Spiral Jetty

Created in April 1970 by renowned artist Robert Smithson, the Spiral Jetty is an iconic piece of Earthwork or Land Art located on the northeastern shore of the Great Salt Lake. The massive sculpture is constructed entirely of black basalt rocks, salt crystals, and earth, stretching 1,500 feet long and 15 feet wide in a counterclockwise coil that juts out into the water. It is widely considered to be one of the most significant and influential works of late-twentieth-century art in the world.

Visitors to the site can walk along the spiral when the lake's water levels are low, experiencing the changing colors of the water, which often exhibits a pinkish hue due to salt-loving halophilic microbes. The drive to the jetty is incredibly scenic and rugged, taking travelers through the remote, desert-like landscapes of western Box Elder County, past historic ranchlands and vast vistas of the Great Salt Lake.

Because it is a site-specific artwork, Spiral Jetty's appearance changes constantly depending on the fluctuating lake levels, weather conditions, and salt accumulation. Managed by the Dia Art Foundation in collaboration with the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, it remains a bucket-list destination for art enthusiasts, photographers, and adventurers seeking a quiet connection with nature.