact tackley@utah.gov with any questions.
October 21
OAS Star Party
5:00pm White Rock Bay Trailhead
Join the Ogden Astronomical Society for an evening of sun and star gazing. Safely look at our sun through telescopes, then distant objects in our universe after sunset. This is a public, come and go as you wish event. For more information about the Ogden Astronomical Society, visit http://ogdenastronomy.org/
There is no fee for this program – regular park entry fees do apply. Contact tackley@utah.gov with any questions.
Park Impacts: None
October 28
2023 Annual Bison Roundup
Spectators, come and watch over 200 riders on horseback round up the island’s 750 bison during the annual bison roundup. The roundup is an important part of the bison and island management.
Park Impacts: Increased traffic on roadways. All trails but Buffalo Point, Ladyfinger Point and Lakeside Loop will be closed.
Roundup Watch Party / Exposition
Join us in White Rock Bay starting at 10:00 am to watch the team of riders make the final push leading bison into the corrals. We’ll have food, games and fun activities for families. Bring cash – some vendors may not be able to accept credit.
Contact tackley@utah.gov with any questions or if you are interested at participating as a vendor/exhibitor at this event.
November TBA
Working of the Bison
Join us at the bison corrals for an up-close (and safe) opportunity to see bison, and learn how and why they are managed.
Free walking tours will be given from 9am to 4pm with a lunch break at noon. A video tour of the working is also available at this event.
Park Impacts: None
November TBA
Bison Auction
This year’s live auction will take place online. Auction time and details TBA.
2024 Events
January 1
First Day Hike
Kick off the new year in a healthy way! Join the park naturalist for a hike at Antelope Island.
Time and trail information TBD.
This event is free- but regular park entry fees apply. Contact tackley@utah.gov with any questions.
Park Impacts: None
*Come back often for updates on more events and activities.