Great Salt Lake
Great Salt Lake
4
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This 20,000 square mile lake, the second saltiest in the world, is also a wildlife refuge attracting millions of migratory birds every year to the ten islands within it.
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- Suzy S3 contributionsOnce in a lifetime experienceIt's a must see. Go and experience this phenomenal like almost none other. Take a boat ride since the lake is best experienced while floating on it vs. looking at it, although it is beautiful.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 22, 2024
- Tia M167 contributionsBest Sunset! Solo with Fur BabyMe and the Fur Baby hit this for golden hour and sunset. It’s about 1000 steps to the water from the parking row infront of Saltaire. It’s a bit rough for the puppies feet so keep that in mind If going I highly recommend a blanket or beach blanket and towels. Lots of photographers enjoying the sunset. You can get in the water There are several bird carcasses so be careful where you walk This is one of the most amazing places to watch the sunset. Lots of variety from kids to families couples and solo travelers. I laid out a blanket and watch the sunset with the fur baby. It was an amazing and healing experience. If it’s not windy you won’t experience the “weird” brine shrimp smell. Definitely a wonderful place for professional photogs.No permit required Great for if your dog loves the water but not sure about the salt content. I was not able to photograph myself with out the pro camera but did manage some great I phone images that could be edited to be uniqueVisited July 2024Traveled soloWritten July 16, 2024
- TripBizioRome, Italy250 contributionsTo see but not exceptionalMaybe because I went to the area closest to the city, I could not appreciate this place. the lake is suggestive and definitely special to visit, but the bad smell of dead birds, hordes of flies and flying insects, will not make your visit pleasant during the warmer period. Definitely worth visiting, but besides the view, at least in the closest point to the metropolis, there is very little to see.Visited August 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten October 14, 2024
- craig1086Atlanta, Georgia1,997 contributionsNot Much To Do, But Nice To SeeStopped here while driving west from the airport. The scenery is beautiful, and it is eerily quiet. Entry is $10. The staff was there, but didn't say much unless you asked a question. Visitor center also has a bathroom & brochures. You can definitely smell the salt in the air as soon as you get out of your vehicle. We visited in early November, so it was freezing cold. Also because of this, the water had receeded a lot, which meant there weren't as many flies buzzing around or bugs in the water. You can swim in the lake, but I wouldn't. Wasn't really much to do, but I was told you can do a boat tour on the lake.Visited November 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten November 16, 2024
- Diana CMiami, Florida311 contributionsMost amazing natural views of sunsetThe mist magnificent view of the lake and mountains in Utah . Visited at sunset and took outstanding photos of a thin frozen lake and wildlife of the area . It is a must if you visit Salt Lake City and not far at all from the city or airport . Keep it in your bucket list !Visited December 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten January 13, 2025
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
994 reviews
Excellent
356
Very good
310
Average
209
Poor
76
Terrible
43
TheLeongOhana
United States7,728 contributions
Dec 2019 • Solo
If you visit SLC you must drive the short distance past the airport to the visitor center and see the largest salt water lake in the Western Hemisphere.
There was no park ranger at the entrance so the parking fee was voluntarily left in an paper envelope in a lock box. There was a lot of available parking that day.
I parked in front of the visitor center which was across from the small harbor. Inside the center was a number of informative exhibits and videos about the lake and its history. Bathrooms were also located here.
Outside there was a separate observation area with more information and I was able to clearly see across the lake. The strong salty smell hits you but was not too bad. Only a couple of boats were out on the lake and I would like to get out on the water some day and see if it’s any different. The nearby beach was a. It muddy and devoid of people that day.
The hills on the other side of the freeway made a nice backdrop covered in snow but it was offset by the chimney stack from the Bingham Canyon mine. More information on the mine operation was located outside of the visitor center.
There was no park ranger at the entrance so the parking fee was voluntarily left in an paper envelope in a lock box. There was a lot of available parking that day.
I parked in front of the visitor center which was across from the small harbor. Inside the center was a number of informative exhibits and videos about the lake and its history. Bathrooms were also located here.
Outside there was a separate observation area with more information and I was able to clearly see across the lake. The strong salty smell hits you but was not too bad. Only a couple of boats were out on the lake and I would like to get out on the water some day and see if it’s any different. The nearby beach was a. It muddy and devoid of people that day.
The hills on the other side of the freeway made a nice backdrop covered in snow but it was offset by the chimney stack from the Bingham Canyon mine. More information on the mine operation was located outside of the visitor center.
Written January 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tiffany T
Lafayette, IN273 contributions
Sep 2020 • Family
We visits SLC in september - the days were very warm but the nights were very cold. The walk from the park was very long and full of very sharp rocks (be sure to wear shoes), so our feet took a beating. The water smelled terribly of a sulfur type smell - but the floating that you can do here is pretty incredible and worth the walk/stink afterwards. There are showers for you to rinse off but you need a real shower to be rid of the smell.
