The Great Salt Lake…of South Texas
By Sarah Denzer
I grew up going to Salt Lake City every year for spring break to ski–and in the summers to visit my grandparents. One of the must-do activities in that area is visiting the Great Salt Lake. After living here in the Valley for a few years, I heard about La Sal Del Rey, a natural salt lake not far from my house. If you’re interested in natural history or you’d enjoy a unique hike, I recommend taking a short drive north to check it out.
The lake gets its name from the 1700s when, under Spanish law, all mineral resources were owned by the Crown. This is where “La Sal Del Rey” comes from: The King’s Salt. Miners would dig salt from the lake for trade with the northern territories for decades. During the Civil War, the Confederacy traded salt and transported it to ports in Brownsville and Matamoros using camels. Here, they would load the salt onto foreign ships for transport.
La Sal Del Rey is one of several natural lakes along the coastal plains of South Texas and is sitting on an estimated four million tons of salt. Guess what that means? Here, you can walk on water! If you have grandkids coming to town this season to visit, this could be a fun little outdoor adventure. I took my kids a few years ago, and they got a kick out of the lake looking like an ice skating rink.
La Sal Del Rey is located about 20 miles north of McAllen, right off US-281. It’s only about a 35-minute drive. Once you arrive, there are a few places to park, and both require a bit of a walk to make it to the lake. The walk to the lake will end up being close to a mile from either parking option. The walk is very flat, but it’s not paved, so you’ll be on an uneven surface. Make sure you’re prepared with water, a little snack, and maybe some bug spray if the mosquitos are still hanging around. If taking a hike is what you enjoy doing, this one needs to go on your list. When you finally make it to La Sal Del Rey, you’ll see the large, open, white lake. Along the side, you’ll notice a pretty pink hue the salt deposit gives off. Bring your camera and snap some photos.
It always amazes me when things this interesting are right around the corner from me and I don’t even know it. Go check it out, and if it makes you want to see the real one in Utah, give me a call for some tips!
~Sarah Denzer, Tour Manager
