Spiral Jetty

What a great place to spend a few hours, walk the Jedi Path because the water has receded out a hundred yards or so, lots of people on paddle boards in the lake, sure looked like fun. They have really nice solar lights around the Jetty walk path now so the evening walks would be fun too. Keep in mind there are no restrooms out there and it’s 15 miles of dirt road from Promontory Point. Take a lunch and water and enjoy a few hours out there, pet friendly too. Don’t go out there on marginal tires or without a spare, almost every time I see someone parked on the side with a flat. The dirt road is well groomed but it’s still a dirt road.

The Jetty is cool, but the lake is even cooler. Come and ponder some of life's mysteries or float in the pink salt lake. Either way, it's beautiful. Just bring good shoes, especially if you plan to walk out in the water (the salt hurts). The dirt road is bumpy, but not bad. Our van did great. Dont miss Rozel while there.

This Is a man-made sculpture. We went in February and there's no water. Pretty scary stuff,actually. The drive on the rocky road will test your vehicles suspension. Take your time in the drive and bring good company.

Long fairly bumpy road to get there but yea ill say it's worth it, specially if you find a solid salt crystal, pretty nice views, just careful going down its very rocky and some rocks are a bit lose. You dont need 4×4 to get there, we have a 2 wheel drive and we were just fine. It is very windy and very hot when we went in July just an FYI. Fun little trip ill say, right before heading back home to Los Angeles. Also I could of sworn that one of the big rocks at the beginning of the spiral, close to the descent from where you park your car is a meteorite, it looks off place and looks like it had some corrosion on it, maybe its composition is one of iron.

Went at end of September, water did not reach the spiral but we walked out to the water (half mile or so) and the water was super pink! Best time to see the color is between 10am and 2pm when the sun is out, we got there around 11am. Water shoes are HIGHLY recommended as the salt in the water can clump up and feel sharp on the feet. Also be prepared for over 10miles of dirt road to drive on just before you arrive. Depending on what vehicle you drive could help prevent from it feeling super bumpy, we had a Ford edge and had to drive 10-20 mph to prevent it from being too bumpy. Was a cool experience!

Worth the drive. Bring a picnic. There are roadside attractions, and then there is the Spiral Jetty — a remote, profound encounter with art, landscape, and the unexpected. Created in 1970 by artist Robert Smithson, this massive earthwork spirals more than 1,500 feet out into the north arm of the Great Salt Lake using basalt rocks, earth, and salt crystals drawn from the very site itself. It’s not just a sculpture, it’s an experience — part artwork, part natural wonder, and part meditative journey into one of Utah’s most unusual landscapes. The drive out to Spiral Jetty is part of the adventure. A winding gravel and dirt road leads you away from town into the stark beauty of the lake’s desolate northern reaches, where cell service disappears and the horizon stretches endlessly. Once you arrive at the trailhead and make the short walk down, the jetty unfolds before you: a counter-clockwise spiral that lies quietly against the backdrop of salty flats and glittering water. Walking along the coils of the Spiral Jetty is a contemplative experience. The stones feel ancient, the wind edges across the lake, and there’s a sense of being far removed from everyday life. Whether it’s exposed fully or fringed with shimmering salt crystals depends on the lake’s water level — itself a dynamic part of the artwork — but each variation offers its own beautiful, almost surreal interpretation of Smithson’s vision. For lovers of art, nature, or unique travel, Spiral Jetty is worth the journey. It’s quiet, expansive, and not always what people expect, but that’s exactly what makes it compelling. This isn’t a quick roadside stop — it’s a destination that invites reflection, exploration, and a deeper appreciation of how art and nature can intersect.

Took bridal pictures out here during a week day. While it is quite the drive to get to, during sunset the views are absolutely amazing! We also walked up to the Great Salt Lake and all the salt looked like snow and the water was pink.

Driving through a trial to get to the spiral jetty was an awesome experience. Its a difference good vibe and the sky was pretty color, even though it got dark on us.

