Looking for a little adventure? And something unusual? Spiral Jetty in Northern Utah is both.
Spiral Jetty is a work of art that was created at the north end of the Great Salt Lake by Robert Smithson in 1970. It is made from local black basalt rock, which can turn white in some places, due to extended exposure to the ebbs and flows of the salty water. Brightly colored algae lives in the salty water and can tint it pink. Art and science come together here in fascinating ways.
I have visited Spiral Jetty three times – 2005, 2013 and 2020 – and each visit was different and memorable. My husband and I took our one-year-old the first time, and the road was so rough then that we had to stop and walk the last mile. By 2013, the road was much improved, so a friend and I seatbelted six kids into the back of her SUV on a weekday just before school started.
Our most recent visit was with my husband and two children (age 13 and 15) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ironically, this remote destination was unusually crowded because activity options were limited and it was a perfect spring day. However, there was still plenty of space to “social distance.”
Want to see Spiral Jetty for yourself? Here are my tips for making the most of your trip.
What to Expect
There is a small parking area overlooking Spiral Jetty, and not much else. The parking area allows a clear view of the jetty. We and most others climbed down the short rocky path and walked onto the jetty. Spiral Jetty was completely surrounded by dry sand and mud on our most recent visit.
The shoreline had receded beyond the jetty and the blue water was rimmed with bright orange algae and crystallized salt. On a previous summer visit when the water was a higher, the algae tinted the water pink and the salt turned the rocks white.
There are two short trails on the other side of the parking lot. These lead to higher points where you can get a better view from above Spiral Jetty.
It costs nothing to visit Spiral Jetty. It is not a state or national park.
Spiral Jetty is remote, but still attracts thousands of visitors each year. Visitors are welcome to walk on the jetty and in the lake. Water levels, seasons, human interaction and time have changed this work of art, and will continue to do so.
Check the water levels
Spiral Jetty is only visible when the water level is below about 4195 feet. It was submerged soon after its creation and stayed underwater for 30 years.
Due to drought, it has been dry since 2002. Until the Great Salt Lake rises significantly, the jetty will probably be visible for years to come.
Keep in mind that what you see at Spiral Jetty may be different than what we saw, due to changing water conditions.
How to Get There
Take Interstate 15 toward Brigham City, Utah and follow signs to the town of Corrinne. From the south, it's Exit 365 for UT-13/Promontory. From there follow the signs to Golden Spike. Once you reach Golden Spike, continue onto the gravel road and follow the signs to Spiral Jetty.
Google Maps gave us good directions to Spiral Jetty – except right at the end when it told us to take a sharp left where there was no road. Use common sense, obviously. If you use a map app, download the directions while you still have service.
You can also get detailed driving directions at spiraljetty.org.
Go with a full tank of fuel
Spiral Jetty is about 40 miles beyond the last gas station in Corinne, Utah. Make sure your car has enough fuel to get you there and back.
Make sure your car is up for it
The last 15 miles of the drive to Spiral Jetty are on a well-maintained gravel road. It has been much improved since our 2005 visit when we had to turn around.
It's a long, dusty drive through the middle of nowhere, but most passenger vehicles should be able to make it with little trouble. However, I recommend that you check your spare tire and tools, and go prepared for anything.
On our most recent visit, we saw a minivan in the Spiral Jetty parking lot with a flat tire. The family was able to change it and get back on their way, but be aware that this is a very remote location and you will probably not have phone service.
Pack plenty of snacks and water
There is no place to get food or water at Spiral Jetty, and it's at least a 90-minute round trip from Brigham City restaurants. Add whatever time and energy you spend at Spiral Jetty, and it's a safe bet that your family will be famished before you leave the parking lot.
Bring lots of water. We used it to drink and to rinse salt from our hands and feet.
Golden Spike National Historic Site has shaded picnic tables and a water bottle filling station, and we enjoyed our lunch there before proceeding to Spiral Jetty. This is about 30 minutes (15 miles) from Spiral Jetty. Golden Spike sells a few pre-packaged snacks, but your best bet is to bring your own.
Will your kids end up in the water?
For my kids, the answer is always “yes.” The shallow water is smooth as glass. On our most recent visit, my teens were able to walk at least 100 yards out without the water rising above their ankles.
The water here is extremely salty – saltier than at Antelope Island or Saltair (also on the Great Salt Lake) and much saltier than the ocean.
For younger kids, the walk back to the car can be rough. The dried salt is itchy and it hurts any tiny scratches on legs and feet. On our 2013 trip, one little girl tripped and fell. Crystallized salt cut her knee and that injury was extra painful.
