Utah RV Travel Beyond the Mighty 5 National Parks
Utah is a state many RVers put on their travel bucket list; it’s well known for its five famous national parks, each with diverse landscapes of river-carved canyons, towering hoodoos, multicolored mesas, natural amphitheaters, and sparkling waterfalls. Utah is an incredible vacation destination for RVers seeking adventure activities such as hiking, biking, white-water rafting, kayaking, and more.
When you’re done touring the national parks, including Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, Zion, and Bryce Canyon, don’t overlook some of the lesser-known destinations Utah has to offer, like Antelope Island State Park.
Discovering Antelope Island State Park
We found a jewel of a state park that is full of wildlife and breathtaking sunsets. Antelope Island State Park is located on the Great Salt Lake between Salt Lake City and Ogden.
Antelope Island is home to free-ranging bison, mule deer, bighorn sheep, pronghorn (antelope), and many other desert animals. It’s also known for the millions of birds that congregate along the shores surrounding the island, offering amazing opportunities for bird watching.
Rare wildlife sighting in Utah
During one of our bike rides, we even had a rare sighting of an animal. It crossed the road in front of us, then quickly disappeared into the tall grasses and desert landscape.
No, it wasn’t Sasquatch!
We didn’t believe our eyes until we did a Google search and read an article that a lone wolverine had been filmed crossing the salt flats on the shores of Antelope Island. Once a candidate for endangered species listing, this predator is almost never seen in Utah.
I’m not saying you will see a wolverine or sasquatch, but you just never know what you will see in the early morning hours or right before dusk on a bike ride or hike on the island.
Hiking trails on Antelope Island
There is so much to do on Antelope Island for adventures. Hikers will love the diverse hiking opportunities. We found 14 great trails on our hiking app to explore. Several of the trails have curated trail maps and reviews for nature lovers like us.
There are trails ranging from 98 to 2,329 feet in elevation gain. Whatever level of hiker you are, you can find the perfect trail for your ability.
If you’re looking for additional guidance, the park’s visitor center has rangers who can help you find the perfect trail for your needs.
Biking, horseback riding, and dark skies
For mountain bikers, the park’s backcountry trails offer opportunities to take in spectacular views of the lake and island scenery. With 36 miles of hiking and mountain bike trails, you’ll find one perfect for you.
We stayed on the roads using our e-bikes and found it was a great way to explore the island. If you don’t travel with bikes, there is a bike rental company that offers guided electric bike tours of Antelope Island.
Another way to experience the trails is by horseback. Rhodes Valley Outfitters at Antelope Island offers guided horseback tours.
Besides hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, and sightseeing, the Island offers dark night skies perfect for stargazers.
Step back in time at Fielding Garr Ranch
Another must-do is to step back in time with a visit to the historic Fielding Garr Ranch. The first permanent structure at this site was a small log cabin built in 1848 by Fielding Garr.
There is a self-guided tour and exhibits that give you a historical look at life on the island. Fielding Garr Ranch is also one of the few areas in the park with large trees that provide some shade, and there are picnic tables for the perfect lunch stop.
RV camping at Antelope Island State Park
For RV travelers, Antelope Island has four campgrounds and one group campground.
Bridger Bay Campground is the largest and has the most facilities, including showers, flush toilets, picnic tables, fire pits, and shade shelters. There are several large pull-through and back-in sites with plenty of space between campsites.
Water and electricity are available in the upper loop (sites 27–64). Water is also available at the dump station in the upper loop. These oversized campsites with partial hookups offer both 30- and 50-amp service.
We found the flush restrooms and showers to be well maintained by park staff and cleaned daily. Fires are allowed only in designated fire pits, with seasonal fire restrictions in place.
Camping costs* are very reasonable and your campground reservation covers the park’s entrance fee.
- $30 per night (no hookups)
- $40 per night (hookups)
- $18 fee for an additional vehicle
*Prices are subject to change. These are the current prices listed on the park’s website as of January 1, 2026.
If you’re still dialing in your campground preferences or planning longer RV trips through Utah, Family RV Association offers resources that help RVers compare campgrounds, plan routes, and travel smarter.
Important things to know before visiting Antelope Island
There are some things visitors need to be aware of when visiting the island.
One of the biggest dangers when hiking on Antelope Island is the hot, dry climate. There is little to no shade on these hikes. Expect sun exposure, especially in the summer months.
Biting bugs can also be an issue during some months of the year. Biting flies are the most troublesome, and repellents are ineffective against them. These outbreaks typically happen between April and June.
Antelope Island belongs on your Utah RV itinerary
This was one of the most memorable stops for us during our full-time RV travels, and we highly recommend adding Antelope Island State Park to your Utah itinerary.
Related reads
Want to see more posts by Next Trekking Adventures? You might also enjoy:
- Working in National Parks
- Adventures in Northwest Arizona
- Discovering Bisbee — Arizona’s Hidden Gem in the Mule Mountains
- An Insider’s Look at Attending an FRVA RV Convention & Expo
All photos in this post are © Next Trekking Adventures and are used with permission.
 We are Mark & Teri Nisbett of Next Trekking Adventure, and you can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. We are high school sweethearts who sold our bricks-and-sticks home of 30 years to travel full-time. We travel in our 2022 Montana High Country fifth-wheel, towed by our Ford F-350 Super Duty truck. We had a rough start to our full-time travel, as five weeks into our adventures, we lost our RV to a fire at an RV park. But we didn’t give up on our dreams of seeing the United States. We purchased a new fifth wheel and pushed on with our RV life. We love sharing our adventures on our YouTube channel and can’t wait to share our season of adventures in Yellowstone National Park with you. |
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