Stay Safe at Antelope Island State Park
Antelope Island is an amazing place to recreate outdoors, there is so much to see and do, but like all things outdoors there is the potential for dangerous situations. In this article I will give you a few suggestions on how to stay safe while exploring Utah’s flagship state park.
Perhaps the most visible potential danger out there are the critters that call Antelope Island home. The bison are the most iconic and readily seen for sure, but most wildlife has the potential to be dangerous if we do not give them the respect they deserve while we explore their backyard. Whether it’s a snake (there are no venomous snakes on the island by the way) slithering across the trail, or a 2000-pound bull bison, the best rule of thumb when encountering wildlife is to give them plenty of room. I always say, get as far back as you think you need to be to be safe, and then double the distance. In this case more is better so give them a wide berth. Remember never to try and touch or feed any of the wildlife on the island. Young coyote pups are famous, or infamous, for begging visitors for food. All too often a soft-hearted visitor will give in and feed one of these tenacious beggars. More often than not that marks the beginning of the end for that little pup. If the coyote gets used to being fed by people, they may never learn to effectively hunt for their own food. This leads to starvation when the visitation gets low, or the people just quit feeding the animal. Occasionally, that hand fed coyote may nip or bite at a visitor during these food exchanges, this leads to the animal having to be euthanized in the name of public safety. The park staff never feed any of the wildlife on the island and neither should you as a visitor.
Another big potential for danger on Antelope Island is the weather. The weather on the island can change quickly. From extremely strong winds kicking up suddenly, to a spring or fall storm that drops the temperature 20 degrees in a matter of minutes, it’s best to be prepared for anything when you venture out. The easiest way to ensure that you can get back to your vehicle if something does happen is to make sure you always remain on the trails. Not only is it a park rule, that you could get a citation for if you break, it is also a good safety practice. If you leave the trail, and a storm or low clouds set in, it is very easy to get turned around. It’s a long walk home in the wrong direction if you lose your way while out hiking. Another important tip while recreating outdoors is to dress in layers. Whether it’s a summer hike, or a snowy winter trek up the hill, layers are a very important part of helping guard yourself from mother nature. Take plenty of water with you, this is just as important in the winter as it is in the summer believe it or not. Stay hydrated any time you are exerting yourself in the great outdoors. Plan, make sure you know what trail you plan to take and stick to it. Also, let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. This helps park officials in the case that they need to assist you off the mountain, if they know where to start to look it can greatly reduce search and rescue time.
Antelope Island is an amazing place to explore, there are over 30 miles of trail available to its visitors. It’s my hope that some of these suggestions will help you stay safe on your next outing. Now get out and enjoy all that Antelope Island has to offer.
