The Great Salt Lake
Natural Wonders · United States · North America
The Great Salt Lake is one of the 100 world miracles — a natural wonders highlight in United States, North America. Below: what makes it special, what to expect on site and everything you need to plan a visit.
About The Great Salt Lake
The Great Salt Lake in northern Utah is one of the strangest and most otherworldly landscapes in North America — a vast, shallow, hypersaline lake that has been shrinking for decades and now presents **a surface of pink, red, and white in colours produced not by pigment but by living organisms**. At its historical maximum extent, the lake covered approximately **6,000 square kilometres; today it covers roughly a third of that area**, following decades of water diversion from its tributary rivers for agricultural and urban use, compounded by the effects of a warming climate. The receding shoreline has left broad white salt flats that shimmer in the desert heat and, in some lights, **are indistinguishable from snow**. The lake's extraordinary salinity — **between five and ten times that of seawater** — is the result of having no outlet. Water flows in from the Bear, Weber, and Jordan rivers but can only leave by evaporation, leaving dissolved salts behind in ever-increasing concentration. **Nothing lives in it except brine shrimp** and halophilic algae and bacteria that produce the lake's famous pink and red hues on the southern arm, where salinity is highest following the construction of a **railway causeway in 1959** that restricted water exchange. Despite its apparent lifelessness, the lake is an ecological cornerstone: its brine shrimp and brine flies support **millions of migratory birds — over 250 species** — that use it as a critical staging post on the Pacific Flyway. The Great Salt Lake is **accessible from Salt Lake City, about 15 kilometres to the east**. Great Salt Lake State Park on the south shore offers a marina, a beach, and easy access for swimming — **the high salt content makes floating effortless**. **Antelope Island State Park**, connected to the south shore by a causeway, is a superb wildlife reserve with bison, pronghorn, and exceptional birdwatching, and offers the finest views across the lake. The best time to visit is **April to October**; summer evenings on Antelope Island, **with the lake glowing pink in the sunset light**, are among the quieter spectacles of the American West.
Highlights
- ✦ Largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere
- ✦ Up to 8 times saltier than the ocean
- ✦ Remnant of prehistoric Lake Bonneville
Practical info
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to the Great Salt Lake without a car?
There is no rail or regular bus service to the lakeshore, so a rental car is the realistic way to visit. Some Salt Lake City tour operators run half-day minivan trips to Antelope Island that include the causeway toll, which works if you'd rather not drive.
Does the Great Salt Lake really smell bad?
Yes, at times — decaying brine shrimp and algae near the shoreline produce a sulphur-like odour, especially in late summer when water levels drop. It's stronger on the mudflats than on the open water, and a light breeze usually clears it quickly. Most visitors find it a minor, forgettable downside rather than a dealbreaker.
What is the best time of year to visit the Great Salt Lake?
Spring (April–May) and early autumn (September–October) bring mild temperatures and fewer biting gnats than midsummer. Summer is when the lake's famous buoyancy for swimming is most enjoyable, but also when brine flies are most numerous near the shore. Winter is quiet and scenic but cold and windy.
Can you swim in the Great Salt Lake?
Yes, and the extreme salinity makes floating effortless, similar to the Dead Sea. Bring water shoes, since the lakebed can be muddy and rocky, and rinse off afterwards — the salt dries quickly and irritates skin. Water levels and access points shift with drought, so check current conditions before heading out.
Why is the Great Salt Lake shrinking and is it still worth visiting?
Decades of upstream water diversion for agriculture and cities, combined with prolonged drought, have shrunk the lake to a fraction of its historic size. It's still worth visiting for Antelope Island's bison herds, migratory birds and stark salt-flat scenery, but expect a smaller, saltier lake than older photos suggest.
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