Kayaking on the Great Salt Lake
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Added by Lindsay Daniels
The marina is only about 20 minutes from downtown SLCThere are no motor boats on the lake beside the rescue boat. Catch the sunset over the lake from your Kayak or SUPDuration: A few hours.
Launch your kayak or SUP from the marina, which is located only 20 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City. You can go as long and far as you want. Some popular short destinations are to Black Rock (2 miles RT(40.725294, -112.227835)) or Pyrite Point (5 miles RT (40.758405, -112.191853). Neither are suitable for camping, unfortunately. However, you can take a break and get out of your boat to enjoy some lunch or dinner.
When the weather is good, you can jump into the lake, go for a swim, and enjoy the nice weather. However, during stormy weather more skills are necessary. Weather can come up quickly in the area. Especially in the summer.
When you're paddling, Black Rock is directly to your left as you come out of the marina. If you want to go a little further, Pyrite Point is in the opposite direction. You’ll have views of the Saltair the whole way and a little bit of a current to fight.
Sunset is a great time to be on the water, but make sure you’re close to the marina by this time so you’re not paddling in the dark.
On the lake, you will be hard pressed to run into any other boaters besides sailors, and even then you’ll only be seeing them at the marina. There are no motorboats (besides the rescue boat), so you don’t have to worry about being run down. Also, there is so much open water to explore, your options are nearly endless.
The views are incredible and will make you forget you’re on a lake in Utah. The Great Salt Lake is unlike any other body of water in North America, and it offers an incredibly unique experience for paddlers.
If you are into bird watching, the Great Salt Lake is one of the best places for spotting unusual species unique to the area.
Be sure to check the weather before you head out. Waves can get pretty big on this shallow body of water. Be aware of your limits and always wear a PFD.If you plan to do a longer trip, talk to the dock master at the Great Salt Lake and give him a float plan.
There are showers at the marina to wash off after your paddle.
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I don't Kayak
I don't kayak on the Great Salt Lake, but I row. I absolutely love this body of water, it is one of my favorite places to be. Either sunrises or sunsets are amazing to see on the water. I also enjoy being out on the water for full moon rises. If you have yet to paddle on this body of water, you are missing out! Brine Shrimp, Birds, and complete solitude await you! FYI it really only smells near the shore, brine flies are only prominent during the summer (go earlier and you'll tend to avoid them), but they do not bite.
5.0
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Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on.
