South Island Trail | Antelope Island

Hiking South Island Trail - Antelope Island Hiking South Island Trail

Antelope Island

Overview | Getting There | Route | Photos | Maps | Comments

Overview

RATING: Moderate Hike

Wed

Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Northwest wind around 2 mph.

40 | 28

Thu

Mostly sunny, with a high near 40.

40 | 27

Fri

Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.

39 | 26

Sat

Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

41 | 27

Sun

A slight chance of rain before 8am, then a slight chance of rain and snow between 8am and 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

42 | 30

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SEASON: Late fall, winter, early spring
GEAR: Standard Hiking Gear
WATER: None.

Wed

Mostly sunny, with a high near 40. Northwest wind around 2 mph.

40 | 28

Thu

Mostly sunny, with a high near 40.

40 | 27

Fri

Mostly sunny, with a high near 39.

39 | 26

Sat

Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

41 | 27

Sun

A slight chance of rain before 8am, then a slight chance of rain and snow between 8am and 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

42 | 30

View Full Weather Details
The south island trail in morning light.

The south island trail in morning light.

The South Island Trail seems less popular than the trails on the west side of the island, or the Frary Peak Trail, but is one of my favorites. Visiting the trail at sunrise on a cold winter day can be magic! The trail follows a dirt road as it ambles south on the east side of the island to Unicorn Point at the very southern tip of Antelope Island.

Compared to the other trails I have visited on the island; this one also had the most wildlife. Maybe it was the day, or maybe the animals prefer the quiet east side. I counted 7 coyotes and dozens of buffalo on a cold winter morning along the trail.

Note: The trail is 8 miles round trip, except when it isn’t! In winter, the road is closed at Fielding Garr Ranch, adding 3.2 miles and bumping up the round-trip distance to 11.2 miles.
Season: I recommend this trail in late fall, winter, or early spring. Bugs and heat can be oppressive during the warmer times of the year.
Locals hanging out in the sun on a cold winter day.

Locals hanging out in the sun on a cold winter day.

Getting There

The trailhead is reach by first getting to Antelope Island. This is off I-15, west of Layton. Take exit 332 off I-15, and head west on Antelope Drive. About 7 miles from the freeway is the entrance to the park.

From the entrance to the park, cross the causeway and go left at the first junction after the causeway. Shortly after take the next left, staying on Antelope Road that is signed for Frary Peak. Follow this paved road about 12 miles to the end of the road and small parking area for the South Island Trail.

Note: In the winter, the road is closed at the Fielding Garr Ranch, and requires an additional 1.6 mile hike each way to get to the trailhead.
Sunrise near the summer trailhead.

Sunrise near the summer trailhead.

Route

From the trailhead, follow the dirt road that is closed to all but authorized vehicles south. The has a few gentle ups and downs, but is generally flat. The spine of Antelope Island is to the west while the Wasatch range looms to the east.

Three miles from the summer trailhead (4.6 from the Fielding Garr Ranch Trailhead) is the only junction on the trail. The road splits, with the left road going east onto the mud flats. Stay right here, continuing an additional mile to the end of the road at the southern tip of Antelope Island, Unicorn Point.

The end of the trail has good views south of the Oquirrh Mountains, and of the Stansbury Mountains and Stansbury Island to the west. Return the same way.


Maps

Route / 8.33 miles / Elevation Range 4,121 - 4,209 ft.
Printable Maps:

Winter Trailhead

12T 401547mE 4531329mN

N40° 55' 38" W112° 10' 10"
Trailhead

12T 401236mE 4528926mN

N40° 54' 20" W112° 10' 22"
Jct - Left

12T 401119mE 4524245mN

N40° 51' 48" W112° 10' 24"

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