Do People Swim in the Great Salt Lake?
Yes — people swim in the Great Salt Lake year-round, mostly at Bridger Bay Beach on Antelope Island, and the water is so salty (about 5–27% salinity versus the ocean’s 3.5%) that you literally cannot sink. It’s less “swimming” than floating like a cork on your back. In 2026 the lake sits at roughly 4,191–4,192 feet — only about three feet above its 2022 record low — so at most beaches you’ll walk a long way across salt-crusted flats to reach knee-deep water, which changes the experience but doesn’t stop it.
The float is the whole point — you can’t sink
The Great Salt Lake’s average salinity is around 12%, and the north arm above the Union Pacific railroad causeway routinely runs above 25% — some of the saltiest water on Earth outside the Dead Sea. That density pushes you up hard. Lie on your back and the water holds you like a lounger; try to swim freestyle and your legs pop up behind you. Kids describe it as “sitting on a chair made of water.” This is the entire draw of Bridger Bay — people don’t come to do laps, they come for the sensation of not being able to sink.
Where people actually go: Bridger Bay and Great Salt Lake State Park
Two main access points. Bridger Bay Beach on Antelope Island State Park is the popular one — a wide, gently sloping bay on the northwest side of the island, roughly 45 minutes north of Salt Lake City via the causeway from Syracuse. There are showers (critical — see below), restrooms, a nearby campground open year-round, and a $10 per-vehicle state park entry fee. The other option is Great Salt Lake State Park at the south end of the lake near Saltair, closer to the airport but with a marina feel and less beach. Most first-timers want Bridger Bay.
What most people get wrong: expecting a lake, getting a salt flat walk
Two mistakes wreck the day. First, because the lake is at historic lows, the “beach” now stretches a quarter mile or more of crunchy salt crust and mud between the parking area and actual water — wear old shoes you don’t mind ruining, not flip-flops or bare feet. Second, this is hypersaline water, not pool water. Do not put your head under, do not open your eyes, do not shave your legs the morning of, and rinse off in the showers immediately after or the salt will crystallize into a stiff crust on your skin and swimsuit. Bring a gallon of fresh water in the car if you’re not near a shower. Brine flies (harmless, not biting) will swarm the shoreline in summer — walk through them and they part; sit still and you’ll be covered. None of this ruins the trip, but going in expecting a normal beach does.
When to go and what to bring
The float works any time the lake isn’t frozen, but late spring through early fall is the sweet spot — May–September gives you warm-enough water and long daylight. Summer air temperatures can top 100°F on the island with almost no shade, so start early or come at golden hour. Bring: old sneakers or water shoes, a rinse-off gallon of fresh water, sunscreen (the reflective salt doubles the sun), a hat, and a towel you don’t mind smelling like brine. Skip: goggles (won’t help), fins (won’t work in shin-deep water), and expensive swimsuits.
Prefer a guided trip? Antelope Island tours, buoyancy floats, and Great Salt Lake experiences run out of the Salt Lake City area:
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to swim in the Great Salt Lake?
Yes. Multiple studies including 2023 water-quality research found the lake safe for swimming — the extreme salinity kills most pathogens. Don’t drink the water or get it in your eyes or open cuts, and rinse off after.
Can you actually sink in the Great Salt Lake?
No. At 5–27% salinity the water is far denser than your body, so you float automatically. It’s physically hard to keep your legs down. This is why nobody drowns from lack of buoyancy — the risk is cuts from salt crystals or dehydration in the heat.
Where is the best place to swim in the Great Salt Lake?
Bridger Bay Beach on Antelope Island State Park. It has a wide gently-sloped bay, showers, restrooms, and a campground, and it’s about 45 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City via the causeway from Syracuse.
Is the Great Salt Lake dried up in 2026?
No, but it’s very low. The lake sits around 4,191–4,192 feet in 2026 — about three feet above its 2022 record low and roughly six feet below the healthy target of 4,198 feet. You can still swim; you’ll just walk further across exposed lakebed to reach water.
Does the Great Salt Lake smell?
The shoreline can smell — decomposing brine shrimp and algae along the salt flats give it a distinct sulfur-and-brine odor, especially on warm still days. The open water itself is fine.
Do brine flies or brine shrimp bite?
No. Neither bites, stings, or is dangerous. Brine flies swarm the shoreline in warm months but part as you walk through them. Brine shrimp are tiny and harmless — the same “sea monkeys” sold as a novelty pet.
Keep planning your trip: Salt Lake City guide · 7-day Utah national parks road trip