I'd always wanted to see Great Salt Lake and read about sections of the lake that are pink. So we stayed in the area and set off to see this pink water. There are 2 sections of the lake that are pink and we endeavored to see both in the same day and then stay in town SLC. we underestimated the time this would take. So in the end we only saw this and salt flats. We got there and the bugs were a real nuisance. as soon as we opened the car door or window we were swarmed and they made being outside the car really uncomfortable. Luckily, we brought our drone because Im sure walking down to the lake would have been even worse. We read to bring a drone as it was the best way to appreciate the pink in the water and it was really amazing. I dont know if you could have seen the pink well without a drone but I do know the bugs would have made it not worth it. I wish I could post my best video here but it's too long. If you want to see it I made in public on my facebook Rhonda worth warner. It's a long drive out in the middle of no where ... bring water, snack, hat, sun screen, be prepared for bugs, no bathrooms. make sure don't run out of fuel. If you think you want to swim there you will be covered in salt. We read be sure to bring extra water to wash off this salt or it hardens. Most people thinking of doing this bring an old bathing suit they are to just throw away. Be sure to wash it off your shoes right away before in hardens. In other words bring Lots of water. We came across a place called the golden spike .. national park pass gets you in free. But even without the pass or paying they have flushing bathroom, water refill and hose outside to wash off the sand and salt from the jetty. There is a NASA rocket sight very close we found accidentally by missing our turn .... my hubby thought it was cool.

Great place to contemplate if Aliens exist and other things The road in is a washboard road for 15 miles so 4x4 or AWD suggested and REALLY good tires Go just before sunset for best results it was cool and nice Only 4 stars for the road There are Huge Jackrabbits and GREAT scenic views

We drove almost 2 hours from Salt Lake City to be here and got lost for a while Directions to here not too clearly and good advise it's to use google maps when to get there bcoz there is no connection on your phone when you past the golden spike National historic park. We used the map from iPhone and it was lost connection that was why we got lost. Good thing we switched to google maps. Nothing impressive at the place to drive that far. If you plan to visit the golden spike park then maybe it's worth to go there since it's about another 30min drive. Also the drive to this place is quite rough on your car. Personally I can't recommend this place.

Talk about a far flung corner. This is a desolate place indeed. We had a flat tire shortly after Golden Spike and had to be towed back to SLC since these new fangled cars have no spare tire. Rented a 4 wheel SUV and headed back to the Jetty. After the visit we found we had acquired another flat tire but was able to replace it with a spare with copious help from 2 good Samaritans, one who is a miner and was quite mechanically agile compared to us city idiots with inadequate survival skills. In short, do not let me deter you from coming here. Every visit will be different, because nature, the canvas for this work is in constant flux . If I could spend the whole day here I would. I find this environment to be quite fascinating and surreal at times. I would love to see this at sunrise and midday as well. Hope you make it here. P.S. if want see all the pictures posted, use a computer and not your phone.

It is a bit of a drive out here but a nice one. You can stop by the ATK Thiokol Rocket Museum and the Gold Spike Memorial on your way. Once you pass the Golden Spike it is a dirt road. A small two wheel drive is able to make it. But, perhaps do not visit when the weather has been wet because you may get stuck on your way out there. There are trails to hike and lots of space to set up for playing and picnicking. Bring water and snacks with you (ALWAYS bring your garbage with you when you leave or use designated trash cans.). Because of lower water levels the spiral can be seen a lot of the time. This is a pretty neat art installation and something that you should do at least once when visiting Utah.

"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls." - Pablo Picasso Spiral Jetty combines the beauty of art and nature. This gigantic public installation created by Robert Smithson interacts with both its surroundings and people. Before heading there, check the water level to ensure that the artwork is not covered by the lake. When the water level is low, you can walk on the artwork and become part of it. Be mindful that there is no phone reception in the area. If you are on the way to Golden Spike, you should definitely stop by Spiral Jetty!

There is something incredibly fascinating about land art that comes and goes, changes with time, tide, yet, still remains the same... In 1970, Robert Smithson constructed this from stones that crop nearby shores. 1500 feet long, 15 ft wide spiral reaching from the shore into Salt Lake, turning, turning... Two years after it was constructed, it submerged into the waters of the lake, and was unseen till 30 years later, when droughts pushed waters away from the shore in 2002. It is still visible to this day, in all its glory. Your journey takes you through long private dirt roads, no-cell-signal territory (that makes you appreciate your old-style GPS that works in any condition), with cows walking slowly around - to the cliffs peppered with black boulders of hardened lava, and to the shores of the lake. It's a beautiful drive to even more beautiful sight. Walking along the cliffs you can see spiral clearly, then descending to the lake, and walking along the spirals, makes you wonder about time, nature, universe, and art. It's peaceful here. Wander, and see for yourself.

