Parking: 41.02483, -112.23969
Outhouse: 41.02547, -112.24067
Trailhead: 41.02381, -112.23967
Trail Fork and Bench: 40.98981, -112.2219
Elephant Head Trailend: 40.98728, -112.24398
Antelope Island will always be one of my most favorite places to visit in Utah. This is one of the longer trails on the island, but I think it’s a great one! If you are looking for a 4-5 hour hike on the island than this is for you. I loved getting to the end of the trail and having an amazing overlook to the Great Salt Lake.
The hike to Elephant Head is a long hike. It’s about 4.60 miles to the trailend, but overall, the trail is not difficult. In fact, the trail is a nice dirt/rock trail the entire way. You won’t be gaining much in elevation until about the last 1/3 of the hike.
The trailhead begins on the southeast side of the White Rock Bay Campground. Use the restroom before you go since there aren’t any outhouses along the way. The trail begins on the same trail as the White Rocks Loop Trail, so just watch for signs or download my Trail Map as a guide.
The first part of the trail is on a wide unpaved road. We saw some bison in the distance and that’s how we like it! You never want to get close to a bison or other wildlife. This is their home and you never want to disturb them. They have been known to gore hikers and bikers on the island. Don’t let that scare you though. If you see a bison on the trail, just wait until it passes over it. Keep your distance and never approach it.
This hike is a great one for all the amazing views of the Great Salt Lake and classic Antelope Island Scenery it offers. It’s my belief that the west side of the island is the best one. It’s incredibly peaceful out here too! We stopped many times for pictures and just to enjoy the silence.
We hiked in late fall, so it was a little cold. We were prepared though and you should be too. If you are wanting to hike this in the summer, then you should know that there are tons of annoying no-see-em bugs. These bugs are so small that often times, you can’t see them. I hiked out here in the summer last year and these bugs would bite my scalp and I had an itchy head for about 2 weeks! This is why it’s recommended to not hike during the summer.
The trail will eventually cut back up the valley to gain a little elevation until you come to Trail Fork and Bench, (check the GPS coordinates above). This is a fork in the trail that goes left or right. We rested here for a minute and then continued to the right. It’s here where you will gain most of the elevation.
The trail will eventually cut west and you will come to another trail fork. Take the right trail to continue to Elephant Head. The trail to the left goes on the Split Rock Loop Trail and other trails.
You will now be hiking along the ridge of Elephant Head. This was a fun part of the adventure due to the many large boulders and rocks you will be hiking through.
There are several social trails here, so just be careful you don’t take a trail that goes back down into the valley. Stay high on the trail. There will be three switchbacks before you gain a little more elevation.
When you are almost to the trailend you will circle around the Elephant Head and now be hiking south until the trail just ends.
I absolutely love the amazing views of the Great Salt Lake. The lake almost looks like the ocean.
After you have enjoyed the views, head back on the same trail.
