My favorite place to enjoy the outdoors in Northern Utah is located just a short distance from Ogden. Antelope Island is one of the most unique places I’ve come across since I’ve moved to Utah. Not only does the island have some of the most amazing views, but it offers some of the best trails to hike, mountain bike, and horseback ride through as well as numerous campsites and look-out spots for bison and other indigenous creatures that frequently roam around the salt flats.

Antelope Island was named by the explorers John C. Fremont and Kit Carson, who observed several pronghorn antelope grazing on the range lands. The island was used as a ranch, built by Fielding Garr in 1848 and became the oldest continually inhabited Anglo home in the state of Utah. The state of Utah finally purchased the island for a State Park in 1981.  

Antelope Island features numerous activities that people from all levels and experience can enjoy and participate in. Get out your paddle board or kayak and paddle across the island. Put on your hiking boots and climb up Frary Peak, the highest peak on the island, and relish in the incredible view from the top of the mountain. Take a drive through the park and explore White Rock Bay, Egg Island Overlook and Buffalo Point. Enjoy a nice buffalo burger for lunch at the Island Buffalo Grill. Set up your tent and build a fire and witness the sunset and sunrise at one of the various campsites on the island.

What are you waiting for? Grab some friends and see all that Antelope Island has to offer. Be sure to check out the Star Party on Saturday, April 25, 2015  from 6:30pm to 11:30pm. For more information about this event or about the park, visit their website at http://stateparks.utah.gov/park/antelope-island-state-park.