This mysterious pink lake is one of Utah’s best-kept secrets! The lake is open to the public, but many locals and tourists alike have no idea that it even exists.
If you would like to see this natural phenomenon in person, then keep reading to discover how to find the pink lake at Stansbury Island, Utah!
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Everything you need to know about visiting Utah’s pink lake at Stansbury Island
Table of Contents
- Where is the pink lake in Utah?
- Why is the Great Salt Lake Pink?
- Is it safe to swim in the pink lake in Utah?
- When is the best time to visit Utah’s pink lake?
- Tips for visiting the Pink Lake at Stansbury Island
Where is the pink lake in Utah?
There are actually two pink lakes in Utah!
They are both a part of the Great Salt Lake, but one is found at Stansbury Island and the other one is in the northern bay by the Spiral Jetty.
This article is about visiting the pink lake at Stansbury Island, but I am including directions for both in case you are interested.
How to get to the Pink Lake at Stansbury Island, Utah
Stansbury Island is located about 40 miles west of Salt Lake City on the southwestern shore of the Great Salt Lake.
From Salt Lake City, take I-80 West for 36 miles then take Exit 84 towards Grantsville, SR-138. After 0.3 miles, turn left onto Salt Rd toward Grantsville, Stansbury Island.
You’ll continue on this road for about 15 miles until you reach the northern point of the island.
The first 4 miles of the road is paved but the remaining 9 miles are along a dirt and gravel road.
The road is well graded for the most part and a 4WD high-clearance vehicle is not required. It is mostly a washboard road, so just take it slow.
Just keep in mind that the conditions may be more challenging if the road is snowy or muddy.
You’ll find a few ‘private property’ signs posted along the road. The majority of the land surrounding the main road is private property, but the road itself is public.
Just stay on the road until you reach the end where you’ll find an observation point with a parking lot and a pit toilet bathroom.
You’ll also find a beach where you can set up some chairs and play in the water.
The drive alone on Stansbury Island is beautiful, even before you reach the pink lake.
The beginning of the road is surrounded by salt flats and mirrored reflections.
You’ll even find a small pink lake about 2 miles up the road on the right, but there isn’t any parking near the water.
Also, on the drive from Salt Lake be sure to stop by the Saltair.
The Saltair was once one of the most popular resorts in the west.
It was built in 1893 and offered a wide range of attractions including swimming in the Great Salt Lake, the world’s largest dance floor, a roller coaster, a Ferris wheel, midway games, rodeos, and other performances and attractions.
It burned down in 1925 and was rebuilt, but never quite reached the same popularity as it did in its heyday.
Today it is used as a venue for concerts and performances.
How to get to the pink lake by the Spiral Jetty
The second pink lake is located about 1 hour and 50 minutes northwest of Salt Lake City near Promontory Point.
The Great Salt Lake railway causeway is located west of Promontory Point and cuts right through the northern portion of the Great Salt Lake.
The entire bay north of the railroad is filled with pink water, while the portion south of the railroad is normal lake water.
It’s an awesome spot for drone shots, here is an article with photos and more information.
If you’re looking for the best spot to swim in the pink lake on the northern bay, then head to the Spiral Jetty.
The Spiral Jetty is actually an art installation that is located in the northwestern bay of the Great Salt Lake.
Directions can easily be found on Google Maps. I’m also including a map with each of the locations pinned for the Stansbury Island Observation Point, the Railway Causeway, and The Spiral Jetty.
Why is the Great Salt Lake Pink?
The entire Great Salt Lake is not pink, but there are two pink lakes within the Great Salt Lake.
The pink lakes in Utah are caused by halophilic bacteria and microorganisms that thrive in environments with highly concentrated salt levels.
The water west of Stansbury Island and north of the railway causeway are isolated from the rest of the Great Salt Lake that has fresh water running into it from the Weber, Jordan, Bear, and Ogden Rivers.
Without fresh water to dilute these smaller lakes, a higher concentration of salt is left behind during evaporation. This results in prime conditions for the pink bacteria to flourish.
Is it safe to swim in the pink lake in Utah?
While the idea of swimming in bacteria and algae may make you squeamish, it is actually safe to swim in Utah’s pink lake.
Granted, you wouldn’t want to fully submerge yourself and actually swim in the water. You’ll definitely want to avoid getting any salt water in your eyes.
However, the high salt concentration actually makes your body quite buoyant.
If you do visit the Utah pink lake, you’ll definitely want to experience floating weightlessly in the water!
The water is only a few feet deep for quite a ways out, making the shallow water quite warm and pleasant.
When is the best time to visit Utah’s pink lake?
Utah’s pink lake is pink all year long.
While it is possible to visit the lake year-round, the water may not be as vibrant after heavy rain or snowfall. The access road on Stansbury Island may also be muddy in the winter and spring.
Summer is the best time to visit Utah’s pink lake, especially if you want to get in the water and float.
Just keep in mind that it does get hot in the summer. There is no shade, so bring a shade tent and remember to apply sunscreen.
*Related Post: If you are planning to visit Park City, see our guide 10 Best Things to Do in Park City.
Tips for visiting the Pink Lake at Stansbury Island
Be sure to wear old swimsuits and footwear, and bring garbage sacks to bag everything up. The salt will get on everything!
It might be worth just wearing old things that can be tossed instead of trying to clean them.
The dried salt can be rough on your feet, so I would recommend purchasing some inexpensive water shoes.
Make sure you bring a fresh change of clothes, underwear, and shoes.
You definitely don’t want to make the long drive home wearing stiff and itchy clothes. You also don’t want the salt in your car!
Bring fresh water to rinse off the salt. The salt will dry and cake on your skin, making it itchy.
There is no rinse station or running water in the bathroom, so be sure to bring baby wipes and a few gallons of fresh water that you can use to rinse off.
The salt will also burn any cuts or scrapes that you might have, so wear a waterproof bandaid if you have a cut.
The color of the water changes depending on the angle and the light.
It definitely looks much more vibrant from above looking down.
When you first pull up, it may not look that pink but once you stand in the water and look down then the color will pop more.
For the best shots of the pink water, I would recommend a drone.
Drone permits are only $1 and can be obtained at the Great Salt Lake State Park visitor center.
Stansbury Island is also fairly remote with spotty cell service. Be sure to pack plenty of water and snacks and fill up with gas.
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I hope this guide will help you as you plan your visit to the pink lake at Stansbury Island, it is definitely one of Utah’s coolest hidden gems!
For more hidden gems in Utah, check out these guides:
- 4 Reasons Why Kanab is Southern Utah’s Best Kept Secret
- Sanpete County: A Utah Hidden Gem
- Kanarra Falls: The Best Waterfall Hike in Utah
- 9 Lake Powell Secret Spots
- Zion National Park Hidden Gems
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Would you say Stansbury Island or the Spiral Jetty has pinker water? Or are they about the same? I can’t decide which to go to. Thanks!
We haven’t been to the Spiral Jetty, but from my understanding, it does have the same pink water. I think they are both great options, I would just go to the one closest to where you’re coming from. I hope you enjoy your trip!
Is it deep enough to kayak or paddleboard ?
Yes! It is more shallow towards the shore but gets deeper the further you go out.