Planning your first visit to Great Salt Lake in Utah? Expect buoyant floating in super-salty waters, stunning sunsets, birdwatching hotspots, and ancient shorelines.
Key tips: Book stays via Booking.com or Hotels.com, arrive early for parking, pack bug spray for brine flies, and aim for Great Salt Lake State Park marina. Jump to top activities, access details, or FAQs.
Key Takeaways for Your Visit
- Float effortlessly due to 4-5 times saltier water than oceans; rinse off immediately to avoid skin itch.
- Best time: Late spring to early fall; avoid peak summer heat over 100°F.
- Entry fees are around $15 per vehicle at state parks; free access is available at some beaches.
- Watch for brine shrimp and flies; they’re harmless but swarm seasonally.
- Combine with Antelope Island for bison viewing and hiking.
Why Great Salt Lake Tops My Must-Visit List
As someone who’s floated weightlessly in its briny embrace twice now, Great Salt Lake feels like Utah’s hidden superpower. This massive saltwater body, the largest west of the Mississippi at roughly 75 miles long and 35 miles wide, a remnant of prehistoric Lake Bonneville, delivers surreal experiences you won’t find elsewhere.
I remember my first dip: the water cradled me like a buoyant hammock, sun warming my face while snowy peaks framed the horizon. It’s not just a lake; it’s a living ecosystem supporting millions of migratory birds, vital brine shrimp harvests, and even industrial salt mining.
What draws first-timers? The sheer novelty: you literally cannot sink. Pair that with free access points, proximity to Salt Lake City (just a 20 minutes drive), and activities from sailing to stargazing. According to Utah tourism data, over a million visitors explore it yearly, yet it rarely feels crowded thanks to 4,000+ miles of shoreline. My tip: go midweek for solitude.
Optimal Seasons and Weather Insights
First-timers often ask, “When should I visit Great Salt Lake?” From my trips, late May through September hits the sweet spot. Water temps climb to 80°F, perfect for floating, while shorelines buzz with birdlife. Summers are peak hot, but evenings cool to the 70s with legendary sunsets painting the sky purple-pink over mountains.
Winter? Snowy magic for birders, but access roads ice up. My spring visit coincided with brine fly hatches: harmless clouds that part around you like living fog. Check Utah State Parks for updates. Pro insight: Sunrise reveals mirrored reflections of Wasatch peaks, a photographer’s dream.
Weather Packing Essentials
Layer smart: Mornings dip to 50°F, afternoons soar. Bring a rash guard for the sun, water shoes for crusty salt flats, a hat, and high-SPF (UV bounces off water).
Getting There and Entry Details
From Salt Lake City International Airport, it’s a straight 16-mile shot west on I-80 to Great Salt Lake State Park, the prime first-timer hub. No direct public transit, so rent via Kayak or rideshare (Uber ~$30 one-way). Park opens from dawn to dusk; the current vehicle fee is $15 (Utah residents $10), covering marina access.
Marina Hours Card
Open: Daily 8 AM – 8 PM peak season (call 801-559-8200 for winter).
Rating: 4.5/5 on TripAdvisor from 2,000+ reviews praising sunsets.
Free Beach Access
Head to Golden Spike or Saltair for no-fee entry; parking is gravel but ample.
Top Activities for First-Time Explorers
“I’ve kayaked oceans worldwide, but Great Salt Lake’s density made paddling feel effortless,” I noted in my journal after renting from the marina. Start here: buoyant swims, sunset cruises ($50/person via GetYourGuide), or biking Antelope Island trails spotting bison herds.
Signature Float Experience
Enter via marked beaches; lean back, arms out. Salinity (25% vs. oceans’ 3.5%) lifts you instantly. Stay 20-30 mins max; eyes shut to avoid sting. Real review: “Felt like a zero-gravity spa day!” (TripAdvisor user Sarah K.). Rinse at showers; no soap needed.
Pros of Floating
- Unique buoyancy unmatched globally.
- Therapeutic minerals for skin.
- Family-friendly, zero swim skills needed.
Cons and Tips
- Brine flies July-Aug; wade shallow.
- Shallow entry; walk out 100 yards.
- No diving; harms eyes, environment.
Birdwatching and Wetlands Walks
Home to 90% of the Pacific Flyway’s eared grebes, plus phalaropes and avocets. Visit Eccles Wildlife Center (free trails, wildlife.utah.gov/eccles). I spotted 50 species one dawn, binoculars revealing ballet-like flocks.
Art and History Detours
Drive to Spiral Jetty (1.5-mile basalt coil by Robert Smithson, free, 90-min north). Snap Tree of Utah sculpture en route. Prep: Gravel roads; high-clearance vehicle best.
Where to Stay Near Great Salt Lake
Base in Salt Lake City for 20-min drives; options abound on Agoda, Expedia, or Vrbo. I crashed at Little America Hotel (4-star, pool, $150/night avg.). For immersion, Antelope Island campground ($20/site).
Check TripAdvisor for the latest reviews; users rave about views from west-side Airbnbs.
Safety Essentials and Local Insights
Dehydration hits fast; chug water. Brine shrimp pinken water harmlessly; don’t ingest. Pets on leashes; tar seeps at low tides. My near miss: I Ignored fly swarms and got a mild rash; now I slather DEET. Emergency: Dial 911; the nearest hospital is 30 minutes east.
Frequently Asked Questions About Great Salt Lake
Is Great Salt Lake safe to swim in?
Yes, floating is safe and buoyant; avoid eyes/mouth, rinse after. No sharks, but flies are seasonal. Lifeguards at main beaches.
How long to spend at Great Salt Lake on the first visit?
4-6 hours ideal: 1 hr float, 2 hrs explore, picnic sunset. Full day with Antelope Island.
Can you drive around Great Salt Lake?
Yes, scenic loop via I-80 west, UT-30; 100 miles, 3hrs. Stops at marinas and art sites.
What is the water like in Great Salt Lake?
Hyper-saline (250 g/L salt), buoyant, mineral-rich, and sometimes pink from algae. Warm in summer.
Are there tours for the Great Salt Lake?
Sunset sails, kayak rentals via marina or GetYourGuide; $40-80/person.