Spiral Jetty

Southwest > Utah > Spiral Jetty

Robert Smithson, Spiral Jetty, 1970

Spiral Jetty, Great Salt Lake, Utah
Holt/Smithson Foundation, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Massive earthwork sculpture composed of basalt rock and salt crystals forming a 1,500-foot spiral extending into a remote arm of a salt lake.

General Information

Hours:
Open 24/7; best viewed during daylight hours
No facilities on site
Fees:
Free to visit
Pet Policy:
Pets allowed on leash; must be supervised and cleaned up after
Closest cities with hotels:
Brigham City (45 mi), Ogden (65 mi)
Seasons:
Best visited in spring and fall; summer heat and winter snow may affect access
Location:
Spiral Jetty, Rozel Point, Box Elder County, UT
Website:
spiraljetty.org

How to Get There

From Salt Lake City (100 mi): Take I-15 N to Exit 365 for UT-13 toward Corinne, continue on UT-83 to Golden Spike Road, then follow gravel roads 16 miles west to the Spiral Jetty parking area.

Overview

The Spiral Jetty is one of the most iconic examples of land art in the United States, created in 1970 by artist Robert Smithson. Composed of 6,500 tons of basalt rock, salt crystals, and earth, the sculpture forms a counterclockwise spiral stretching 1,500 feet into the Great Salt Lake. Its visibility depends on fluctuating water levels, and when exposed, the jetty contrasts dramatically with the lake’s pink-tinged waters and white salt flats. The site is remote and undeveloped, offering a raw, immersive experience that blends art, geology, and solitude.

Visitors to Spiral Jetty are encouraged to walk the length of the sculpture, explore the surrounding hills for elevated views, and reflect on the interplay between human creativity and natural forces. The journey to the site is part of the experience—requiring a drive over gravel roads and preparation for the lack of amenities. Despite its isolation, the Spiral Jetty continues to draw artists, photographers, and curious travelers seeking a unique encounter with the landscape and a deeper appreciation for the impermanence of art in nature.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for https://spiraljetty.org/, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0