It's been on the list for years. There was always the worry about getting there in a passenger sedan. That worry is really gone. It's an all weather gravel road the entire way. Outside of watching your speed on the washboards. There's not much I can add. It's well worth taking the time to visit. The other reviews cover all the details, except for one. Make sure you also make the effort to get to the sun tunnels that were done by Smithson's wife. https://www.yelp.com/biz/sun-tunnels-lucin

Really cool landscape sculpture. Spiral Jetty is on the Great Salt Lake shoreline (or it was - the water is a distant memory now) accessed by a dirt road of about ten miles. You'll drive past the Golden Spike National Historic Site - stop in there, too. Wandering around the rocks that comprise the jetty, walking out into the salt flat from the jetty, and exploring the shoreline and hillside near the jetty are all relaxing experiences. Go. We found it helpful to already have the jetty location located on Google Maps before driving too far from the interstate (it shows as a location on Google Maps). You'll lose cell service as you drive in but the blue dot will still track. Otherwise, you'll need to follow the hand-made signs at the two intersections on the dirt road. The jetty is not visible until you're just about on top of it.

Very cool place!! the way to the jetty was 10 miles of extremely bumpy unpaved road, so that's important to take into consideration, but if your car can do it it's definitely worth it. I recommend hiking up the nearby mountain to get a better view of the spiral :)

I'm not very good at vacations. I'm much better at adventures or pilgrimages and Spiral Jetty was one pilgrimage I've wanted to make for years. Look up the directions to Spiral Jetty and it reads like a slog through a detailed litany of obstacles. In winter months, it's probably all true; however, I had a different experience on a hot summer Labor Day weekend. Up until the last half mile to Spiral Jetty, the gravel washboard roads were easily navigable by almost any vehicle. Combined with directions from the internet and little white signs to guide most of the way, it was surprisingly quite painless to reach my destination. After parking my vehicle at Rozel Point, I walked the last half mile as Robert Smithson's Spiral Jetty came quickly into view. My pilgrimage of preconceptions began to deflate in its expectations as I saw an entirely exposed Spiral Jetty that lent an almost Sunday in the park atmosphere: people basking in the sun, families picnicking on the large stones of Spiral Jetty, a new age crowd performing a rite in the shallow depths of the Great Salt Lake nearby, and a few dogs experiencing the strangeness of the salt flats. If a vendor with a small cart had appeared to hawk ice cream, the image would be complete. I spent a few hours grappling with this scene as I watched people come and go -- no hikers or adventurers here -- then the mood changed as the day labored on and people disappeared. I stared at the naked stones comprising Spiral Jetty and still wondered how they would appear in the depths of winter when salt water reaches this artwork and milky air casts an aura over the giant black swirl. After another hour, as the sun began to set, Spiral Jetty radiated a glow that begged me to look at it as it was: no shroud of mystery, but a joyful celebratory summer experience that was no less impressive. Pilgrimage complete.

Since the dry spell it's been visible. Check to be sure water level is under 4195 with USGS site: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ut/nwis/uv/?site_no=10010100&PARAmeter_cd=72020 Site with driving instructions - handy to screenshot it. http://m.diaart.org/sites/page/59/1310 Went on a day after rainy morning (6/11/16) no bugs/gnats/sand flies around when it was cooler. Descent is on a rocky hillside (not handicap accessible) but one can see the spiral jetty from the parking lot. Warning with Apple/Google maps- if you map it before it does jump- just stay on the road rather than veering. Only two signposts closer in- the 10 mi to jetty and 9 mile marker. Ranger at the golden spike says it's pretty much a left then a right after leaving their parking lot. Go past the different cattle fences. Yes even though says private lands stay on the road and don't trespass to the sides. Missed the rainbow/sunset but the last portion of road is ridged enough that one has to go slowly (10-20mph in a small car) and wanted to get back before it got too dark and more difficult to navigate. Road ends in a small lot (probably big enough for under 10 cars. It's nice to have the entire place to oneself.

One of my favorite places in Utah. I love to come out here before the sunrise and meditate. The drive can be rough so be prepared for a bumpy road and don't drive like a maniac! There is a really pretty view point up from the parking area but really, it's a stunning view no matter where you look. It's a LONG drive without service so make sure you fill up the car in Corrine and grab lots of water and snacks! If it's warm outside it's HOT here. But if it's windy that wind is a little chilly! You can get in the water but I would suggest bringing some jugs of water from home and a change of clothes so you can rinse off and change into not salty clothes. ESPECIALLY if you are bringing a furry friend. That salt gets caked in their paws (and in their fur). Wear sunscreen if your planning on being out because it's just a big reflective salt flat and you get pretty fried if you are prone to sunburns.

