Spiral Jetty
A Spiral of Stone on the Great Salt Lake
In April 1970, artist Robert Smithson coiled 6,650 tons of black basalt and earth into the Great Salt Lake at Rozel Point. The result, Spiral Jetty, is a 1,500-foot counterclockwise path you can walk, and one of the most famous works of land art in the world.
Why it's worth the drive: remote, quiet, and different every visit as the lake rises, falls and turns pink.
Owned and cared for by Dia Art Foundation since 1999. Link: Dia's Spiral Jetty page.
Quick Facts
Location
Rozel Point, Great Salt Lake
Drive time
About 2 hours from Salt Lake City
Road
16 miles of gravel and dirt; high clearance recommended
Fee
Free
Artist
Robert Smithson, 1970
Services
None. No bathrooms, food, water, or fuel
About the Artwork
Location
Rozel Point, northeast shore of the Great Salt Lake, about 16 miles past the Golden Spike visitor center on gravel and dirt; about 2.5 hours from Salt Lake City.
Dimensions and materials
1,500 ft long, about 15 ft wide; basalt, earth, salt crystals and water.
History
Built when the lake was low, submerged by 1972, hidden for about 30 years, reappeared in the early 2000s (verify year). Donated to Dia in 1999 by Nancy Holt and the Smithson estate.
About the Artwork
Walk the Spiral
Year-round · About 1,500 feet · Uneven footing
When the lake is low, you can follow the coil all the way to its center. The rocks are rough and can be crusted with salt, so wear sturdy shoes and take your time.
See the Pink Water
Best in summer and fall · North arm of the lake
The water around the Jetty can glow pink to red, colored by tiny salt-loving organisms. The shade changes with the season, the light and the lake level.
Take In the View from the Hill
Parking area overlook · Golden hour
Before you walk down, stop on the hill above the parking area. It's the best spot to see the full spiral, and it's where many of the classic photos are taken.
Explore the Salt Flats
When the lake is low · Bring sturdy shoes
The receding shoreline leaves wide flats of white salt crust around the Jetty. Stick to firm ground, since mud can hide under the surface.
Spot the Old Oil Jetty
On the drive in · Rozel Point
Near the end of the road you'll pass a straight jetty left from oil exploration in the 1920s. It's not the artwork, so keep going: Spiral Jetty is just past it, below the parking area.
Use the Self-Guide
Free · Download before you go
The Utah Museum of Fine Arts offers a free Spiral Jetty self-guide through the STQRY app. There's no signal at the lake, so download it before you leave town.
When to Visit
Spring & Fall
Best Time to Go
Mild temperatures and softer light make these the easiest seasons for a visit. Rain can turn the road muddy, so check the forecast first.
June–August
Summer Sunsets
There's no shade and the bugs can be thick, so come early or stay for sunset, when the water glows pink and the heat breaks.
November–February
Winter Quiet
You may have the spiral to yourself. Snow and mud can make the dirt road difficult, so check conditions and skip it after a storm.
Make a Day of It
Start at Golden Spike
The road to Spiral Jetty runs right past Golden Spike National Historical Park, so the two are easy to see on the same trip: history in the morning, land art in the afternoon. One marks where the country was connected by rail; the other is one of the most famous works of land art in the world.
Watch the steam engines meet on the original grade, walk the Big Fill Loop, then use the visitor center restrooms and fill your water bottles before the final 16 miles to the Jetty.
Stargaze at Rozel Point
With no towns or lights nearby, the skies over Spiral Jetty are some of the darkest in the region. If you stay for the stars, bring a flashlight and plan for a slow drive out on the dirt road.
Brigham City
Fuel up on Main Street before or after your visit. Brigham City has the closest full services, plus a historic downtown, local cafes and the Fruit Way just south of town.
Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
Pair land art with wildlife at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, one of the West's best birding spots. Its 12-mile auto tour loop winds through marshes full of pelicans, avocets and, in season, thousands of migrating birds.
Before You Go
Fuel Up First
There's no food, fuel, water or restrooms at Spiral Jetty. Fill your tank in Brigham City and use the restrooms at the Golden Spike visitor center, the last stop before the Jetty.
The Road
The last 16 miles are gravel and dirt, with washboard bumps along the way. Most vehicles can make it in dry weather, but rain can make the road rough, so check the forecast first.
Cell Service
There's no signal past Golden Spike. Download maps and directions before you leave town, then stay on the main gravel road and follow the signs rather than your GPS.
Weather & Care
The site is open and exposed, with no shade or shelter. Bring water, sun protection and sturdy shoes, and please leave the rocks where they are: Spiral Jetty is a work of art.