Thankfully, we had water, Band-aids and fresh clothing, so the tears didn't last long. If your family wants to wade in the Great Salt Lake, here are some items you may want to bring with you.
- Extra water or wipes for washing off salt
- Change of clothing for each child
- Towels
- First-aid supplies
- Sturdy shoes for scrambling up and down the rocky shore
- Bags to protect your vehicle from salty/sandy shoes and clothing. My friend said that the interior of her SUV seemed to be coated in sand and baby powder after the trip.
Related: Can You Swim in the Great Salt Lake?
Visit Golden Spike National Historical Park
Spiral Jetty and Golden Spike National Historic Site are on the same remote road, and neither takes more than an hour or so to visit. Golden Spike is the last place you'll find bathrooms and drinking water before you continue to Spiral Jetty.
Golden Spike National Historic Site is the place where the Transcontinental Railroad was completed in 1869. It was a major event in U.S. history. During warm weather months, steam locomotive demonstrations and Last Spike reenactment ceremonies are performed. Call ahead for the schedule.
It currently costs $20 per vehicle to visit Golden Spike National Historic Site. If you're just stopping to use the restrooms and drinking fountain, you won't need to pay.
Related: Tips for Visiting Golden Spike National Historic Site
Conclusion
I don't understand most modern art – including Spiral Jetty – but I still find it fascinating. Why would people drive on a long dirt road into the wilderness to see a big spiral-shaped pile of rocks?
It's hard to say, but I've done it three times.
I watched the families around me on our last visit. None of them were talking about art or nature, but people of all ages were all engaged by it. They seemed happy to be there.
I hope that our experience helps your family plan a great trip to Spiral Jetty. Happy travels!
Good to Know
Where: About 45 miles west of Brigham City, Utah. Get detailed driving directions at spiraljetty.org.
When: Sunny days when roads are dry and when water levels are below 4195 feet. The water should be plenty low for at least a few years.
How much: FREE
How long: An hour, more or less, at Spiral Jetty. It takes a little under an hour to drive to Spiral Jetty after exiting Interstate 15 near Brigham City. Brigham City is about an hour north of Salt Lake City.
Amenities: None. There are no bathrooms, fresh water, food, fuel or anything else at this remote site. Bring everything you need with you.
Need a hotel near Spiral Jetty? Brigham City, Ogden or Logan are the nearest cities to Spiral Jetty. Click the button to read reviews and check availability on TripAdvisor.com.
Website: spiraljetty.org
Colleen Lanin (@TravelMamas)
I had never heard of the Spiral Jetty before. Looks cool! Great tips for visiting, too. I’m off to pin this!
Jodi @ Family Travel Magazine
Wow! I had never heard of Spiral Jetty before, but it looks beautiful!
wanderingeducators
I’ve never heard of it before, either. VERY cool!
Laurel- Capturing la Vita
Wow! Incredible!
5catsphoto
We visited this just days ago – Memorial Day, 2014 in about 90 degree heat- and left town with a new set of tires. Only after visiting with more locals did we discover their reports of ‘…none of the us go there in a car; some take pickups with 8 ply tires but most won’t go unless in Jeeps with off road tires…’ (Our SUV tires were all seasons with about 50% of their life left. The tire techs said it looked like one of the notorious rocks did the irreparable damage.) When we attempted calling a tire place for help, we discovered we had NO CELL SERVICE and neither did our adults kids in a second vehicle. We also discovered the jetty itself was not accessible for anyone with mobility issues or wheelchair bound as you must walk over approximately 40′ of sharp, large rocks to get to the jetty’s starting point.
So, we would add the following tips to those discussed above:
Go only if you are in a vehicle sporting off road treads with more than 50% tread remaining,
Take a buddy in a similarly equipped vehicle. If you go alone, tell someone when you plan to return so they can alert emergency crews if you get stranded,
Use the restrooms at the Golden Spike site prior to departing for Spiral Jetty.
Assume you will NOT have cell service there.
Take enough supplies to survive a few days in case you get stranded; or plan to walk ‘…several miles…’ back to the main highway. According to the volunteer at the nearby bird preserve, several cases occur annually where people got stranded and had to walk miles before finding someone who could help.
We thought the site could be a destination if only there were a few covered picnic tables, seasonal portable toilets with sanitizer, and potable water available. Perhaps the site’s supporters could sell bottled water with the proceeds all going towards maintaining the site.
