The Great Salt Lake in Utah is known for its natural diversity, which features a range of arid deserts with dunes and thriving pine forests in its mountain valleys.
The area has three distinct geological regions: the Great Basin, the Colorado Plateau, and the Rocky Mountains.
The Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere and one of the largest lakes in the world.
Located near Salt Lake City, a city steeped in rich religious history and distinct culture, the Great Salt Lake dominates the Utah region’s social, political, economic, and cultural life.
Therefore, your visit to this region is an adventure unlike any other in the United States. There is so much to see and discover in and near the Great Salt Lake, so stick around to learn more about the best fun things to do in the Great Salt Lake, UT.
The Best Things To Do At The Great Salt Lake, UT (Utah):
The largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere, visiting the Great Salt Lake in Utah offers a unique experience due to its salty waters and surrounding natural landscapes. Here are some fun things you can do in Great Salt Lake:
1. Antelope Island State Park:
This largest island in the Great Salt Lake offers hiking trails, mountain biking trails, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Therefore, you can enjoy birdwatching, landscape photography, and wildlife photography.
The park is rich in flora and fauna, which makes it a good place to witness wildlife and enjoy natural landscapes. Bison, pronghorn antelope, and various birds can be spotted here.
The park is a great place to get closer to nature and reconnect with your loved one. Antelope Island State Park offers picnic, camping, and glamping spots.
However, if you prefer hiking, I recommend trekking to the summit of Frary Peak. The park’s highest peak point offers a panoramic view of Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake, and Wasatch Mountains.
2. Swimming Or Floating:
Situated right on The Wind Ocean Isle Beach Resort, it offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. The location is ideal for those looking to enjoy a peaceful beach vacation away from more crowded tourist spots.
It offers a great escape for couples, families, or any traveler. You can plan a visit for your babymoon, honeymoon, a romantic getaway, or with your kids. Near this beach island resort, there is something for everyone.
On the plus side, due to its high salinity, the Great Salt Lake is considered as a natural healing remedy for digestive disorders, respiratory conditions, and many other chronic illnesses.
The 15th-deep salt lake is home to brine shrimp and brine flies, so expect to see them while swimming in it. It is also home to sharks, Loch Ness, and jellyfish.
3. Photography:
The lake and surrounding mountains create stunning vistas, especially during sunrise and sunset. The reflections on the water can be lovely.
In addition, its richness in flora and fauna makes it a good spot for landscape and wildlife photography. Many animals call this lake home.
Capturing them with a camera is a fun activity that you can do at the Great Salt Lake. You do not need to be on land to capture terrestrial animals. You can join a cruise ship tour to take photos of its marine life.
The Great Salt Lake is brimming with marine life and an ideal ecosystem, which makes it a fun place to cruise along its shoreline. Take selfies or capture memorable photos that you can take home.
Note: the Great Salt Lake is a protected ecosystem, so you should observe the animals at a distance and watch them in their natural habitat. For this reason, it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site In the United States.
4. Great Salt Lake Marina:
You can rent kayaks, paddleboards, or sailboats from this marina to explore the lake. The journey starts at the dock of Great Salt Lake, where you can take an excursion to explore its sea world from different perspectives.
You can see many yachts and small boats at the lake’s dock. You can ask about renting one. The dock is also filled with other amenities and recreational activities, such as jet ski rentals, if that suits your taste.
Rent a jet ski or boat excursion from Jordanelle Rentals & Marina, which is only 10 minutes from Salt Lake City (SLC) and 15 minutes from Park City, Midway, and Heber City.
A general store also sells boat essentials and watersports equipment, so you can buy everything you need for your trip around Great Salt Lake, UT.
5. Saltair Resort:
This historic resort on the shores of the Great Salt Lake in Utah has been rebuilt and offers concerts, events, and a beach-like atmosphere.
It is 15 miles (24 km) from Salt Lake City, so you can add it to your itineraries if you visit the city. It is worth the visit because it is known as the dance palace, which has a dance floor.
