11/19/04

Bike, boat and stargaze at the world's most famous desert beach.

by Peter Behle

Overview
Beachgoers make use of Great Salt Lake as the next best thing to being at the ocean. However, the lake is saltier. In the early 1900s, hundreds of bathhouses stood along the shores of the lake. The most famous was Saltair, which featured a huge bathing area and the world's largest wooden dance floor. Most of these buildings, however, have been destroyed by the rise and fall of the lake's water level.

The Experience
In addition to swimming and sunbathing, Great Salt Lake State Park is a great place to boat. The lake has a 300-boat marina, as well as picnic areas and showers, which are particularly welcome to swimmers fresh from a dip in the salty, sometimes smelly lake. Mountain biking and stargazing are popular activities on Antelope Island, the largest of the lake's 10 islands.

09/25/02

WONDER OF NATURE

by biggirl

The Great Salt Lake is interesting and a wonder of nature. The problem with the lake is that most locals associate The Saltair Building with the actual lake, which is unfortunate. The State Marina is a nice place while there are some brine flies, the beauty is worth it. Antelope Island is a wonderful place, beautiful with great beaches. The smell and bugs are much less noticeable at Antelope Island. Visitors from around the world flock to the Great Salt Lake every year to enjoy it's majesty. Some of the most beautiful sunsets in the world can be seen at the lake. If the locals would not judge the lake by Saltair, they may come to enjoy the beauty, wonder and uniqueness of our great lake.

• Pros: natural wonder, known worldwide
• Cons: smell, brine flies