Great Salt Lake State Park
Great Salt Lake State Park
3.5
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- gr8ful4222Campbell, California1,895 contributionsScenic lake viewsWe actually had a good stop here, unlike some of the other reviewers. There are exhibits here, and it was a beautiful day, so there were several people out on the beach and swimming in the water. We were able to get some good pictures of the lake and the beach. I didn’t notice flies or even any kind of smell. Keep in mind that there is a $5 entrance fee.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 21 September 2023
- Linda YoungBrevard, North Carolina7 contributionsAmazing.Waded in the water a bit. Rinsed feet in provided faucet but still had crust on legs after it dried. I was here when I was a kid, way back when you wore bathing caps. I rinsed off well but didn't get the back of my head rinsed well enough. Salt flakes were falling off the back of my head. Weird.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 October 2023
- Holiday Road Shoes16 contributionsBeautiful vistas and fun floating in the extremely salty water!Definitely worth a stop for a quick dip. The vistas are incredible and it was fun to float in the extremely salty water! The sea/ocean generally contains approx 3.5% salt, Salt Lake contains between 11% -25% salt depending on which part, so you just float! It’s fun!Visited July 2024Travelled with familyWritten 30 July 2024
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3.5
312 reviews
Excellent
92
Very good
90
Average
83
Poor
21
Terrible
26
Kind Traveler
United States302 contributions
Apr 2021
What a treasure! We walked near the water's edge and appreciated the sights, sounds, and yes, even the funky smell, as it was new to us. The park was easy to drive into, the fee minimal ($5.00) and the scenery stunning. A short 15 minute drive from Salt Lake City, if you are visiting and haven't seen a huge salt lake before, I recommend the drive. The shades of gold foliage, blue green water, gray/white salt shores and snowcapped mountains... true perfection!
Written 8 April 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.
torpdo
Des Moines, IA530 contributions
Sept 2020
Nice little park on the Great Salt Lake. The store was closed due to COVID but there are plaques posted to talk about the lake and the copper refinery (which is across the highway). Sand/salt was soft in some areas but it was still easy to get to the water. Beautiful scenery to the north. Admission was $5.00.
Written 26 September 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.
Ryan C.
Greenwood, IN169 contributions
Aug 2021
This experience was not the most fun, but is definitely 5-stars because of the natural resource that is the Great Salt Lake. When we visited, the Great Salt Lake was at a record low point, with scientists concerned that the lake itself may be disappearing due to climate change. I felt this was an important site for my children to visit. I am not a climate alarmist or anything, but I do believe that the quality of our natural resources changes over time (i.e. the "Old Man of the Mountain" in New Hampshire what collapsed in mid-2003. As much as we try to preserve these resources, they will not always look the same, and we felt it was critical to take our homeschooled children on an educational tour of the West.
Written 8 June 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.
Cnieves3
Edmond, OK205 contributions
June 2021 • Family
Great little place to stop and walk and dip a toe in while traveling. Only about an hour stop. Cost is $5 and do not be concerned with the gravel road, they are doing updates. The visitor’s center had bathrooms and a nice little gift shop. The overlook was nice and the walk out to the beach was quick. Beware of all the gnats around the water’s edge. Literally thousands of them. Spray your feet and legs with bug spray. Coming back, there is a place to rinse off your feet in the parking lot.
Written 22 June 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.
Richard T
3 contributions
Aug 2022
Our last day of a 12 day trip. Didn’t have a plan and decided to run out to the lake instead of sitting at the airport. Easy in/out and we ended up with a boat ride and went swimming out in the lake - rather - “floating in the lake”. Great way to end the trip to Utah!
Written 8 August 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.
Jtthjones
Pooler, GA384 contributions
Nov 2021 • Friends
There is a $5 parking fee at the park/marina, you. An park by the concert venue for free. The visitor center is small and not very impressive. The lake is drying up quite a bit, it smells nasty. Its a short walk from parking to look out area or beach area. Was underwhelmed.
Written 6 November 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.
KCMLive
Washington DC, DC399 contributions
July 2023 • Business
I visited the Great Salt Lake while on business. Let me begin by saying I am biased.
I am from the Washington, DC area, which has the most beautiful, well maintained monuments and tourist attractions I have ever seen. BUT, SLC is named after this location, so it should be SO MUCH BETTER. This site consists of a run-down visitors center in a trailer-like structure and a concrete ramp that overlooks the Salt Lake. As others have mentioned, the number of brine flies is alarming! There is also a bad smell that will remain with you long after you leave the lake. The view is beautiful, but the sad surroundings, smell, and flies are so distracting it is almost impossible to enjoy it.
I know there is little they can do about the flies and the smell. I just WISH they invested more money in making the location more welcoming and worthy of the gorgeous location. Go see the Great Salt Lake. But please lower your expectations, hold your nose, wear a fly net, and enjoy the view.
I am from the Washington, DC area, which has the most beautiful, well maintained monuments and tourist attractions I have ever seen. BUT, SLC is named after this location, so it should be SO MUCH BETTER. This site consists of a run-down visitors center in a trailer-like structure and a concrete ramp that overlooks the Salt Lake. As others have mentioned, the number of brine flies is alarming! There is also a bad smell that will remain with you long after you leave the lake. The view is beautiful, but the sad surroundings, smell, and flies are so distracting it is almost impossible to enjoy it.
