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Great Salt Lake State Park
Even though most Utahns take the Great Salt Lake for granted, next to red-rock country, it's probably the state's most recognized landmark.
A couple sits on a rock on shores of Great Salt Lake near Saltair Pavillion.
Johanna Workman, Deseret News |
Some have call it "America's Dead Sea." And with its shoreline only 20 miles west of its namesake city, it's a safe bet that most visitors to Utah's capital city will take a trip out to take a look. Flying over it while landing at Salt Lake City International Airport usually doesn't satisfy the curiosity.
The Great Salt Lake is the remains of Lake Bonneville, a prehistoric lake about 20,000 miles wide that covered the Utah region more than 10,000 years ago.
While standing on the shore, you might feel as though you are looking out over a sea. The lake is 92 miles long, 48 miles wide and has an average depth of 20 feet. The lake has another sea-like trait: a high salinity level that makes the water more buoyant. The lake is fed by four rivers and several streams, but has no outlet. The continual evaporation of the trapped water causes the lake's salinity.
The lake has little aquatic life. No game fish to speak of, only microscopic brine shrimp which provide food for the lake's waterfowl.
In summer the lake is a popular swimming spot. Since the lake seldom freezes, sail boats tour the lake year-round. The lake's marshes and shoreline are paradise for bird watchers.
Antelope Island, west of Layton, is probably the best place to experience the lake. The lake can also be accessed at the Great Salt Lake State Park, about 16 miles west of Salt Lake City on I-80.
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