This is one of the most interesting explorative journeys that I have made in Utah. The jetty itself is very dilapidated and unwalkable, but since the water level is so far down and it is on dry lake bed, it can be walked beside it. I walked it like a labyrinth which means I had to unwalk it the same way. It is a lonely place and the waterless lake bed presents a moonlike experience. There are wooden pylons from old piers symmetrically extending out of the salty soil in a surreal suggestion of mysterious unknown purposes. I personally loved it and took a ton of pictures that I will never be able to explain. However, the really enduring memory, for me, is the 17 miles of gravel road that must be travailed to find the jetty. I drove it at 5 in the morning in the pitch dark and could only go 20 miles an hour because of all the hares. There were hundreds of them darting back and forth the dirt and gravel road. When I tried to drive faster I ran over one and had to stop my car to kneel over it in prayer, baptizing its lifeless body with my tears. I saw many fox and a few coyote too, almost frantic with my headlighted invasion of their precious darkness. But the real wilderness is when the Internet coverage ends and phone services dwindles to zero bars. Talk about being at the ends of the civilized world is one thing but to be out there alone is quite another. I personally loved it and will do it again whenever I am able. The hares are not so visible in the daylight incidentally. The solitary ride back was much easier. For the right kind of person there is nothing like this. Just enjoy the journey and do not expect to be blown away by the jetty. You'll love it!

This is a unique place to visit if you like avant garde art. Beware that there isn't a bathroom or water available, unless you like going in the great outdoors and like salt in your water. It's remote and be prepared to spend three hours getting there and back to the interstate. We didn't stop at the Golden Spike Center, but you might want to use the restroom there before you head down the 10 + miles of bumpy gravel road. I did enjoy my time here, but if I were on a schedule, it probably would not be worth the time.

If anyone finds my silver Nikon 35Ti camera here, will reward. Jetty is 5/5 tho.

The Spiral Jetty isn't your typical piece of art. First off, there is no real street address, just a series of directions that include "turn right at the rusted Ford truck." Not even kidding. In fact, you should gas up before you come here and don't attempt to reach it in a low-riding car. I was able to do this in a van, but definitely felt the rocks hit the undercarriage a few times... A truck or SUV would be highly recommended (the tree-hugger in me cringes, but alas, there isn't much choice here). Secondly, call ahead and find out if it's even above water. The Spiral Jerry is art in nature, and therefore subjected to whatever nature feels is proper for the moment. When I went, the guide said the piece had been submerge for at least a year or two, only emerging at the time due to a drought. I believe we called the museum with the Golden Spike (the famous golden spike that was driven into the transcontinental railroad). It'd suck to get out there and see absolutely nothing! Thirdly, have fun! You may get a beautiful day, or you may get a day like I did where the place looks like the apocalypse. You could even bring your swim suit and float around on the water, though the area by the jetty is a little gross (old rusted oil barrels floating around). Your call! Definitely worth trying to find, and it's such an amazing journey. It's not just about seeing the artwork, but finding it at well. I fought tooth and nail on my road trip to not stop here because it was so out of the way, but I'm glad I was finally forced to go. Absolutely breathtaking!

This is an arty destination. If you are arty go. This is a distant gravel road trip beyond the Golden Spike museum. It is outside mobile phone reception. It is possible to get lost navigating to it. It is well maintained. It has washboarding but a compact car can travel at a good speed. Check the water elevation online for the Great Salt Lake before visiting, If the level is too high, the sculpture will be submerged. The jetty is the work of artist Robert Smithson and supported by the Dia Art Foundation. When I arrived I found about 6 vehicles, some NW campers and an artist photographer. When I left there were about a dozen vehicles.

Spiral Jetty is an earthwork by artist Robert Smithson, completed in 1970. It was covered by water soon after he finished the work and not until 2002 did the water return to levels which have left the work exposed again. Going to see the Spiral Jetty is as much about getting there and finding it, as it is about experiencing the object itself. And be prepared for an adventure as it is located well away from Salt Lake City, Utah and far off the beaten path of most any markers of civilization. The whole experience, from decision to visit Spiral Jetty to the moment you are standing before the work, has a certain spiritual aspect connected to it for some people. It was such for me. Smithson was intrigued by the idea of entropy, the inevitable disintegration of all objects in nature. And Spiral Jetty is slowly being changed by the elements of the landscape. Discussions have taken place about restoring the work, but have thus far gone unresolved. Directions to the work is complicated and should be well researched before making an attempt to see it.

The Spiral Jetty on the north arm of the Great Salt Lake was constructed in April 1970 by sculptor Robert Smithson. It is accessible only by driving on an unpaved gravel road for 15.5 miles after passing the Golden Spike Visitor Center. By following the signs that leads visitors to the jetty, the road will eventually end at a cul-de-sac that overlooks the jetty. Passenger vehicles with sufficient ground clearance are recommended to take on the gravel road leading to the jetty. With my Subaru Crosstrek, I had no problems getting there. On a day I went, the water of the Great Salt Lake was far away from the shoreline that I got a nice, clear view of that cool, unique feature. One thing you'll need to note about the Spiral Jetty is that the level of the Great Salt Lake must be below an elevation of 4195 feet, as the lake levels may fluctuate depending on snowpack in the nearby mountains. Be sure to check the water level of the lake before you embark on the journey that takes roughly half an hour to reach from the Golden Spike Visitor Center.

