Brave Enough? Take a Plunge into Utah's Great Snake Lake that Wil

Watch out! It's warming up, and Utah is home to 30 some odd species of snakes!! And even though we live in a dessert, we still have a ton of lakes and reservoirs. In fact there are over 2000 bodies of water in Utah.

Some of the lakes and reservoirs in Utah where snakes may be found include:

Great Salt Lake: As the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere, Great Salt Lake and its surrounding wetlands can support a variety of wildlife, including snake species such as garter snakes.

Bear Lake: This large freshwater lake, situated on the Utah-Idaho border, might provide habitats for different snake species, particularly around its shores.

Utah Lake: Located in north-central Utah, Utah Lake is a freshwater lake known to be home to various species of Utah's version of 'water snakes' and garter snakes.

Flaming Gorge Reservoir: This reservoir on the Green River, near the Utah-Wyoming border, may support snake populations in its riparian areas.

Virgin River: The Virgin River flows through Southern Utah, passing through places like Zion National Park and the town of Springdale. It has various types of snakes and offers opportunities for hiking and enjoying the river's beauty.

Lake Powell: A massive reservoir on the Colorado River, Lake Powell's diverse shoreline and surrounding habitats could host a variety of snake species.

Strawberry Reservoir: A popular fishing spot in the Uinta National Forest, this reservoir might have snakes residing in its nearby grasslands and wetland areas.

Sand Hollow Reservoir: Is another popular spot for water-based recreational activities. Just watch for snakes while boating, fishing, paddleboarding, and camping.

What is the #1 Most Snake Infested Lake In Utah? Well infested isn't really the right word because that would mean there are too many and they would be destroying the ecosystem. So, we will go with the "#1 Lake with the most snake and species of snakes near it." (see how that couldn't be the title?)

According to AZ Animals, #1 is.....

#1. The Great Salt Lake
The Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. Really, it’s more of an inland sea surrounded by gleaming salt flats. Given the high salinity levels of the area, you might assume there would be no snakes.

However, Western Terrestrial Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans)
Valley Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis fitchi)
Great Basin Gopher Snake (Pituophis catenifer deserticola)
Western Yellow-bellied Racer (Coluber constrictor mormon)
Western Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora hexalepis) and others live in the brackish marshes and wetlands near the lake. Don’t be surprised if you’re exploring the area to see the occasional snake sunbathing on a rock.

Snakes are generally not aggressive toward humans and prefer to avoid contact. If you visit any of these lakes or other natural areas in Utah, it's important to be aware of your surroundings, refrain from disturbing snakes or their habitats, and give them space to avoid unnecessary interactions.