Furthermore, when it was built, it was the world’s largest dance floor. It also has an amusement park and theaters, so you can watch some of your favorite plays or listen to musical comedies.
You can also enjoy concerts by various artists and bands, themed events, and occasional festivals throughout the year. The venue’s unique setting on the lake shore adds to the experience of attending events there.
6. Visit Skull Valley:
Skull Valley is a 40-mile (64-kilometre) valley southwest of the Great Salt Lake in east Tooele County, Utah, in the United States.
The valley veers slightly to the northeast of Stansbury Bay, next to Stansbury Island. It uniquely blends natural beauty, history, and outdoor activities.
To the southeast, the Great Salt Lake Desert is bordered by Skull Valley’s south and southwest at Dugway and at a ridgeline southeast of the Cedar Mountains.
The Skull Valley Indian Reservation is located south of the valley in the southwest foothills of the Stansbury Mountains.
To the southeast, the valley narrows between the Stansbury Mountains and the Cedar Mountains, creating a beautiful ecosystem that I recommend you visit.
In addition, between the mountains is a region of creeks, Stansburys and Valley Springs, Willow Patch Springs, and Scribner Spring to the west.
You can learn about the history of Skull Valley by visiting sites such as the Deseret Chemical Depot (formerly known as the Skull Valley Ordnance Depot) and the nearby historic Pony Express Trail.
7. Visit Visitor Centers:
The Great Salt Lake has several visitor centers where visitors can learn about the lake’s ecology, history, and wildlife. The Salt Lake City Visitor Center and the Great Salt Lake State Marina Visitor Center are good places to start.
At the Salt Lake Visitor Center and the Great Salt Lake State Marina Visitor Center, you can find information about the attractions in and surrounding Salt Lake City. This includes maps, brochures, tour guides, and staff members available to answer your questions.
Both visitor centers provide a gateway to understanding and experiencing the unique ecosystem and recreational opportunities of the Great Salt Lake in Utah.
Both visitor centers have picnics and campgrounds where visitors can rest and contemplate God-given nature.
Discover recreational activities on and around the lake, such as boating, sailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The Visitor Center staff can provide information on rentals, permits, and safety guidelines.
8. Historical Sites:
Explore the history of the lake and the people who have lived around it, including the early Mormon settlements and the significance of the lake to Native American tribes.
You can visit many historical sites near the lake, such as Temple Square, Salt Lake Temple, the Utah State Capitol, and Beehive House.
In addition, the Great Salt Lake and Salt Lake City are historically known for opening a mining industry in the early 1860s. Its Central Railroad connects Salt Lake City with the Union Pacific in Ogden, making it a thriving region of Western Commerce.
Therefore, you can take a train ride around Great Salt Lake and Salt Lake City to discover the area’s heritage and historical sites.
9. Skydiving Above The Great Salt Lake:
You can join the Skydiving Utah Tour for the best Skydiving experience in Utah. You will soar above the Great Salt Lake and its surrounding valleys and mountains.
Furthermore, you will have an enchanting view of Tooele and Skull valleys. You can see them in the bird’s eye. The view from above can take your breath away.
You can also see the Stansbury Mountains and the Cedar Mountains Range as if they look smaller. Therefore, ask the company for some pictures because you might want to capture the moment.
Skydive Utah Tour provides the highest jumps in Utah from 12-person King Air turbine aircraft! You will soar up to 13,500 feet with 8 minutes to spare.
10. Horseback Riding:
You can enjoy horseback riding on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, which offers beautiful natural landscapes that can amaze you in so many levels.
This relaxing experience is only allowed in Millcreek Canyon (Salt Lake County) due to the salinity of the lake. Domestic animals are not allowed in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.
However, horses are allowed in other trails, such as Morgan, Davis, Weber, Tooele, Box Elder, Cache, Rich, Summit Duchesne Counties, and Wasatch in Utah and Uinta County.
Some Tours In Salt Lake:
Conclusion:
Check the weather conditions and be prepared for the intense sun and high salt content if you plan to swim or float in the lake.
