The Great Salt Lake State Park and Marina is Utah’s salt water action place.
Getting there, take I-80 west from Salt Lake City. Exit at Saltaire make a funny straight until you are looking at Saltaire. Take the left at the 4 way stop and proceed through the gate until you come to the booth which is approximately 2 miles. This is a fee required park.
This park is strict on operating hours. Don’t expect entrance before sunrise and expect to be asked to leave near immediately after sunset. Both are kind of a shame as sunrises and sunsets are amazing from this area.
Anemities
Fully paved parking lot with an RV campground along the Eastside. Full restrooms and picnic area on the Southwestside. A visitor center with a small gift shop on the Northside. Beach access along the East and Northside. A breakwater/ dike forms the marina basin which can be walked.
Operating
I’ve used a 17ft whip on a tri-mag and drive-on flagpole base for a 7m mast. I keep my foot print small. There have been times a tour bus pulled up next to me which caused no little interference.
Other options besides vehicle operating. One can operating from the picnic area. I don’t know if one is allowed to toss a line into the trees or not. One can go out to the beach with unlimited treeless set up options. If doing so please be aware of the extremely salty mud. A couple of foot wash stations are onsite.
I’ve activate on all bands I work. I can hit all States and have gotten more DX from this park than any others. VHF Simplex is available, reaching into Davis County and Salt Lake County.
Wrap up.
This is an easy to get to park. Operating is easy. There are a couple of downsides, the long drive (for me), the smell (those who’ve been there know what I’m talking about and it’s not always smelly) and the occasional brine flies.
73 and hope to catch you on the air.
- US-3075
- pd@kidpub.com
- KG7PRD
