Swimming in GSL (beach, vacation, parking)

[AussiesonVacation]

I have read all about how smelly it is, how it is disgusting and warnings not to swim in there, yet I would still love to have a 'float' down-river. I was wondering where the most accessible deep part of the lake is? If possible an address or directions of the highway would be appreciated too.

Thanks.

[Stasia Ann]

Originally Posted by AussiesonVacation

I have read all about how smelly it is, how it is disgusting and warnings not to swim in there, yet I would still love to have a 'float' down-river. I was wondering where the most accessible deep part of the lake is? If possible an address or directions of the highway would be appreciated too.

Thanks.

I don't know where the deep part of the lake is but if you research Antelope Island, they have beach areas that you can go to, walk in and wade in the water.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

There is no current to speak of in the lake, there is no "floating down river." Access is from Antelope Island although you may have to wade quite far out to get chest-deep. None of the accessible parts are particularly deep unless you go to the marina, clamber down the rocks, and jump in.

[Stasia Ann]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelleInUtah

There is no current to speak of in the lake, there is no "floating down river." Access is from Antelope Island although you may have to wade quite far out to get chest-deep. None of the accessible parts are particularly deep unless you go to the marina, clamber down the rocks, and jump in.

If there was a current,an inlet and an outlet, boy would that be one heck of a lake to have property along

@SouthernBelle, have you waded in the water from Antelope? We didn't find it too enticing

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

No, many years ago when the level was higher we went to Saltair. My family tried to go in July at Antelope but the kids got too cold with the breeze and it was too far out to get above their ankles.

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[InSandy]

I really think the quality of the lake has degenerated over the years. I remember the brine flies and some brine shrimp when I was young and we would go out to Saltair and the Great Salt Lake State Park. And I remember the waters off Antelope Island when it was first opened. It was never pleasant, but it was certainly not UNpleasant.

The last couple of times I have gone the smell on shore has been bad, the flies have been enmasse, and at the beach on Antelope Island after walking and walking and walking and walking out first from the parking lot on the sand/mud to the water, and then walking and walking and walking out in the water with the mud squishing between my toes, until it finally got waist high so we could "Sit and Float" (which is all you can do really, just sit down in the water and put your arms out for balance and you'll be floating on top), I came back in and everywhere my suit covered between the suit and my skin were brine shrimp. I'm not an extremely squeamish person normally, but that just totally grossed me out. I've just gazed from the shore ever since, been there, done that.

The only place it is deep right off shore is at the marina, and it isn't really encouraged to get in the water there, though I suppose it is possible, I wasn't really looking. There is a very nice viewpoint there.

[Katzpur]

I would never consider a float in the Great Salt Lake to be "disgusting," although I have definitely heard that term used to describe it. Bridger Bay on Antelope Island is generally considered to be the best place to experience floating in the Great Salt Lake. Personally, I would recommend you give it a try. Antelope Island is really quite a nice place to visit, and is nowhere near as smelly as the area around the old Saltair beaches. I went to the Dead Sea last year (which has a salinity roughly equivalent to that of the Great Salt Lake) and it was a really fun experience. Just be sure to wear sunscreen and not stay in the water or even on the beach too awfully long. There are showers where you can wash the salty water off after you finish your float. One more thing... Do not get salt in your eyes. This may sound silly to even mention, but if by chance someone splashes water on you and you get it in your eyes, immediately suck the salt water off one of your fingers and then wipe your eyes. Your first inclination would be to just wipe them, but that would only make things worse.

[Calibelle]

I've been in the lake when I was 14. It was so salty that it burned my skin. It wasn't a pleasant experience. I remember all the flies down there. Millions of them. I've never seen anything like it.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

A few years ago my daughter wanted to experience it so we went to the marina and she clambered dowwn the rocks (really, not so safe) and went in there for a few minutes. She got to float, there weren't any boats coming in/out at that moment, and the flies were minimal. That's the only place I could see trying it but not for kids or the elderly.

[Stasia Ann]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelleInUtah

A few years ago my daughter wanted to experience it so we went to the marina and she clambered dowwn the rocks (really, not so safe) and went in there for a few minutes. She got to float, there weren't any boats coming in/out at that moment, and the flies were minimal. That's the only place I could see trying it but not for kids or the elderly.

When we first moved here last year we took our kids for an outing there in June. It was neat to drive the island, we saw a Bison and some Antelope and walked through the little visitors center. We did not go in the water because my husband just wasn't thrilled about the beach and when we tried to hike up a small hill to take some pics at one of the overlooks, we got bit by the little bugs, flies, w-ever they were. Haven't been back on Antelope Island since.