At 440,000 hectare, Great Salt Lake is the largest salt water lake in the Western hemisphere! It is a remnant of the prehistoric Lake Bonneville, which once covered most of the state. Pegged as ‘America’s Dead Sea’, Great Salt Lake is a haven for birdwatchers, as it is home to millions of native birds as well as shorebirds and waterfowl. As a result, there are a number of bird refuges and sanctuaries. There is more to the lake than just birds. Visitors also come here to go swimming, kayaking, sailing, picnicking and camping.

While the waters of the massive Great Salt Lake are too salty to sustain anything more than algae, brine shrimp, and brine flies, the wetlands on its north and east shores are critical habitats for millions of migratory birds, making it a top-notch bird-watching destination. There are three state parks adjacent to the lake, including the Great Salt Lake Marina, where you can launch sailboats and kayaks. And if the water level is low enough, you’ll be able to see the famous Spiral Jetty, a 1,500-foot-long art installation made of salt-encrusted basalt slabs. By Cameron Martindell, AFAR Local Expert