Quite frankly we thought this location was seriously over-billed. The nearby free bird sanctuary and educational center was a much better bet and must-see for anyone interested in ecology, bird watching, wetland preservation and free hands-on interactive options for all. Their site also lends fully outfitted backpacks kids can use to get even more hand’s-on with what they discover there.
Allison Laypath
Thanks for sharing your experience. Different visitors have different needs and expectations, and prospective visitors deserve to know exactly what they’re signing up for. It is true that cell phone service is limited to non-existent and that there are no services or amenities at all beyond Golden Spike National Historic Site. It is a good idea to carry extra food, water and sun protection into a remote area like this. There is a good view of the jetty from the unpaved parking area, but no wheelchair or stroller access to the jetty. It is a short, but rugged walk.
We found the road to be better than expected. I don’t think my friend’s SUV had special tires, and we saw passenger vehicles make the trip with no problem. In August, we saw several other visitors, so if you do become stranded, hopefully you will not be stranded for long during peak season. However, conditions may have changed since I visited, so visitors should always use good judgement and turn around if they are not comfortable with the road. I agree that it is a good idea to tell someone where you are going if you go alone into a remote area like this.
Despite the challenges of the trip, I still think that Spiral Jetty is a fascinating place. For many people, however, it’s not going to be worthwhile. Hopefully, we’ve given you the information you need to make the best decision for your family.
Jennifer
thank you all for these detailed notes, comments, facts, and opinions. I have a dream to get there in the next 12 months. thank heavens for public art. Art makes life.
Ambrose Reisch
Thankyou all for this information, my wife and I are from Australia and hope to visit the Spiral around the 20th of November via flying to salt lake city after visiting our son in Toronto. The aim is to hire a car for a day or two and drive out there. Any advice would be appreciated. Ambrose
Allison Laypath
Welcome to Utah (soon)! I would recommend renting a car with 4-wheel-drive. The weather may be excellent at that time of November, but I would be hesitant to go if it rains or snows. I suspect that there will be little traffic on that remote road at that time of year.
Jerry Smith
Just went out there 3 days ago. The roads were in good condition, snow packed in places but not a problem if you watched your speed. No problem for my Corolla at all. I have been wanting to go out there for years and finally took the effort to go. I’m glad I did, very interesting! Had a good visit at Golden Spike Natl. Monument also.
Allison
Thank you for sharing a winter experience! I’m glad you had a good time.
Katerina Marks
Thank you so much for this article. I also appreciate the insights found in the comments. I’m planning to go this year, after wanting to for so long, and this definitely helps.
Allison
This makes my day! I hope that your trip to Spiral Jetty is amazing!
Marc
I’m glad I ran across this article (via Pinterest). After seeing the film “Troublemakers: The Story of Land Art,” which spends some time looking at Spiral Jetty and showing archival interview footage with the creator, I put it on my travel list. I might have simply “winged it” like I often do, pointing my rental car at the location on the map. Now I know to plan for the right time of year and bring the right vehicle.
The Troublemakers film is definitely worth seeing if you have been to Spiral Jetty. Another Utah piece that is in the film is called “Sun Tunnels” by Nancy Holt; it’s west of the Salt Lake. That will also be on my Utah itinerary someday.
Allison
Thank you, Marc! I heard about the sun tunnels about a year ago and now it’s on my list too!
Ethyl Formate
This is a great introduction to the Spiral Jetty and I have placed it on my List Of Places To Visit. Thank you for taking the time to give your tips and “hacks” for making a good outing!
Allison
Thank you! I hope you make it to Spiral Jetty before too long. It’s a fun day trip.
sshunt
My husband is disabled and would not be able to walk to the jetty. You mentioned somewhere upthread that you can see the jetty from the parking lot—do you think it would be worth the trip if you can’t get past the parking lot? Should we rent a vehicle? Our Ford does not have high clearance, and getting stranded would be disastrous because of my husband’s health. Still worth the trip? Thanks.
Allison
You can easily get a good view of the jetty from the parking lot. It has been a while since my last visit, but if the road has been maintained, you probably don’t need 4WD to get there. However, it is a long dirt road in the middle of nowhere, so if you absolutely cannot afford to be stranded, it may be smart to rent a reliable 4WD vehicle or go with a larger group in multiple vehicles. If you go on a Saturday or other busy day, you’ll probably see other cars at the jetty too. Good luck!
Jordan Stone
Great tips. Thanks for the post. Here is an updated link for the water level if you want to check before you go. I realized the one attached in the article doesn’t take you there for some reason.
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/inventory?agency_code=USGS&site_no=10010100
Allison
Thank you! I’ll update the post with this link.