Willard Bay South Marina & Campground, Willard, Utah

     After pricing Willard Bay State Park Campground, we opted for the $25 a night Willard Bay South Marina and Campground.  It was pretty much one big parking lot, but the sites were well spaced, most having a covered picnic table in the grass.  There was plenty of shade trees so it was a lot better than I imagined from the satellite view.  Each site had full hookups, which was nice, however, the sewer system ran below the parking lot and there was a vented manhole cover just a few feet from our door.  This was two problems, the smell, and the number of bugs that circled around it.  Since we were staying for just two nights and weren’t planning on sitting outside much because of the mosquitos, we didn’t change sites.  We probably should have, judging by the number of gnats that found their way into the coach by the second night.

      While there we drove down to the historic 25^th Street in Ogden, only to find that everything was closed on Mondays.  So, after looking at the map, Jackie suggested that we check out Antelope Island State Park. It was a great park which featured antelope, buffalo, and lots of birds.  There was a couple of campgrounds a visitor center, and a burger stand, which featured buffalo burgers.  We were assured that the buffalo came from South Dakota.  We didn’t go for the buffalo, but both our hamburgers were outstanding.  We learned the history of the island and of the Great Salt Lake and how the level of the lake changed over time.  Perfect, if you’re into that sort of thing like we are.  The Visitor Center also had this cool birdhouse.

       Overall, the park nice enough and would be great if you had a boat.  (just don’t park near a manhole cover) On the upside, we did see a pair of great horned owls and a couple of beautiful sunsets.  On the way out, you exit through the park gate and then there is about a mile of straight two-lane road and halfway down the road is a second gate which has two concrete bollards sticking up right in the middle of the road splitting the lanes.  If you’re not paying attention….

    (from Utah State Parks)   Boat, swim, water ski, and fish on the warm waters of Willard Bay.  Camp under tall cottonwood trees that frame the night sky. During winter months, Willard Bay is a wildlife watching area for nesting eagles. Two areas, North and South Marinas, offer all the amenities for a weekend at the Bay.