Written November 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nostalgiyeah
Bothell, WA2,068 contributions
Sep 2020
This is a few minutes drive from downtown Salt Lake City. While this is a geo-environmental wonder, being the largest salt water lake in the Western hemisphere, the visit was a little bit of a letdown. The lake is indeed large, it stretches all the way to the horizon. There is an observation deck which had a few informative plaques and is a good place to capture some photos. There was a peculiar odor that was emanating from the lake - it wasn't repulsive, but it was distinctive enough. The water is very saline and there were indeed a handful of people floating on the water which was a sight! The omnipresence of fleas was annoying - they certainly seem to thrive in this environment!
There is a visitor center which houses a lot of informative content about the Great Salt Lake and the influence of the lake on the area's climate. The visitor center is small, but it has restrooms and a small gift shop. Natural wonder this lake certainly is, but considering the blandness of the place, I'd only give it three stars.
There is a visitor center which houses a lot of informative content about the Great Salt Lake and the influence of the lake on the area's climate. The visitor center is small, but it has restrooms and a small gift shop. Natural wonder this lake certainly is, but considering the blandness of the place, I'd only give it three stars.
Written October 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Miah A
1 contribution
Aug 2020 • Family
All these nutty people are neglecting to mention that the lake is pink, like cotton candy, is you go on late summer or fall, to the spiral jetty side of the lake. The pink lake, the salty moonscape combine to make it better like a trip to another planet. It is one of the top amazing sights I have ever seen, second maybe to the butterfly migration in Mexico. It's worth waiting for the right season, and driving to the jetty.
Written July 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MammaJess02
Carmi, IL18 contributions
Jun 2020 • Family
Having very limited knowledge of The Great Salt Lake, my family and I were left a bit...disappointed. It was a cool, overcast June day when we visited but I don’t know if the weather would have helped much. The salinity of the water makes it pretty much uninhabitable for much life...except for gnats...which were EVERYWHERE on the ground. They didn’t bite us but it was crazy to see the massive swarms move with every step. There’s a nice overlook to snap a few pictures but we were never able to make it in the water (even just our toes!) because the sand was like a bog or marsh and we chose not to remove our shoes that were sinking like they were in quicksand. I’m glad to say I’ve seen it, but I don’t feel like I ever have to go back again.
Written June 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe J
Rochester, MN25 contributions
Nov 2020
We visited by way of Antelope Island State Park. The roads are very good and there are free ranging buffalo in the park that aren't afraid of cars. The visitor center has interesting geographical and historical information, and if you've never been to a Great Lake or inland sea, it's hard to picture the scope of the lake without seeing it. We spent an hour or so on the park premises admiring the views.
Written November 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RandyRoss
Ridgetown, Canada12,815 contributions
Aug 2022
We stopped at Great Salt Lake State Park 45 year ago (in 1977) when it was a very busy place with lots of boats in the marina, tons of people swimming and a totally different atmosphere. How times have changed! The lake level is so low that the marina was empty and there were only a few people there - none swimming.
The lake itself is still a natural wonder, much saltier than the ocean (4 to 8 times, according to the sign).
The lake itself is still a natural wonder, much saltier than the ocean (4 to 8 times, according to the sign).
Written August 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mariaz2200
Crofton, MD37 contributions
Jul 2022
The Great Salt Lake just isn’t a nice place to visit from the state park marina, in any way, especially in late July. I would give it fewer stars than 3, but the ranger at the entrance was very nice and in a way, it just is what it is.
First, it’s an inferno (of course; it’s Utah in July). There’s a small visitors center, restrooms, showers and camping. There’s also an absolutely horrendous smell from the release of gas from decaying matter in the lake, and blankets of brine flies covering large portions of the black ash “sand” along the shore, which swarm around those who venture near. Although they don’t bite, this is nasty. People were swimming and I have to assume once you get past the shore, the water is pleasant (but won’t it still smell? And wouldn’t the smell stay on swimmers’ hair and skin?). The visitors center has some small aging displays, a couple of which are interesting. I can’t fathom how anyone can camp in this hell. I’m glad we went and had a look because now it’s done and I never have to go back.
First, it’s an inferno (of course; it’s Utah in July). There’s a small visitors center, restrooms, showers and camping. There’s also an absolutely horrendous smell from the release of gas from decaying matter in the lake, and blankets of brine flies covering large portions of the black ash “sand” along the shore, which swarm around those who venture near. Although they don’t bite, this is nasty. People were swimming and I have to assume once you get past the shore, the water is pleasant (but won’t it still smell? And wouldn’t the smell stay on swimmers’ hair and skin?). The visitors center has some small aging displays, a couple of which are interesting. I can’t fathom how anyone can camp in this hell. I’m glad we went and had a look because now it’s done and I never have to go back.