I know there is little they can do about the flies and the smell. I just WISH they invested more money in making the location more welcoming and worthy of the gorgeous location. Go see the Great Salt Lake. But please lower your expectations, hold your nose, wear a fly net, and enjoy the view.
Written 11 September 2023
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.
gr8ful4222
Campbell, CA1,895 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
We actually had a good stop here, unlike some of the other reviewers. There are exhibits here, and it was a beautiful day, so there were several people out on the beach and swimming in the water. We were able to get some good pictures of the lake and the beach. I didn’t notice flies or even any kind of smell. Keep in mind that there is a $5 entrance fee.
Written 21 September 2023
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.
MAP12
New Orleans, LA632 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
This was one of the disappointing places we stopped. We did have a nice picnic here, but could have done this somewhere else for free. We wanted to see the Great Salt Lake, so thought that the Great Salt Lake State Park would be a good place to see it. Not really. I guess if we were going out in a boat it might be worth it, but we weren't. The visitor center was very small and had the rotten-egg-smell due to the hydrogen sulfate. I expected that, but didn't expect the smell of decaying biomass (algae and brine fly pupae casings that wash ashore) smell. It was pretty overwhelming. Compared to the other State Parks we visited, this one need some work!
Written 12 October 2023
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.
Holiday Road Shoes
16 contributions
July 2024 • Family
Definitely worth a stop for a quick dip. The vistas are incredible and it was fun to float in the extremely salty water! The sea/ocean generally contains approx 3.5% salt, Salt Lake contains between 11% -25% salt depending on which part, so you just float! It’s fun!
Written 30 July 2024
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.
My fiancée and I are camping at Great Salt Lake State Park for two nights, starting tomorrow. We are wondering if campfires are allowed? We want to cook our food for meals over a fire, but we don't see anything online about campfires.
Written 15 July 2021
Hi, my wife and I are visiting SLC in July and looking for unique things to do to experience the SLC area while we are there. This place was recommended, but I have a few questions. I apologize in advance if these are dumb, but hoping to get some answers from the people who have already visited:
1. Are there bison roaming all times of the year? Or just certain months?
2. Can we see the bison from our vehicle, or do we need to hike somewhere?
3. Can you actually get close to Salt Lake from this park? Or is it in the distance?
4. Is there a cost?
5. Any suggestions or tips?
I love the idea of seeing bison in the free, but just trying to gather information before we plan the trip.
Thanks in advance!
Written 19 April 2020
Hi I have ALWAYS seen bison. Just ask when you pay the $10 at the gate and they will tell you where they are but they are typically close to the homestead which can be seen from the car, no hiking required. It is right at the Great Salt Lake yes you can get out and walk into the salty waters. Hope it helps! It’s prob 30 min from the airport.
Written 20 April 2020
How do we get from Salt Lake City to Antelope Island without a car? We are 11 people from Belgium. Is there a tour from SLC to Antelope?
Written 24 August 2019
Hi! I've actually never been to Antelope Island. I doubt there are actually any official tour buses that go out there. But since there's enough of you, maybe you could rent two large SUVs for a day and drive out there.
Written 24 August 2019
Hi, we have a LOT we want to see for our trip the end of September. Its just going to be my husband and I to fit in as much as possible of the State Parks in Utah & end our trip at Vegas for a few nights. We are landing in SLC, so I wondered how much chance would it be to see wildlife at this Park? I've read that some folks may not bother seeing the Great Salt Lake or "trying" to see the wildlife, if limited with time and may never see Utah again. Someone please advise; need honest opinion to take the time or "not a biggie". Thanks.
Written 31 May 2016
I'm not really sure what wildlife there is to see here. The park itself is pretty small, and other than some birds, I didn't see much of anything other than the lake while there.
Written 31 May 2016
huiling s
Guangzhou, China
How do I get the salt lake park by using public transportation?
Written 3 February 2015
Just to help another visitor in the future, we don't have public transportation usually to state parks or out of the way areas, only usually lines within a city to places. There would not be public transportation out to Great Salt Lake Park. There are Guided Tours to the GSLP though. Antelope Island State Park also has tour buses that you can reserve if you do a search on "Antelope Island State Park tour bus". Hope this helps someone.
Written 5 July 2020
huiling s
Guangzhou, China
How do I get Antelope Island using public transportation?
Written 3 February 2015
Hi, huiling s. I went to Antelope Island last July. I doubt that you can get to Antelope Island by public transportation. It is about one hour and forty minutes' drive north of Salt Lake City. You have to get out to Antelope Island by driving on a causeway. Once you are on the island there is a long road leading to intermittent beaches. It is car-friendly, but not pedestrian-friendly. I did not see any bus stops or bus shelters on the island or in the vicinity.
That said, I also went to the Great Salt Lake State Marina, which is located about 20 minutes' drive west of the Salt Lake City airport and has Silver Sands Beach. I did not mention it when I wrote my review, but there were many Chinese tourists both times I went. They seem to have come on tour buses. Obviously, there is some private way to get to these beaches without driving yourself. Unfortunately, I do not know what private bus companies go to the Salt Lake beaches. Good luck.
Written 6 February 2015
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