Antelope Island State Park will host its 40th annual Bison Roundup on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, as hundreds of horseback riders move nearly 800 bison toward northern corrals to facilitate vital health screenings. The event, which includes a public festival at White Rock Bay, serves as a primary tool for managing the island's large bison population through vaccinations and population control.
The Roundup Process
The roundup, which begins at 9 a.m. with riders departing from Fielding Garr Ranch, involves pushing the bison herds from the east side of the island over the ridge toward the north side. According to Utah State Parks, the herd will be moved into holding corrals to reduce stress levels and prepare the animals for the second phase of the operation.
Public Festivities
Park Manager Doranne Pittz told the Standard-Examiner that the process involves dozens of riders pushing the herds toward White Rock Bay. Once the animals reach the corrals, the Roundup Rendezvous festival will open at White Rock Bay at 10 a.m. and remain active until the last bison reaches the corrals. The festivities are expected to include food trucks, vendor booths, musicians, pony rides, face painting, and games.
Viewing and Access
While the bison are typically pushed into the corrals between noon and 3 p.m., State Parks officials cautioned that the exact timing cannot be predicted because the bison are wild animals. Visitors are encouraged to bring camp chairs or blankets to the White Rock Bay viewing area. Additionally, the new Antelope Island State Park Visitor Center will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the event.
Traffic and Safety Measures
To manage traffic and ensure safety, a cap of 500 vehicles will be implemented on the island's east side road. This measure was previously used during the 2025 roundup to create a smoother experience for visitors, according to Pittz. Because the island's east side road has limited access, officials recommend that visitors arrive early to avoid heavy traffic at the park entrance and the causeway at the west end of Antelope Drive in Syracuse.
Health and Maintenance
The roundup is followed by the 'Working of the Bison,' scheduled for Oct. 27–29, 2026. During this phase, staff will sort each animal to perform vaccinations, pregnancy screenings, and parasite checks. Each bison will also receive an RFID tag to link its health information to a permanent digital record. Public tours are available during this phase, though school and group leaders must reserve in advance.
Population Control and Auction
Managing the herd size is necessary because the island can only support approximately 500 to 550 bison, and the herd produces between 100 and 200 calves annually. Because there are no large natural predators on the island to control the population, surplus animals are sold to balance the food supply for other species like pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and mule deer.
Economic Impact and Auction Results
The surplus bison will be sold in an online auction scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026, with part of the revenue used for habitat work and bison facility improvements. In 2025, the auction saw 257 animals sold, generating a total of $626,950, according to records from Utah State Parks.
