SALT LAKE

Antelope Island

If you’re heading to Antelope Island hoping to drive your way through a bison parade, manage expectations. There aren’t many roads, and the island doesn’t roll out a red carpet of wildlife on command. You’ll need to stretch your legs and hit the trails to get the real experience. We drove down a few road and got lucky—four buffalo casually grazing off in the distance. Not a stampede, but definitely not zero. 

What to Know Before You Go:

• Open daily: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. (gate closes at sunset)

• Entry fee: $15 per vehicle

• Best way to explore: Hiking—most roads don’t reach the scenic spots

• Wildlife sightings: Bison, antelope, coyotes, and birds—if you’re patient

• Popular trails: Frary Peak (steep but panoramic), Buffalo Point (short and scenic)

• Best time to visit: Spring and fall—summer heat is brutal and the bugs get aggressive

• Cell service: Spotty at best—download maps ahead of time

Bonneville Salt Flats

The Bonneville Salt Flats look like someone left Earth on mute. It’s flat, it’s bright, and it’s freakishly silent. Perfect for photos, bad for your shoes. There’s not much to “do” here—this is more of a “be amazed” type of stop. No trails, no trees, no bathrooms unless you hit the Speedway. Just salt, sun, and the occasional tourist doing awkward yoga poses for Instagram. We wandered far enough to make our legs tired and our car dusty, and yes, we 100% recommend it.

What to Know Before You Go:

• Location: West of Salt Lake City, right off I-80 near Wendover

• Entry fee: Free—unless you’re racing at the Speedway

• Drive-on access: Usually allowed when dry—do NOT attempt when wet

• What to bring: Sunglasses, water, and maybe a backup pair of shoes

• Best time to visit: Sunrise or sunset—midday glare will fry your eyeballs

• Photography tip: Reflections after rain make for surreal shots

• Fun fact: It’s real salt—don’t lick it, you don’t know where it’s been