Great Salt Lake
Great Salt Lake is a massive, saline terminal lake in Utah, notable for extreme salinity, shifting shoreline, and its role as a bird habitat.
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Geography
| Continent | North America |
|---|---|
| Region | western United States |
| Subregion | Great Basin |
| Country | United States |
| State | Utah |
| County | Salt Lake County |
| Timezone | AmericaDenver |
| Latitude | 41.1 |
| Longitude | -112.5 |
| Maps |
7:15 PM LOCAL TIMEGreat Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere and a defining feature of Utah's landscape. Its surface area varies dramatically with seasonal changes and upstream flows, typically ranging around 1,200 square miles. The lake's high salinity — often exceeding 5 times that of seawater — limits most aquatic life to specialized halo- and extremophile species but provides buoyant conditions similar to the Dead Sea. Shoreline exposes a mix of white salt flats, m-ridge and tufa formations, and regions of shrinking or expanding water levels. The lake is vital for migrant waterfowl (notably brant and american white pelican) and is also a site for recreational activities like birdwatching, boating, and kiteboarding. Access points and visitor facilities are found near Salt Lake City/__Ogden, with routes and campgrounds varying as water levels change. For the most current conditions, check local sources before planning your visit.
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