This Massive Utah Salt Lake Has No Outlet and Only Loses Water Through Evaporation

Great Salt Lake, Utah

There’s nothing quite like the Great Salt Lake anywhere else in Utah. You can’t sink in it, nothing but brine shrimp can live in it, and it smells like rotten eggs. Here are more interesting facts about this amazing phenomenon.

Water temperatures change within walking distance

Shallow spots heat up to 85°F in summer while deeper areas just 50 feet away stay around 70°F. This is most noticeable near Antelope Island, especially in July when the lake reaches its hottest point.

You can enjoy natural hot and cold therapy by moving between these areas with temperature differences of up to 15 degrees, which many people do to boost their circulation.

Sunset turns the water into colorful artwork

As the sun goes down, salt crystals and algae make the water glow pink, purple, and orange. You’ll see this best from May through September when there’s more algae in the water.

The color show runs for about 20 minutes while the sun sets. For the best view, head to Bridger Bay Beach and look west across the water, where the light hits just right to make the colors most vivid.

Salt crusts by the shore feel like walking on snow

Near the water’s edge, you’ll find salt crusts that crunch under your feet just like fresh snow. These crusts can be up to 3 inches thick where few people walk.

They’re most defined in late summer when water levels drop. The north shore has the strongest crusts because there’s more salt there – strong enough to hold an adult’s weight without breaking through.

You can only swim in a few good spots

For the best swimming, head to Bridger Bay on Antelope Island with its clean, white sand beaches. You’ll find the south arm less smelly than the north because it has half the salt concentration.

When water levels are low, you might walk up to a quarter-mile to reach the water from the beach facilities. Don’t forget to use the freshwater showers at Bridger Bay Beach afterward – if you don’t rinse off the salt, it can ruin your clothes.

Wind creates tall piles of foam along the shore

When it gets windy, foam piles can build up 3 feet high and stretch for hundreds of yards along the shore. This happens because natural substances from tiny lake organisms lower the water’s surface tension.

You’ll see this most often during spring storms in April and May. Unlike ocean foam that disappears quickly, this foam can stick around for hours after the wind dies down because of the lake’s unique chemistry.

You’ll notice a strange smell near the lake

There’s a distinct sulfur smell from bacteria breaking down plant matter in the lake bed. It gets stronger in shallow water less than 3 feet deep.

Even after washing your clothes, they might still smell unless you add vinegar to the rinse cycle. The smell is worst on hot summer days over 90°F, especially in shallow areas where water doesn’t move much.

Salt forms underwater shelves you can stand on

Solid salt shelves form underwater where you can stand waist-deep. These natural platforms extend up to 30 yards from shore in some spots. They change location as water levels shift, with new ones appearing each spring.

Locals who swim regularly know where to find these shelves for taking breaks during longer swims, especially on the north shore where higher salt levels make them more stable.

Warm springs create cozy swimming spots

Underground springs create pockets of 75°F water that stay warm year-round. The biggest one you can reach is 100 yards offshore from the northwest corner of Antelope Island.

These spots stay 5-15 degrees warmer than the rest of the lake during spring and fall. People who know the lake well use these warm areas to swim comfortably in April and October when most of the lake is too cold.

You can make your own salt crystal jewelry

If you hang string or thin wire in the lake water overnight, beautiful crystals will grow on it. The crystals keep growing for 3-4 days after you take them out if you keep them in a damp place.

For the best crystal formation, go to areas with calm water near Black Rock Beach. Many visitors make necklaces or earrings as one-of-a-kind souvenirs, though they’ll eventually break down unless you coat them with clear nail polish or crystal preserver.

Small salt islands float around the lake

Tiny islands made of salt and plants float around certain parts of the lake. These mini-ecosystems measure 1-6 feet across and contain tiny organisms you won’t find anywhere else.

They form most often in June and July in the southern parts of the lake. While they can hold small objects, they collapse if you try to stand on them since they can’t support more than 15 pounds.

Visiting Great Salt Lake

You can access the lake best through Great Salt Lake State Park and Antelope Island State Park. In 2025, entry costs $15 per vehicle, with a discount for seniors at $10.

The visitor centers open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, though Antelope Island’s closes at 4 pm in winter. After swimming, you can rinse off the salt at the freshwater showers at Bridger Bay Beach.

The best time to swim is June through September when the water warms to 75-85°F. If you hate bugs, avoid late April through July when brine flies are most active – August and September are much more pleasant.

To get to Antelope Island State Park, head to 4528 W 1700 S, Syracuse, UT 84075.