Great Salt Lake

The Great Salt Lake is a salt lake in northern Utah that spreads across several counties and ranks among the largest salt lakes in the Western Hemisphere. The water holds a very high salt concentration that varies with season and water level, and the shoreline shifts constantly with climate conditions.

Trappers and explorers reached the area in the early 1800s when the region remained largely unknown. The arrival of the Mormons in 1847 led to the first permanent settlement nearby, which later grew into Salt Lake City.

Local families visit the shore to float in the dense saltwater, which holds the body at the surface without effort. Artists and photographers come here to capture the shifting colors of the water and the reflections of distant mountains.

Visitors can drive to the shore and swim, but the water leaves a thick layer of salt on the skin that requires rinsing. Water levels change dramatically, so beaches and access points may look different from year to year.

Certain bacteria in the water produce red and orange pigments that turn whole sections of the lake into bright colors. These color patterns are especially visible from the air and shift with the season and salt content.

Location: Box Elder County

Location: Tooele County

Location: Weber County

Location: Salt Lake County

Location: Davis County

Elevation above the sea: 1,283 m

Address: Great Salt Lake, Utah, USA

GPS coordinates: 41.16667,-112.58333

Latest update: December 15, 2025 01:57