Wonderful land art that is quite easy to get to with the road now vastly improved - no longer a rugged last mile but a standard dirt road like the first 13 miles. As of Saint Patrick's Day 2015, the jetty is not only fully exposed, the closest water is a briske five minute walk away (well worth it as it is otherworldly out on the ice-like salt bed of the lake). Plan your trip for a day when the Golden Spike National Historic Site is doing the train reenactment. And if it's on or near summer or winter solstice, be sure to also visit the Sun Tunnels out near Wendover, Utah.

The Spiral Jetty is really cool. Smithson died while scouting another site for one of his installations in Arizona. There's information about the Jetty and Smithson at the Visitor's Center at Golden Spike. The Jetty is made from black volcanic rock. The water was shallow when I was there in 2008. There was a pink hue to the water from algae that thrives in the warm brine. Salt has encrusted on the rock making the whole image very unique. It's well off the beaten path. The vestige of a pier used by the oil exploration industry is worth exploring. It's nearby. Golden Spike and The Spiral Jetty are two amazing places that most Utahns either ignore or take completely for granted. The trip and experience is remarkable. I'd avoid the Spiral Jetty during winter months. The road is dirt, rutted and likely impassable in snow or deep mud.

Such a cool marvel to see in the Great Salt Lake! It is quite remote, but worth the trip to walk along the jetty and out to the edge of the lake...completely peaceful and surreal.

A few tips for someone who is seeking to go here: - 13 miles of unpaved, gravel road - use gps coordinates, as an address would not work - stop by Golden Pike National historic site, it's free to go inside - wear longer pants and/or flip flops We came all the way from bay area California for a summer road trip 2015, making a huge round trip, stopping to grand canyon, zion, SLC, Elko,nv, tahoe, and then home. We had a rented Ford Fiesta Sedan with front wheel drive. The road to go to the jetty is quite bumpy, but not so bad (35~mph), yes there will be dust flying about, but no major rocks or dips because it's now mostly filled with gravel. There is no walkway or stairs going down to the jetty. There are a lot of sand flies and bug repellent doesn't really work. If you plan on walking down to the Lake, BEWARE, a million sand flies will attack. I had gotten to step further in the pink lake, but the bugs were such a bother, that I wanted to leave so soon. I found that a lot of reviews lacked this information. Otherwise, the site and artwork is amazing to see and is really something special. More people visit this location more than I thought, that being said, you probably won't be the only ones there. Would visit again.

In November last year, my wife and I flew to Utah for the purpose of visiting the Spiral Jetty. I was then unaware what effect the experience of visiting the Spiral would have for me. The location of the site is remote and difficult to access. For me it was this remoteness and isolation that was a contributing factor in its allure. In preparation I researched the location and the conditions of the roadway and the terrain. It was 10 am when we set out, up the interstate and turned off at Corrine towards the Golden Spike National Park. It is here once you passed the Golden Spike that the pilgrimage went into a lower gear. The road is quietly awake. It narrows and faithfully follows the landscape, intuitively over and around the rise and fall, like a drawn pencil line. A continuous soft grey pencil line. This vast and unique landscape became more apparent as we drove. We were in a state of heightened awareness, seduced by the sound of the car wheels on the gravel road in a repetitive chant. The idea of the Spiral was as a drawing, a very large drawing, a poetic gesture, with dump trucks and rocks, drawn out onto the salt lake. It was never meant to be seen as a spectacle. In this way I imagined it as a vulnerable entity that, though it was complicit with scientific concerns, it was poetic in its realization. On seeing the jetty for the first time it was a thrill. The sight of it impressed itself far beyond the senses. It at once seeps into your space like the words from a poet, profoundly and indiscriminately. The exposure over time had made the Spiral vulnerable and endearing in its fragility. It lay fully exposed. It did not present itself as a monument to ego or greatness rather as a profound poetic inflection. With little or no human intervention since its creation, the Spiral had undergone a massive natural metamorphosis. As a natural laboratory the salt lake and weather cycles have impacted and redefined the work as was expected. The soil that had been carted there by dump trucks in 1970 had been washed away. What was left were the basalt rocks, exposed and encrusted in salt crystals in-situ on the dry salt lake bed. vision at its best. Dr Ambrose Reisch

Disappointing. The trip there on 15 miles of unpaved roads through the desert was more interesting.