Antelope Island

This past weekend some of my extended family and I took a trip to Antelope Island Utah. If you are from you area I'm sure you know what this place is. The island is a great place to take families for day hikes and to see some things that can't really be seen anywhere else in the country with out exerting your self to much, however you you can choose to do some of the many trails on the island if that is more your style. The island is located right in the middle of the Great Salt Lake so you if you live or are staying anywhere from Sandy to Ogden this is a must see place.

To reach Antelope Island head towards Layton on I-15 and exit at Antelope drive. once off the Interstate turn west and stay on this road. You will come a cross a tole booth. The island is a state park so it does cost to enter the park. The fee isn't to much its 9 dollars for a car load of people per day. More information about the fees can be found at http://www.utah.com/stateparks/antelope_island.htm.

As for things to do you can choose to go camping on the island. It is a little pricey for my taste for the style of camping you are doing. there is a marina for a boat if you wish you boat on the lake. Be careful with boating, remember that the water is salty, very salty and could damage your boat if you don't take the appropriate precautions. The lake is not that deep and it veries a lot depending on weather. There is a visitor center on the island with some historic information, talking about the lake, how it was formed, and the unique smell you get to experience there. there is also two gift shops on the island for the nick nack inclined and small resteraunt that you can eat bisan burgers. On the sothern end of the island there is the GARR Ranch. On the island you can rent horses to ride on the trails and see all the places that you can't see from the road or you can adverture on foot or Bycikle. Getting off the beaten track is the best way to see the wildlife, wich include bisan, antelope and many other animals that are more common.

I would also highly recomend people take a moment to stop and the Ranger Air Force memorial on the island. It is the first turn off on the island. This memorial is to remember the brave Army Rangers and Air Force indiviuals that died in a terrable helicopter accident on the lake during a training exersize.

For pictures it would best suit you to get off the road and hike the trails to see tha animals and a telephoto linse is a must. Many of the animals are used to people being around but to get the good canded wildlife shots keep your distance and utalise a telephoto linse. There are several other things to get pictures of but the island is mostly deserty terain. I found that othere than wildlife you are most likely going to get a few good macro shots. You can also get some interesting pictures of people floating in the salt lake for the more people/creative photographers.