Round The Twist: The Spiral Jetty, Corinne, Utah

Utah‘s Great Salt Lake contains an extraordinary earthwork sculpture made from crystals, salt, and basalt. However, the 1,500 ft tall counterclockwise spiral can only be seen when the water level is lower than 4,197 ft.

Constructed in 1970 by artist Robert Smithson, the jetty is situated on the north shore of the lake. It was covered by the water only two years after completion. It was not until 2004, with a drought, when the lake finally gave up one of its best-kept secrets.

In 1970, artist Robert Smithson set out to build an earthwork sculpture that was a monument to erosion, entropy, and the volatility of nature. Smithson—who was based in New Jersey—toured North America in search of the ideal location for his proposed land art installation. A helicopter ride over the state of Utah—where Smithson spied the crimson waters of the Great Salt Lake—convinced the artist that the shores of an ancient lake once known as Lake Bonneville with water that appeared red due to an abundance of salt-loving bacteria was the ideal location for a sculpture that was meant to degrade over time and become one with the salty sand.

Over time, the jetty colors have changed, from the black of the original basalt rocks to white, due to the salt encrustations that now cover them. Meanwhile, the water surrounding the jetty has a pink tinge from the lake’s algae, lending an otherworldly quality to an already incredible example of land art.

Photo by Todd Hakala

Located nearly 2 hours outside of Salt Lake City, Robert Smithson’s Spiral Jetty is an earthwork sculpture composed of black basalt rock and sparkling salt crystals. Depending on the time of year, the Spiral Jetty can be submerged in the waters of the Great Salt Lake, covered in a light dusting of snow, or exposed to the scorching desert sun like the partially unearthed carcass of an extinct sea creature.

The Spiral Jetty is certainly worth visiting if you yearn to experience uninterrupted solitude. Visitors must drive several miles on a rugged dirt road in order to reach remote Rozel Point. Depending on the time of year, there is a good chance that you and your traveling companions will be the only people for several miles. The Spiral Jetty features a lookout point with a small plaque that offers a sweeping view of the earthwork sculpture and the glittering waters of the Great Salt Lake.

Amenities are scarce near the Spiral Jetty, so it is best to pack food and water. There are several large boulders that can serve as rustic picnic areas. Just be sure to take all of your trash with you. Visitors can expect to see wild horses, pronghorn, and rabbits prancing in the brush near the lake. Often, the only sound is the lapping of a few gentle waves and the soft chirping of crickets.

The Spiral Jetty is currently free to visit and maintained by the Dia Art Foundation. There have been efforts to preserve the Spiral Jetty, even though Robert Smithson intended for the sculpture to erode with the receding waters of the Great Salt Lake.

Photo by Scott Stringham

As the West becomes increasingly populated, true desert solitude is becoming increasingly rare. The Spiral Jetty is a peaceful, strikingly beautiful oasis that is not to be missed.

For anyone nature and art lovers alike, Spiral Jetty offers a rare and unforgettable experience. Visit it and walk on one of the most celebrated creations of Smithson’s life.

Location

Rozel Point
Great Salt Lake
Corinne, Utah, 84307
United States
Coordinates: 41.4377, -112.6688