Salt Lake City is named after the Great Salt Lake located nearby. The Great Salt Lake in Utah is the largest salt lake in the western hemisphere and you should probably add swimming in the lake to your Utah itinerary on your next vacation.
The Great Salt Lake is a remnant of the ancient Lake Bonneville which covered 20,000 square miles of land (Utah.com)! Swimming in the Great Salt Lake will take a little bit of planning but here is everything you need to know to make your outing as smooth as possible.
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Can People Swim in The Great Salt Lake?
Yes! It is completely allowed and harmless to do so. Because the salinity of the lake is 12% it is actually a very unique and fun experience to swim in the Great Salt Lake.
My mom grew up in Utah and made sure that all of her kids (me!) experienced swimming in the Great Salt Lake. I remember visiting as a young pre-teen and thinking it was so cool!
The lake’s water levels have been considered “low” for the last 15-20 years so once you have found a place to park, be prepared to walk for roughly ¼ – ½ a mile before you actually reach the water’s edge. Once you reach the water though you will find it to be shallow and warm. Perfect for kids to play in and enjoy.
The water will be shallow for a decent way out, so to swim and be fully immersed or to try floating on the extra buoyant water you will have to trek out a little further. It will be worth the effort though!
Before getting in the water be aware of any cuts or scrapes on yours or your kids skin. The salt in the water will cause them to burn slightly and it is better to realize that beforehand rather than be caught unaware. Telling your kids beforehand as well can help them gear up for it and feel brave and strong when they get in the water anyways. The burning will stop soon after the wound has been fully immersed and coated in salt.
Do People Swim in the Lake?
Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you necessarily should, however in this case the answer is still yes!
People swim in the Great Salt Lake for the novelty of it. As a tourist you definitely should too.
However if you’ve already swam in the great Salt Lake and you’re looking for a fun lake day then there are nearby lakes where the water is not salty where you can have a more traditional lake experience at.
It is a further drive but my favorite Utah lake to visit is Bear Lake!!
Can You Float in the Great Salt Lake?
Because the salinity of the lake is 12%, far greater than the ocean, you can easily float on the surface of the water. The Great Salt Lake is not as salty as the dead sea but it will still hold you up far easier than the ocean. You can take some fun photos like casually reading while floating!
Best Beaches and Places to Swim on the Great Salt Lake
You can stop and swim most places along the shore of the Great Salt Lake however there are a few locations I particularly recommend.
- Antelope Island State Park
This is the location we swam at when we visited and it is definitely the best place to swim in the Great Salt Lake in my opinion.
The state park does have an entrance fee of $10 per car. However unlike the other locations it has amenities that will help make your visit more enjoyable.
There is a beach area where kids can play with sand toys and run around. The park has nice picnic areas to eat and sit at while you enjoy being outdoors. The best part is there are shower stations so that you can rinse the salt off without having to haul your own water and shower with you.
There is a free outdoor shower area where you can rinse off in your swimsuit before changing in your car or there are coin operated private showering stalls.
- Spiral Jetty
Another fun place to swim is at the Spiral Jetty. The Spiral Jetty is a large outdoor art installation on the banks of the Great Salt Lake. You could knock out two birds with one stone by visiting both at the same time.
The only major downside is that there are no showers so you will want to bring your own water and a portable outdoor shower.
- Great Salt Lake State Park Marina
The Great Salt Lake State Park is another great place to visit and swim in the lake. They also have a marina where you could launch a boat from if you wanted to go boating on the lake.
- The Great Saltair
The Great Saltair is an old concert venue on the shore of the Great Salt Lake. You can park in the Saltair parking lot and easily walk to the water’s edge. This is also a very popular photo location!
More Great Utah Adventures:
- Adventurous Day Trips from Salt Lake City
- Guide to Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
- One Day in St. George, Utah
Are there Fish in The Great Salt Lake?
Because of the salt content of the lake there are no fish in the lake. In fact the only living things that can survive living in the Great Salt Lake are the brine shrimp. The brine shrimp are tiny and harmless so although you will see them in the water you can confidently ignore them.
There are also brine flies that hang out on the water’s edge and can be annoying. However once you get past the shoreline and go further into the water the flies will not follow. The flies are at their worst on hot days with no breeze.
Negatives of The Great Salt Lake
The flies are one of the biggest negatives of the lake but they are not so bad that they should keep you away. Bring some bug spray to help deter them and just enjoy your time swimming in the Great Salt Lake. Try not to spend too much time where the water meets the beach since that is where the majority of the flies will be.
The second negative of the Great Salt Lake is the smell. There is a unique smell at the salt lake because the water is fairly stagnant. Water from local rivers flows into the Great Salt Lake but there is no outlet. You will quickly get used to the smell though and there is no reason to let that stop you from visiting.
Travel Tips for Your Next Vacation:
- Customizable 2 Week Packing List
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Tips for Swimming in the Great Salt Lake
- Because of the salt deposits on the Great Salt Lake beaches and shoreline nothing can grow. This means there is absolutely no shade. Make sure you bring sun protection like sunscreen and hats.
- Bring a change of clothes! The salt will harden as it dries making any material that got wet very stiff and uncomfortable. Make sure you don’t suffer during your drive home and bring a change of clothes for everyone.
- The salt water will also make your skin feel tight and itchy. Bring water to rinse off with and lotion to rehydrate your skin.
- Since you have to walk so far to the water’s edge only bring the belongings you need with you. Leave the rest of your belongings in the car. You most likely won’t want to haul coolers and tons of stuff with you. It can also be handy to leave your towels in the car so that they don’t get salt water on them.
- Lastly, bring bug spray to ward off those pesky flies if they start bothering you too much.
Where is The Great Salt Lake?
The Great Salt Lake is located just Northwest of Salt Lake City, Utah. The drive from Salt Lake City to the lake is about thirty minutes to two hours depending on where you decide to visit.
Facts About the Great Salt Lake
Great Salt Lake Depth?
The Great Salt Lake has a maximum depth of only 33 feet (UGS). With an average depth of only 14 feet (LiveScience).
Great Salt Lake Temperature?
The water temperature of the Great Salt Lake varies by month but in the summer months it is usually between 70 and 80 degrees fahrenheit.
Great Salt Lake Size?
The Great Salt Lake is roughly 75 miles long and 35 miles wide. It covers an area of 1,034,000 acres (UGS).
Great Salt Lake Elevation?
The Great Salt Lake has a surface elevation of 4,200 feet (UGS).
Are there Sharks in the Great Salt Lake?
No! The salt content is so high that no sharks could survive in the water of the Great Salt Lake. This means you are completely safe to swim in the lake.
Camping, Boating and Kayaking
As well as swimming in the Great Salt Lake you can also boat, kayak and camp on its shores. When boating the best place to put in is the Great Salt Lake State Park Marina just be aware that the salt is hard on boats and you will want to carefully clean the boat and its engine afterwards.
Camping is fun and easy as there are both RV and tent camping sites available with electricity and water. You can book a campsite here.
Of course if you prefer hotels then Salt Lake City is only a short drive away!
Great Salt Lake Tours
If you would prefer a guide or organized activity to see the lake then you can book a tour instead of going alone. This guided tour from Salt Lake City is affordable and has good ratings!
Practical Information For Visiting Salt Lake City, UT
Find accommodation, sign up for a local tour, or buy your Utah Travel Guide.
Swimming in the Great Salt Lake
Swimming in the Great Salt Lake is a unique, bucket list worthy activity! If you’re in Utah I highly recommend doing it at least once. If you have any other questions I can help answer about a visit to the Great Salt Lake let me know.
