Spiral Jetty
Robert Smithson's iconic 1970 land art sculpture, a coil of basalt rocks extending into the Great Salt Lake, often surrounded by surreal pink waters.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Golden light, stunning colors
Spiral Jetty
Best Time
Golden light, stunning colors
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Robert Smithson's iconic 1970 land art sculpture, a coil of basalt rocks extending into the Great Salt Lake, often surrounded by surreal pink waters.
"The Spiral Jetty is a unique and unforgettable experience, blending art, nature, and a touch of the surreal."
🚗 Vehicle Check is Crucial
15 miles of dirt road! Ensure your car has good tires & a spare. Marginal tires are a no-go.
💧 Pack Water & Snacks
No facilities here! Bring plenty of water and food for your visit.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Spiral Jetty Sculpture
Great Salt Lake, Utah
Robert Smithson's iconic land art, a 1500-foot coil of basalt rocks and earth, inviting contemplation.
The Pink Great Salt Lake
Great Salt Lake shoreline
Witness the surreal pink hues of the lake, a result of salt-loving microorganisms thriving in the briny water.
Salt Crystal Formations
Great Salt Lake shoreline
Discover unique and solid salt crystals scattered along the shore, a natural wonder shaped by the lake's evaporation.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Prepare for the Journey
Timing is Everything for the Pink Lake
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Vehicle Check is Crucial
15 miles of dirt road! Ensure your car has good tires & a spare. Marginal tires are a no-go.
💧 Pack Water & Snacks
No facilities here! Bring plenty of water and food for your visit.
👟 Salt-Resistant Shoes
Wear old shoes/clothes; salt gets everywhere! Your legs will look ashy.
🌅 Sunset Views
Sunset offers amazing views and can enhance the pink water color.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Vehicle Check is Crucial
15 miles of dirt road! Ensure your car has good tires & a spare. Marginal tires are a no-go.
💧 Pack Water & Snacks
No facilities here! Bring plenty of water and food for your visit.
👟 Salt-Resistant Shoes
Wear old shoes/clothes; salt gets everywhere! Your legs will look ashy.
🌅 Sunset Views
Sunset offers amazing views and can enhance the pink water color.
🦮 Pet-Friendly Exploration
Well-behaved pets are welcome to join your adventure.
💖 Pink Water Phenomenon
Pink water is seasonal & depends on water levels. Check recent posts! +1
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find Spiral Jetty a unique and worthwhile destination, especially for its striking land art and the potential for vibrant pink lake waters. The remote location and the drive on dirt roads are significant considerations, requiring preparation for lack of facilities and vehicle suitability. While some find the art itself the main draw, others are captivated by the natural beauty of the pink lake and salt formations.
"What a great place to spend a few hours, walk the Jedi Path because the water has receded out a hundred yards or so, lots of people on paddle boards in the lake, sure looked like fun. They have really nice solar lights around the Jedi walk path now so the evening walks would be fun too. Keep in mind there are no restrooms out there and it’s 15 miles of dirt road from Promontory Point. Take a lunch and water and enjoy a few hours out there, pet friendly too. Don’t go out there on marginal tires or without a spare, almost every time I see someone parked on the side with a flat. The dirt road is well groomed but it’s still a dirt road."
Gene Marcum
"Took bridal pictures out here during a week day. While it is quite the drive to get to, during sunset the views are absolutely amazing! We also walked up to the Great Salt Lake and all the salt looked like snow and the water was pink."
Joshua Jackson
"Long fairly bumpy road to get there but yea ill say it's worth it, specially if you find a solid salt crystal, pretty nice views, just careful going down its very rocky and some rocks are a bit lose.
You dont need 4×4 to get there, we have a 2 wheel drive and we were just fine. It is very windy and very hot when we went in July just an FYI.
Fun little trip ill say, right before heading back home to Los Angeles.
