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2 Unique Adventures Near Salt Lake City

2 Must-Take Adventures from Salt Lake City

1. Antelope Island State Park

Encounter scenic natural beauty and an abundance of wildlife on Great Salt Lake at Antelope Island State Park. It's a short 50 minute drive north of Salt Lake City near Syracuse, Utah, and is the largest island in the lake, becoming a peninsula when water levels are low. Not only can you find breath-taking views of the lake and rocks older than the Grand Canyon, but encounter free-range bison, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, mule deer, jackrabbits, and a variety of birds. Explore the island on foot along one of the many trails, from your car, from your campsite, or rent one of the e-bikes for a unique sight seeing experience! The park is open year round, and you'll pay a small fee to enter the island via one of the causeway entrances. Pro-tip: time your visit to capture sunset over the lake!

2. Bonneville Salt Flats

West of Salt Lake City, about an hour and forty-five minute drive on I-80, you can experience one of America’s most unique landscapes, the Bonneville Salt Flats. Although the drive is long, the trip itself is a part of the fun. Shuffle a favorite playlist as you take in the sights of the rocky and rugged Utah desert along the drive. Be sure to stop for gas and food before getting too far outside of SLC as there aren’t an abundance of options along the route. For GPS, plug in the Bonneville Speedway, famous in motor sports as the site of multiple land speed records of 400+ mph. Before the exit for the speedway, you’ll notice a rest stop. Be sure to pull over here! This unassuming stop has some unbelievable sights. What looks like solid white fresh snow backdropped by mountains is actually compacted sheets of salt. The unusual view makes for a great photo opportunity. Take some time to walk onto the salt for the full experience. Look for water spray stations to get the salt off your shoes before hopping back into the car and heading on to the speedway, just a short drive away.

At the Bonneville Speedway, you’ll see more amazing white landscapes, as well as cars and motorcycles who have ventured onto the salt (if conditions are right, look for posted signs to let you know if it’s safe to drive). The nearest town is just across the state line in Wendover, Nevada. Some of the best food can be found in the casinos, so grab a quick bite and refuel before heading back to Salt Lake City!