Great Salt Lake State Park — Attraction in Magna

📍 Great Salt Lake State Park Address: 13312 W 1075 S, Magna, UT 84044 Phone: (801) 828-0787 Hours: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM (seasonal hours may vary) Website: stateparks.utah.gov

🥇A truly unique and iconic Utah destination! Great Salt Lake State Park offers a one-of-a-kind experience where you can explore the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. The landscape is surreal — calm, expansive waters with dramatic mountain backdrops and stunning sunsets. It’s especially photogenic during golden hour.

The visitor center is informative and staffed by friendly rangers. You’ll learn about the lake’s history, ecology, and changing water levels. There are clean restrooms, shaded picnic areas, and a small gift shop as well.

🚤 Activities & Tours: • You can book a guided boat tour during warmer months, which gives you a fascinating view of the lake and insights into its mineral content, bird life, and more. • Kayak and paddleboard rentals are sometimes available in season. • Swimming is allowed — floating in the ultra-salty water is a weird and cool sensation — but keep in mind the bugs and brine shrimp can be intense depending on the season.

🐦 Wildlife: Birdwatching here is excellent, especially for migratory species. It’s part of the Great Salt Lake Audubon Birding Trail.

💡 Tips: • Bring water, sunscreen, and sturdy shoes (the shoreline can be muddy or crusty). • Be prepared for strong smells in warmer weather — totally natural, but good to know. • There’s an entrance fee (usually around $5–10 per vehicle). • Drone use and sunset photography are popular, but check rules first.

Overall, a fascinating stop whether you’re a local or tourist. It’s not a traditional “beach day” destination — it’s more of a surreal, educational, and memorable...

This park is absolutely infested with spiders and gnats. The spiders line the wooden stairs and deck to get into the Visitor Center/Gift Shop and are all over the viewpoint of the lake a short walk from the parking lot. And I don’t mean tiny spiders. These are much bigger than a quarter each and there are thousands of them covering every structure in the small area. They were even covering the viewing binoculars and platform railing so we couldn’t get close enough to truly enjoy the lake. Plus, they lined both sides of the short staircase leading up to the viewing platform and we had to walk back through them to get back to the parking area which gave us all the heebie jeebies. We tried to walk down to the lake to feel the salinity but were accosted by tiny flying bugs. The beach doesn’t have any spiders that we saw but it is covered in millions of tiny flying bugs. They didn’t seem to bite but my teen son was wearing shorts and although he has no fear of bugs or spiders, he refused to go further than about 15 feet from the shore as they fully engulfed both of his lower legs. My husband and I also were engulfed but wearing long pants so we thought we could make it. Nope. Turned around before we could touch the water deterred by the sheer volume and tenacity of the tiny menaces. My family has been to dozens of state and national parks and this is, by far, the most disappointing. It is $10 to enter and we left feeling dirty and itchy from all the bugs. Sadly, I would...

The Great Salt Lake State Park is a true gem in Utah’s landscape. Just a short drive from Salt Lake City, it offers an unforgettable blend of natural beauty, fascinating science, and laid-back outdoor recreation. The lake itself is stunning, wide open, and often painted in surreal colors depending on the time of day. With the surrounding mountains in view and the occasional flock of birds drifting by, it feels both peaceful and otherworldly. What makes this place really special is how much there is to experience beyond just the views. The visitor center is informative and engaging, with exhibits that explain the lake’s unique chemistry, geology, and ecological importance. You’ll leave knowing way more about brine shrimp, salt formations, and Utah’s history than you ever expected. There’s an active sailing community here, with one of the oldest yacht clubs in the U.S., and it adds a wonderful sense of life to the water. Exclusive Excursions offers boat tours April thru October, giving you a chance to get out on the lake and see its beauty up close while learning even more from experienced guides. Whether you're new to the area or a local looking for something new, this is a great way to enjoy the lake in a whole new way. If you’re into scenic escapes, light learning, or just want to spend time in a peaceful spot that’s not crowded with tourists, this is a place you absolutely shouldn't skip. It’s Utah’s quiet marvel and totally...