The Great Salt Lake has so much to offer first-time and return visitors. This comprehensive guide offers the best and most fun things to do in the Great Salt Lake. I hope you enjoy our guide. Please let us know about your visit.
Please comment below about your experience. We would love to know how it went. What did you do there, and where did you visit?
We also have a blog about the best ski resorts in Park City, UT, that might interest you. If you are visiting the Great Lake City in winter, I recommend visiting Park City for the best ski experience.
The Best Things To Do At The Great Salt Lake, UT (Utah):
The largest salt water lake in the Western Hemisphere, visiting the Great Salt Lake in Utah offers a unique experience due to its salty waters and surrounding natural landscapes. Here are some fun things you can do in Great Salt Lake:
1. Antelope Island State Park:
This is the largest island in the Great Salt Lake and offers hiking trails, mountain biking trails, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Therefore, you can enjoy birdwatching, landscape photography, and wildlife photography.
The park is rich in flora and fauna, which makes it a good place to witness wildlife and enjoy natural landscapes. Bison, pronghorn antelope, and a variety of birds can be spotted here.
If you want to get closer to nature and reconned with your loved one, the park is a great place to be. You can find picnic, camping and glamping spots at Antelope Island state park.
However, if you prefer hiking, then I would recommend trekking to the summit of Frary Peak. It is the highest peak point on the park that offer panoramic view of the Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake, and Wasatch Mountains.
2. Swimming Or Floating:
The high salinity of the lake makes it easy to float effortlessly because it is buoyant. It is much saltier than the ocean, which contains an average of 12% of salt.
Many visitors enjoy this unique experience, although be prepared for the strong salt smell and sticky feeling afterward. However, there are shower stations, so you can rinse off after swimming.
On the plus side, due to its high salinity, the Great Salt Lake is considered as a natural healing remedy for digestive disorders, respiratory conditions, and many other chronic illnesses.
The 15th deep salt lake is the home of brine shrimp and brine flies, so expect to see those while swimming in the lake. It is also the home of sharks, Loch Ness, and jellyfish.
3. Photography:
The lake and surrounding mountains create stunning vistas, especially during sunrise and sunset. The reflections on the water can be particularly beautiful.
In addition, its richness in flora and fauna makes it a good spot for landscape and wildlife photography. There are many animals that call this lake home.
Capture them in a camera is a fun activity that you can do at the Great Salt Lake. You do not need to be in the land to capture terrestrial animals. You can join a cruise ship tour to take photo of its marine life.
The Great Salt Lake is brimming with marine life and ideal ecosystem, which makes it a fun place to cruise along its shoreline. Take some selfie or capture some memorizing photos that you can take home.
Note: the Great Salt Lake is a protected ecosystem, so you should observe the animal at distance and watch them at their natural habitat. For this reason, it has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site In the United States.
4. Great Salt Lake Marina:
You can rent kayaks, paddleboards, or sailboats to explore the lake from this marina. This starts at the dock of Great Salt Lake, where you can take an excursion journey to explore its sea world from different perspective.
At the dock of the lake, you can see many yachts and small boats. You can ask about renting one. It is filled with other amenities and recreational activities, such as jet ski rentals, if that suit your taste.
To rent a jet ski or go in a boat excursion, you can rent from Jordanelle Rentals & Marina that is only 10 minutes away from Salt Lake City (SLC), and 15 minutes away from Park City, Midway, and Heber City.
There is also a general store that has all the boat essentials and watersports equipments, so you can buy everything you need for your trip around the Great Salt Lake UT.
5. Saltair Resort:
This historic resort on the shores of the Great Salt Lake in Utah has been rebuilt and offers concerts, events, and a beach-like atmosphere.
It is located 15 miles (24 km) from Salt Lake City, so you can add it to your itineraries if you are visiting the city. It is worth the visit because it is known as the dance palace, which has a dance floor. Furthermore, it used to be the world’s largest dance floor by the time it was built.