Written July 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Doxibug
Westchester, NY152 contributions
Jul 2022
Drove to the Great Salt Lake National Park entrance and found it felt very deserted at 9 am. A few campers were parked near the visitor's center which was closed (apparently they open at 11 am, despite the website stating 9 am). There is limited space to walk around or explore -- the trails are very small and the lake itself appears very low and receded at this time. It was worth seeing, of course, and the informational signs about the nearby copper mine are really interesting. However it seemed deserted and quite frankly a little depressing. I'm glad we did not plan to spend much time there as there is almost nothing to do.
Written July 7, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brian M
Hartford, CT620 contributions
Dec 2020
It's different out here, that's for sure.
The Great Salt Lake stretches as far as the eye can see. And if you can't see, you can smell it. It's not that it's malodorous, exactly; it's just distinctive.
Why I've been so fascinated with the Great Salt Lake is beyond me. The visit did not disappoint: I wasn't expecting a cozy beach day--especially not in the winter.
The idea, though, of being surrounded by nature, soaking in its vastness, made quite the impression.
We experienced the Great Salt Lake via Antelope Island. Ample parking at a variety of sights, along with restrooms, made for a pleasant ride. The causeway from the entrance of the park to the island itself gives ample opportunity for you to appreciate the true expanse of the lake.
The Great Salt Lake stretches as far as the eye can see. And if you can't see, you can smell it. It's not that it's malodorous, exactly; it's just distinctive.
Why I've been so fascinated with the Great Salt Lake is beyond me. The visit did not disappoint: I wasn't expecting a cozy beach day--especially not in the winter.
The idea, though, of being surrounded by nature, soaking in its vastness, made quite the impression.
We experienced the Great Salt Lake via Antelope Island. Ample parking at a variety of sights, along with restrooms, made for a pleasant ride. The causeway from the entrance of the park to the island itself gives ample opportunity for you to appreciate the true expanse of the lake.
Written September 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How to get to the road that is going through the lake and devides it into blue and pink parts (that one with railroad)? Every road we've tried is saying private property and it scared us off 😅 still I know it's possible, there's plenty of pictures and drone videos. Any tips from frequent visitors?
Written July 1, 2023
I am planning to go to SLC and hope to be at this lake. Not into swimming or water activities but interested in being around the water for a couple of hours before returning to SLC. Any recommendations? Any parking or entry fees? Any does or don’ts? Thank you so much in advance!
Written March 23, 2023
Are there any wheelchair accessible walks along the lake?
Written September 28, 2022
Not that I saw. We went to the Marina. The sand near the lake would be, but to get there you have to go through some pretty soft sand. There's a Visitors Center there, I would call them. (801) 250-1898 or (801) 828-0787. You can also access the lake at Antelope Island State Park. We did not go there because we only had a short time to visit. Try calling them. (801) 773-2941.
Written September 29, 2022
You can, but the bugs were so bad when we were there that it would have been very uncomfortable.
Written July 12, 2018
What are some good access points with prime views of the Great Salt Lake, if coming from the airport (in August)? I'd like to see it before we head into Salt Lake City. Any advice appreciated.
Written July 24, 2017
One nice view is to head west on Interstate #80 towards Nevada. That's where you will find the Great Salt Lake State Park. If you continue driving west on 80, you will see the lake on your right the entire way; there are also some salt companies harvesting salt (like Morton's). If you continue for an hour or so, you will come to the Bonneville Salt Flats where they race cars (bikes, airplanes, etc.) It is worth the drive.
Written July 25, 2017
I'm going to be staying in Ogden, is there a place to see the lake that's close to that city?
Written March 31, 2017
yes, very close. go to antelope Island. our go around to the south side of the lake, it's not that much further and check out salt air. the building isn't what it used to be, bit it's very pretty to photograph on the outside.
Written April 1, 2017
Bonjour
Merci à Wardou et à ceux qui veulent bien s'exprimer et me conseiller sur ce que vous avez visité sur " l'héritage Mormon".
Toutes les idées sont bienvenues
Bien cordialement,
AW
Written April 13, 2016
Cherchez-vous des thèmes et lieux de visite sur Salt Lake City en priorité...?
Written April 14, 2016
What's the best area to see wildlife?
Written February 13, 2016
I would go to Antelope island, 20 min drive and ask the park office for the best seasonal spot
Written February 14, 2016
A better place to swim is utah lake just down the road near Provo. The Salt Lake is legal to swim in but unlike the dead sea in Israel tyhe are no good facilities nearby and the banks tend to be a muddy salt marsh and not pleasant
Written April 3, 2017
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