Great Salt Lake Flying Tour: 60-Minute Aerial Adventure Over Utah's Salt Flats
Difficulty
easy
Duration
1 hour
Fitness Level
No special fitness required; passengers should be able to board a small plane and sit for 60 minutes.
Overview
Swap highway miles for a cockpit window: this 60-minute flight over the Great Salt Lake compresses a day of sightseeing into an up-close, low-and-slow aerial tour. Expect salt flats, bison on Antelope Island, and a living geological history visible from the air.
Great Salt Lake Flying Tour: 60-Minute Aerial Adventure Over Utah's Salt Flats
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The plane hums, a compact wing slicing a clear Utah sky, and below the Great Salt Lake unfolds like a living map — salt crusts whitening shallow bays, dark brine pools rimmed by maroon algae, and islands rising as small moons. For 60 minutes you trade highways for a cockpit window: half the flight is a high, cinematic sweep that frames the lake against the Wasatch, the other half is purposely “low and slow,” where the shoreline details push up into view and birds wheel close enough to read the tilt of their wings.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Arrive early and text the pilot
Meet at Skypark Airport; if you arrive early wait in the FLT Academy lounge and text the operator so boarding proceeds smoothly.
Bring layered clothing
Small aircraft can feel chilly at altitude and breezy on the ramp — a light windproof layer is useful year-round.
Secure your camera
Use a wrist or neck strap for cameras during the low passes; the best shots come fast and you won’t want to fumble gear.
If you get airsick, plan ahead
Choose a forward seat, avoid heavy meals beforehand, and bring motion-sickness medicine or acupressure bands.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Bison
- Bald eagle
History
The basin is a remnant of ancient Lake Bonneville; the lake’s modern shape and salinity are products of post-glacial recession and evaporation over 14,000+ years.
Conservation
Aerial visits offer minimal direct impact — operators emphasize no landing on fragile flats and follow routes that avoid disturbing sensitive nesting areas.
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Adventure Hotspots in Salt Lake City
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Sunglasses
Cut glare off the salt flats and protect eyes against reflected sunlight.
summer specific
Windproof jacket
Keeps you comfortable on the ramp and during cooler high-altitude segments.
spring specific
Camera with wide-angle lens
Wide frames capture the lake’s scale; a secure strap prevents drops during low passes.
Motion-sickness tablets or acupressure bands
Useful for passengers prone to nausea on small-aircraft flights.