Guide to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC / KSLC)

This is a phenomenal spot to get planes coming in to land on 34R and heavies/big 737s departing 16L (anything else departing 16L will be too high for a decent photo). It’s only available when the golf course is open (almost any day above freezing without snow or rain), since when it’s closed, there’s no designated parking, and due to its close proximity to a security access gate, the cops don’t like it when you pull over. There’s also some landscaping running in between the road and the canal (right next to the cargo ramp), it offers spectacular opportunities for lineup shots and shots of planes taxiing for takeoff on 34R. The cargo guys have instructions to call in anyone loitering there, so expect a visit from the folks at the SLC Airport Authority.

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This is a great spot if you can fit your lens thru a chain-link fence. It offers spectacular viewing of planes coming in for 34R (they come in feet above your head!) and planes holding for 34R. There’s nothing but the fence separating you from the planes, so the police can get a bit touchy about loitering here, however, it is probably the best spot for viewing/photography at the airport. The path extends all the way past Runway 35.

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You’ll want at least 6-8x zoom from this spot. As of early 2006 there’s an undeveloped field in between Microtel and 34L which is a great spot for planes coming in to land. You mostly see Delta planes on this runway, cause it’s further away from the Terminal 1 and the cargo ramp, where the non-Delta planes go. However, there is occasionally the FedEx heavy or 727. If you’re shooting for Delta heavies, this is your spot. I’ve never had any trouble from the cops here.

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This is a good spot – only if nothing else works out. I’ve never had any trouble with the police here in my few quick photography visits, never even seen an officer here, in fact, but go somewhere else if you can. It offers good shots of planes taxiing into Terminal 1, and planes departing 16L to the south. If you’re lucky, there may be a few unobstructed views of Regional Jets/Skywest Brasilias too.

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