Also I could of sworn that one of the big rocks at the beginning of the spiral, close to the descent from where you park your car is a meteorite, it looks off place and looks like it had some corrosion on it, maybe its composition is one of iron."
evaristo martinez
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Spiral Jetty is about a 3-hour drive from Salt Lake City. The final 15 miles are on a well-groomed but still dirt road, so a vehicle with good tires and a spare is essential.
No, a 4x4 is not strictly necessary. A two-wheel-drive vehicle can manage the dirt road, but ensure it has good tires.
The drive involves approximately 15 miles of dirt road from Promontory Point. It can be bumpy and rocky, so drive cautiously.
No, there are no restrooms available at the Spiral Jetty site. It's important to plan accordingly and use facilities before you arrive.
Accessibility in winter can be challenging due to snow and ice on the dirt road. It's best to check road conditions and weather forecasts before attempting to visit during colder months.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There is no entrance fee to visit Spiral Jetty. It is a public art installation accessible to all.
Spiral Jetty is an outdoor land art installation and is accessible at any time. However, visiting during daylight hours is recommended for the best experience and safety.
Yes, the Spiral Jetty sculpture itself is always visible. The pink color of the Great Salt Lake is a natural phenomenon that depends on water levels and microbial activity, and may not always be present or vibrant. +1
No booking or reservations are required to visit Spiral Jetty. It's a free, open-access art site.
Walk the spiral path, observe the land art, and if the water is pink, explore the shoreline. Consider visiting during sunset for dramatic lighting.
📸 📸 Photography
Late afternoon and sunset offer the most dramatic lighting for photography, enhancing the colors of the lake and the sculpture.
Drone usage may be subject to local regulations. It's advisable to check with relevant authorities before flying a drone in the area.
You can capture unique shots of the land art, the vastness of the Great Salt Lake, and if conditions are right, the striking pink water. +1
The intensity of the pink water can vary. Overcast conditions might make it appear more pink than a direct sunset, but both can be beautiful.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the scale of the jetty and the landscape. A polarizing filter can help manage glare on the water.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
No, there are no food services or restaurants at Spiral Jetty. Visitors must bring their own food and drinks.
Pack plenty of water and a picnic lunch or snacks, as you'll be in a remote area for several hours.
Yes, picnicking is a great way to enjoy the remote landscape. Just be sure to pack out all your trash.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
🚗 Road Trippers & Day-Trippers
Plan for at least half a day to account for the drive, exploration, and potential stops. Pack a picnic to enjoy the serene surroundings. 🎨 Art Enthusiasts & Photographers
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
Understanding Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty
The meaning behind the Spiral Jetty is multifaceted. Smithson was interested in entropy, the process of decay and disorder, and how art could interact with natural forces over time. The spiral form itself is a universal symbol found in nature, from galaxies to seashells, suggesting a connection to cosmic and geological cycles. The artwork's visibility is entirely dependent on the water level of the Great Salt Lake; at times, it is fully submerged, only to reappear as the water recedes. This impermanence is a key aspect of its artistic statement, highlighting the dynamic relationship between human creation and the power of nature.
Visitors often reflect on the experience of walking the jetty, feeling the wind, and observing the unique ecosystem of the Great Salt Lake. The land art spiral invites contemplation on scale, time, and the environment. The Spiral Jetty is a powerful example of how art can be integrated into the natural world, offering a profound and often solitary encounter with both artistic vision and the raw beauty of the Utah landscape.
The Phenomenon of the Pink Great Salt Lake
The intensity of the pink hue can vary significantly depending on the season, water salinity, and sunlight. Visitors have noted that the color can appear more vibrant during certain times of the year or under specific lighting conditions, such as during sunset. While the Spiral Jetty itself is a constant, the pink lake is a dynamic element that adds another layer of wonder to the experience. It's a reminder of the unique and often surprising biological processes occurring in this extreme environment.
Experiencing the pink water is a highlight for many visitors. The contrast between the pink water, the white salt formations along the shore, and the dark basalt of the Spiral Jetty creates a surreal and visually stunning landscape. It's a testament to the unusual ecology of the Great Salt Lake and a key reason why many make the journey to this remote location.
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