Antelope Island State Park Visitor Center on track to open in 2026

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — It’s that time of year when spring fever hits and people are itching to get outdoors. Antelope Island State Park is a good place to visit if you want to see wildlife up close, while staying just as close to civilization. However, visitors need to be prepared to expect some temporary changes while construction continues on a new visitor and learning center.   

During any given afternoon, the sounds of construction ring out across the arid landscape of Antelope Island as crews work on the new visitor and learning center. 

“It’s going to be fantastic,” Park Manager Doranne Pittz told ABC4. “We’re going to be rivaling probably the Natural History Museum with our exhibits and how they’re all going to be interactive and immersive.”   

The new center is scheduled to open during the first part of 2026.

“We are going to have a large 3D IMAX theater that’s going to show a film of the Great Salt Lake,” added Pittz. “We’re going to have a conference area where we can host conferences and meetings and even wedding venues out here, so we’re really excited about all that it has to offer.”  

Due to construction, there is currently no running water on the island. Pittz said they expect to have the water back on around mid-May.

“Bring your water, but we still have lots of things to do,” she said.

It’s spring, which means it’s calving season on the island — a big draw for visitors this time of year.

“They are dropping, so we’re going to have little red dogs, as we call them, running all over the place,” Pittz explained. “They’ll be red for a few weeks before they turn to that nice brown coat. Come out and see those babies.”  

The island’s iconic bison herd draws visitors from around the world. Taldil Ngirmechaet, a visitor from Las Vegas, shared that she saw a few crossing the street, calling it the highlight of her day.

“I never thought I would get that close or see them cross the street; that’s why we pulled over,” she said.

People aren’t the only ones watching the bison. About a mile down the road from where Ngirmechaet got to see bison for the first time, a lone coyote followed the herd closely, keeping an eye on the new calves.

An example of what visitors can expect to see even while the visitor center is under construction.

“Right now, on the island, we’re coming into our event season,” added Pittz. “Make sure that you check the website so that you can see all the exciting things that you have.”  

One of those events will be Spider Fest. During the summer, orb weavers take over the island. The park hosts an annual festival to teach the public more about the spiders that call the area home. It’s a favorite event for two frequent campers.  

“It kind of feels like you’re in a whole other world when you’re out here,” park visitor Mark Gilbert said. “It’s not that far out here, but once you get here, it’s peace and quiet.”

His wife Shelly, who was wearing a Spider Fest shirt, added, “The sunsets are incredible.”  

The couple has been camping on the island for years. They visit throughout the year.

“We keep coming back to the island,” Gilbert said. “We have a lot of opportunities around our home, but we still find ourselves back here because of the peace and quiet and the animals you can see.” 

For those who might not want to rough it, the park also has three cottages that can be rented. However, they are not available until the water is turned back on.