This Bright Pink Lake Is One Of Utah's Coolest Hidden Gems
The Great Salt Lake in Utah is one of the largest lakes west of the Mississippi River.
Pretty in Pink continues to be one of our all-time favorite movies. So much that we love pink everything. If you can't get enough of the color and want to see something really cool, we've got a treat for you. There's a pink lake in Utah that's got to be one of the coolest hidden gems around.
The Great Salt Lake in Utah is one of the largest lakes west of the Mississippi River, according to Live Science. It's 75 miles long and 28 miles wide!
It's two to seven times saltier than the ocean, which makes it a rare habitat for some really cool creatures, like brine shrimps, algae, and brine flies.
"Pigments in these salt-lovers' cells, including carotenoids like those found in carrots, give the lake and its salt crust a distinctive pink hue," explains the science-based website.
You can witness the wonder for yourself at the Great Salt Lake State Park. It's open year-round and you'll need a $5 park access pass. In order to see the pink-colored water IRL, you'll have to find the Spiral Jetty on the north end of the location. This local blogger has created a special guide to get to it.
Fox 13 reports that the road to get to the hidden gem is long and dirty and that there is no cell service in the area. It's best to download the map before starting your adventure.
At the park, you and your friends can rent a boat or go for a swim (if local authorities approve of the water safety).
And if you want to get that Insta-worthy drone shot over the water, you can do that too. First, you'll need a drone permit. You can purchase them for $1.00 at the visitor center.
If you do so, you'll notice that the lake is actually cut in half by a railroad since 1959. This human-built barricade has created two different ecosystems. The blue part of the water is due to algae of the same color.
Great Salt Lake Causeway Train over Pink Salt Waterwww.youtube.com
The lake is also a hotspot for migratory birds, so it's possible to see some really cool ones if you go bird-watching. The wetlands and shores around the lake are also home to other types of mammals too.
This state park has a bit of everything for everyone. If you want to check out some other cool places nearby, there is a clear water hot spring in Filmore.
It's the perfect place to keep warm with your boo or to unwind and soak away your stress.
The Great Salt Lake State Park
Price: $5
Hours: Winter hours 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily
Address: Great Salt Lake, Utah
Why You Need To Go: There's pink water + loads of animals to see while you're hanging out.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
This article has been updated since it was originally published on November 18, 2019.