Black Rock Historic Site
- Alex Cabrero
- Mar 4, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 13
(near Great Salt Lake State Park) Let’s be honest for a minute. If you’re speeding down I-80 west of Salt Lake City near Saltair, Black Rock doesn’t exactly scream “must-see historic destination.” In fact, for years, most people probably saw it as little more than a graffiti-covered chunk of rock surrounded by weeds, dust, and salt. But if you slow down and take a look, you’ll find one of Utah’s oldest landmarks standing on the shores of the Great Salt Lake.
This site was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. Black Rock has a fascinating history that dates back to early pioneers, explorers, and even the first tourists in Utah. Yes, I was shocked when I read somewhere Utah had tourists here in the 1800's. The Black Rock site was a popular day trip spot to go swimming in the Great Salt Lake. Back then, the water levels were a lot higher than they are now. There are pictures of Black Rock surrounded by water. Today, you have to walk out a bit to get to the water.
I first visited Black Rock with my dog Timber in the spring of 2024 before she passed away a few months later. We had the place to ourselves and it was fun seeing her explore just like I was. She was always a curious little girl. I went back again this year with my new puppy, Aspen, and it hit me how timeless this place feels. Dogs may change and people come and go, but this spot remains and will continue to do so. And that view of the Great Salt Lake is amazing and, besides the water levels, probably hasn't changed much since way back when.
There’s not much of a hike here. It's an even walk from the parking lot and beyond a gate to the Black Rock. The short walk makes it perfect if you just want a something to do outside that has a decent payoff at the end. The path is flat, the parking is close, and in just a few minutes you’re standing on rock that’s been a silent witness to over a century of Utah history. Just don’t wear your nice shoes if it rained the night before because the salt and mud will make you question your life choices. I learned that the hard way one time :)
During the walk to Black Rock, you'll pass signs letting you know you are on the old California National Historic Trail. That trail has an amazing history all on its own.
There's even a little inscription on a marker telling about the Central Overland Trail from someone named Delia Thompson Brown from July of 1860. Delia said, "We camp near Black Rock on the bank of Salt Lake which looks beautiful from here and there are two or three large rocky mounds of islands just in site." I think that's pretty cool Delia's view was the same as ours, except, again for the water levels. The rocky mounds aren't islands anymore.
These days, Black Rock is getting a little more love. A cleanup effort recently removed a bunch of trash and graffiti to restore the place to something that doesn't look like a forgotten dump. Now the focus is on the rock itself instead of the trash and graffiti.
This site isn't going to be a big tourist stop, especially on I-80 where people are zooming by. Nearby Saltair will get more "what is that?" from people traveling on the interstate. But Black Rock is still a cool place to visit if you have an hour.
So, the next time you’re heading between Salt Lake City and Tooele on I-80, consider taking a little detour and check this place out. Let the dog stretch their legs. Snap a photo. Smell the salt air. And maybe, just maybe, you'll feel the quiet pull of Utah's past reaching out through the wind and stone. I don't think we can do that enough these day.
LOCATION:
Black Rock Historic Site
About 1.4 miles southwest of the Great Salt Lake State Park Visitor Center
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