National park · United States
Great Salt Lake State Park
Enter Great Salt Lake State Park for a quick lakeside walk (free) or rent a boat ($15‑$30) for a 1‑hour float; avoid summer heat by visiting early morning or late afternoon.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
approximate
Established
1985
Best months
Mar–Apr, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 14Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
- Southwest ↗Most national parks here charge an entrance fee per vehicle; the nationwide annual pass pays off at three or more parks — check current prices.
- Southwest ↗Alcohol is banned on the Navajo Nation and in many pueblos; some Utah restaurants do not serve alcohol or coffee.
- Utah ↗Legal blood-alcohol limit is 0.05%, lower than any other US state; liquor is sold in state-run stores only.
- Utah ↗Some shops and restaurants close on Sunday in smaller towns; national-park services run daily.
- Utah ↗Carry at least 1 gallon (about 4 L) of water per person per day in the desert; summer heat in the south exceeds 38 °C.
- Wasatch Range ↗A car is the practical default; Trax light rail covers the Salt Lake Valley core only.
- Wasatch Range ↗Canyon buses run to the Cottonwood ski resorts in winter; check the current season timetable before relying on them.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²)
- The park covers about 0.5 km² of shoreline and facilities; figures are from Utah State Parks (check).
- Established
- 1985
- Best months
- Mar–Apr, Oct
- Permits
- Not needed
- Base
- Salt Lake City
Great Salt Lake State Park offers a brief lakeside experience on the Utah side of the Great Salt Lake, with easy shoreline walks, bird‑watching during migrations, and the chance to float in highly saline water. Facilities are minimal, focusing on a visitor center, boat launch, and a small campground.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1985.
Size and age
1 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (1 km²) · national park since 1985
The park covers about 0.5 km² of shoreline and facilities; figures are from Utah State Parks (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Salt Lake City.
Why go
- Lake shore with views of Antelope Island and sunset over the Great Salt Lake.
- Opportunity to float in one of the world’s saltiest bodies of water.
- Bird‑watching during spring and fall migrations.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but clear; good for photography.
- FebStill cold, fewer crowds.
- MarSpring migrations, mild temps.
- AprBirds abundant, comfortable weather.
- MayWarm, but not too hot yet.
- JunHeat rises; water still very salty.
- JulHigh temps, possible dust.
- AugPeak heat, limited shade.
- SepFall migrations return.
- OctCooler, great light for photos.
- NovCold but clear.
- DecWinter quiet, good for solitude.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Migratory shorebirds (e.g., avocets, sandpipers)Mar–May, Sep–Nov | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Brine shrimp (visible in water)Jun–Sep | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Salt Lake City
Take I‑80 west 20 min; park entrance off exit ramp.
20 min
Open the page →
From Provo
US‑89 north to I‑80 west, then exit to park.
45 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor Center | Information desk, small shop, restrooms. | Open daily 9:00‑17:00 (check).Open daily 9:00 AM‑5:00 PM (check). |
| Boat Launch | Launch ramp and rental kiosk. | Open with marina hours. |
| Campground | Few sites with picnic tables and fire rings. | First‑come, first‑served. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Utah State Parks official site; approximate for facilities.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Free entry (check). |
| Boat rental (hour) | US$15–30 | hour | From Great Salt Lake Marina. |
| Camping site | US$10–15 | site per night | Small campground near visitor center (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Boat rental no permit
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- US$15–30
- US$10–15
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Utah State Parks – Great Salt Lake State Park before you go.
Park rules
- Pets
- Leashed dogs allowed on the trail; clean up after them.
- Alcohol
- Not permitted in the campground or on the beach.
- Fire
- Only use provided fire rings in the campground; no open fires elsewhere.
- Boating
- Safety equipment required; follow marina guidelines.
- Litter
- Pack out all trash; bins are limited.
Where to stay
In the park
Campground sites
Basic sites with picnic table and fire ring.
Near the park
Salt Lake City hotels
Wide range of options 20 min drive east.
Safety
Heat and dehydration medium
High salinity skin irritation low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Visitor Center and parking lot are wheelchair‑accessible.
- Trail to shoreline is paved and level; boat launch has limited wheelchair access.
Visiting lightly
- Use refillable water bottles; avoid single‑use plastics.
- Stay on designated paths to protect fragile shoreline vegetation.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Great Salt Lake State Park?
Entry is free; optional boat rental costs $15‑$30 per hour.
What are the best hikes in Great Salt Lake State Park?
The park has a short shoreline trail (30‑60 min) that is flat and easy; the main activity is walking along the lake rather than long hikes.
When is the best time to visit Great Salt Lake State Park?
Spring (Mar‑May) and fall (Sep‑Oct) offer mild weather and peak bird migrations; early morning or late afternoon in summer avoids heat.
Can I camp at Great Salt Lake State Park?
Yes, a small campground with basic sites is available near the visitor center; fees $10‑$15 per night.
Is boat rental available at the park?
Yes, rent a small boat or kayak at the Great Salt Lake Marina; bring a swimsuit and follow safety rules.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Great Salt Lake State Park
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