It also contains an amusement park and theaters, so you can watch some of your favorite plays or attend musical comedies.
You can also can enjoy concerts by various artists and bands, themed events, and occasional festivals throughout the year. The venue’s unique setting on the lake shore adds to the experience of attending events there.
6. Visit Skull Valley:
Skull Valley is a 40-mile (64-kilometer) valley southwest of the Great Salt Lake in east Tooele County, Utah, in the United States.
The valley veers slightly to the northeast of Stansbury Bay, which is next to Stansbury Island. It offers a unique blend of natural beauty, history, and outdoor activities
The Great Salt Lake Desert to the southeast is bordered by Skull Valley’s south and southwest at Dugway and at a ridgeline southeast of the Cedar Mountains.
Situated in the southwest foothills of the Stansbury Mountains, the Skull Valley Indian Reservation is situated in the south of the valley.
To the southeast, the valley narrows between the Stansbury Mountains and the Cedar Mountains, which creates a beautiful ecosystem that I would recommend you to visit.
In addition, between the mountain is a region of creeks, which are Stansburys and valley springs while also Willow Patch Springs and Scribner Spring, to the west.
You can learn about the history of Skull Valley by visiting sites such as the Deseret Chemical Depot (formerly known as the Skull Valley Ordnance Depot) and the nearby historic Pony Express Trail.
7. Visit Visitor Centers:
The Great Salt Lake has several visitor centers where you can learn about the lake’s ecology, history, and wildlife. The Salt Lake City Visitor Center and the Great Salt Lake State Marina Visitor Center are good places to start.
At Salt Lake Visitor Center and The Great Salt Lake State Marina Visitor Center, you can find information about the attractions in and surrounding Salt Lake City. That includes maps, brochures, tour guides, and staff members that available to answer your question.
Both visitor centers provide a gateway to understanding and experiencing the unique ecosystem and recreational opportunities offered by the Great Salt Lake in Utah.
There are picnic and campgrounds in both visitors centers, so you can rest and contemplate on god given nature.
Discover recreational activities available on and around the lake, such as boating, sailing, kayaking, and paddleboarding. The Visitor Center staff can provide information on rentals, permits, and safety guidelines
8. Historical Sites:
Explore the history of the lake and the people who have lived around it, including the early Mormon settlements and the significance of the lake to Native American tribes.
There are many historical sites that you can visit near the lake, such as Temple Square, Salt Lake Temple, Utah State Capitol, and Beehive House.
In addition to that, the Great Salt Lake and Salt Lake City are historically known for opening a mining industry in the early 1860s. Its Central Railroad connects Salt Lake City with the Union Pacific in Ogden, which makes it a thriving region of Western Commerce.
Therefore, you can take a train ride around the Great Salt Lake and Salt Lake City to discover its heritage and historical sites within the area.
9. Skydiving Above The Great Salt Lake:
You can join Skydiving Utah Tour for the best Skydiving experience in Utah. You will soar above the Great Salt Lake and its surrounding valleys and mountains.
Furthermore, you will have an enchanting view of Tooele valley and Skull valley. You can totally see them in the bird’s eye. The view from above can take your breath away
You can also Stansbury Mountains and the Cedar Mountains Range as if they look smaller. Therefore, make sure to ask the company for some pictures because you might want to capture the moment.
Skydive Utah Tour provides the highest jumps in Utah from 12-person King Air turbine aircraft!. You will soar up to 13,500 feet with 8 minutes to spare.
Conclusion:
Remember to check the weather conditions and be prepared for the strong sun and high salt content if you plan to swim or float in the lake.
The great salt lake ut has so much to offer for first time and return visitors. In this comprehensive guide, we offer the best and most fun things to do in the Great Salt Lake. I hope you enjoy our guide, and let’s know about your visit.
Please, comment below about your experience. We would love to know about how it went. What did you do there, and where did you visit?
We also have a blog about the best ski resorts in Park City UT that might gain your interest. If you are visiting the Great Lake City in winter, then I would recommend you to visit Park City for the best ski experience.
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