Utah's Breathtaking Pink Lake Is A Hidden Gem Less Than An Hour From Salt Lake City

The Great Salt Lake offers incredible spots for scenic photography or a therapeutic retreat, where you can feel weightless as you float. While many of the world's most spectacular pink lakes are far off the beaten path, like the pink lakes in Spain and Australia, two sections of the Great Salt Lake are actually pink! This pink color comes from millions of halobacterium that live in the lake and transmit the pigments in their cells through the water. Since the Great Salt Lake has no outlet, salt brought into the lake by small tributary streams remains when water evaporates.

The pink section closest to Salt Lake City can be found on the northern part of Stansbury Island, one of Utah's little-known natural wonders. It's a perfect side stop for a final break on a road trip from San Francisco to Salt Lake City, and is located just an hour away. The last section of the road to the parking lot is unpaved but should be navigable without 4-wheel drive — take extra care after a rainstorm. The drive along the Great Salt Lake is breathtaking and on a sunny day, you may see the sun reflect off the surface. 

The other pink section is about two and a half hours north of Salt Lake City, near the Golden Spike National Historical Site and the Spiral Jetty, a massive land art sculpture standing out on the lake bed. And, if that's not enough reason to visit this pink beach, there is a rocket garden just a few minutes away too!

An ideal time to visit either would be in Utah's hot, dry summers when this strange natural wonder of the world is at its pinkest and the biting gnats are less likely to bother you. While visiting in the summers, you may encounter brine flies along the shore of the Great Salt Lake. They don't bite, though they (and decaying brine shrimp) may smell like sulfur.  

Here are a few travel tips if you plan to get in the water and float the day away: Be sure to bring water, and snacks, and fill your gas tank before setting out, as there are no services on Stansbury Island or near the Spiral Jetty. Stansbury Island only has a simple pit toilet. Don't forget hard-sole or water shoes as the lake bed will poke your feet as you wade into deeper water. Also, wear an older swimsuit and have separate bags ready for your clothing, as salt from the lake will get everywhere. It's a good idea to bring some fresh water to rinse off the salt water from your skin and protect the interior of your car.

Since the water is nearly saturated with salt, don't expect to see fish or natural greenery around the lake; few other forms of aquatic life can survive in the highly salient water apart from brine shrimp and algae. Be careful to not get the water in your eyes or go into the water if you have open wounds or sores. If you're looking to venture out and explore around both pink beaches, note that much of Stansbury Island and the area around the Spiral Jetty is private property. Be careful not to step in tar pits as well as look out for your pets if you bring them.