Activities are packed into little Davis County

When people think of Davis County, probably the first things to come to mind are the buffalo on Antelope Island, the thrills of Lagoon and the morning commute.

These are the items that most frequently appear in the news.

Davis County is, in fact, the smallest of Utah's 29 counties, but it holds the third largest population, which leaves some people thinking there's not much room left in the way of recreation.

But there is plenty of room left.

What you know:

Along with Antelope Island and Lagoon, there are other well-known places like the Farmington Bay Bird Refuge on the shore of the Great Salt Lake, which is popular with bikers, waterfowl hunters and birdwatchers. There are more than 200 species of birds that have been documented there, everything from white pelicans to horned grebes.

More toward the heart of the county is Cherry Hill, selected by "Trailer Life" magazine as one of the best destination campgrounds in the United States. Even residents of the county have found Cherry Hill a great getaway. Among its offerings are a waterpark, miniature golf, batting cages, climbing wall, kiddy playport and playground. Oh, yes, and 180 campsites.

As with all of the communities along the Wasatch Front, there are access points to the popular Bonneville Shoreline Trail, which is the waterline for old Lake Bonneville and runs along the mountain range at an elevation of around 5,200 feet. The section that runs through the county has been completed and goes from the Kaysville Vista Course to Adams Canyon. The trail is popular with hikers and horse owners.

The Mueller Park loop is one of the more popular trails along the Wasatch Front with hikers and bikers. The 13.5-mile loop starts at the picnic area, goes to North Canyon and then returns to the park. A number of bikers and hikers prefer out-and-back rides or hikes and forgo the steep, rocky climb to North Canyon. For bikers, there is some great single-track riding without a lot of climb.

The S & S Railroad Park and Museum in Farmington is another focal point gaining attention. What started as a hobby is now a working railroad with 11,000 feet of 7 1/2-gauge track and 5,000 feet of 24-gauge rail, with more than 90 engines and cars and a full-size replica of a 1920s Union Pacific Freight Station complete with snack bar and gift shop. There are more than 20 miniature trains that are large enough for people to ride. The park is the dream of model-train enthusiast Steve Flanders. Trains depart every half hour, Monday through Thursday.