“The fastest place on earth”
The famous Bonneville Salt Flats Speedway has been the setting for numerous land speed records. It is located just north of I-80, about 10 miles east of the community of Wendover. The Speedway offers an ideal environment for automobile and motorcycle speed trials. It is perfectly flat and has a naturally stable surface composted of salty soil. It has been used for serious speed events since the early 1900s. Several annual events are held at the speedway and give people the chance to see race cars and other vehicles attempting to set records. These events include: Speed Week (held in mid-August, sponsored by the Southern California Timing Association) World of Speed (held in mid-September, sponsored by the Utah Salt Flats Racing Association) These are popular events that attract many spectators. However, people need to be prepared before they try to attend one of these events. This is a dry, hot desert environment. The sun glare off of the salt can be intense. At some events, vendors provide food and drink. Camping is not allowed on the salt - you must stay in nearby designated camping areas or hotels/motels in or near Wendover. Entertainment filmed at the salt flats include portions of Knight Rider TV Series (1982), Warlock, Independence Day, SLC Punk, The Brown Bunny, The World's Fastest Indian, Gerry, The Tree of Life, Top Gear and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Furthermore, the Pontiac Bonneville (former flagship sedan of the Pontiac motor division), the Triumph Bonneville motorcycle, and the Bonneville International media company are all named for the salt flats.
Is there a more iconic place in American motor sports? I say no. Not only is it strangely beautiful, but it's filled with history. To be honest, there's pretty much nothing else out here, so if you're looking for a touristy place, pass on the salt. If you're looking for LSR history, come, and try to come during Speed Weeks.
I moved to Salt Lake City a year and a half ago, and didn't make it here until last month. This was such a beautiful place to stop on our roadtrip out to California. Driving by most of the Great Salt Lake/start of the salt flats, I didn't think I'd be too impressed. I was wrong. The terrain is unlike any other; it feels like you're on a foreign planet. I only wish we'd had more time to explore. This is well worth the stop if you're driving by on I-80.
For me it was meh. For my husband, it was AWESOME! I looked out forever into flat nothingness. My husband saw and heard (in his imagination) cars and motorcycles racing. It was thrilling for him. We even stopped for a t-shirt.
Nothing much in the of gift shops etc,but truly an amazing place .
Goes on forever,I have never seen a flatter place.
I think you speed to your harts content here,never saw any speed limit signs.
Well worth the stop, very cool to walk out onto the salt flats and feel the space. The quiet is eery too.
So beautiful and we saw a ton of classic cars! We got lucky today!!
Always stunning. Fun stop, no matter what time of day.
Amazing place for photos! Must see if you’re in the area!
the most beautiful place in the world
My husband wanted to drive 300 miles off my trip to see this. Let me just say nothing can prepare your eyes for that. My glasses turned as dark as they have ever been. And I still could not open my eyes. LOL! Salt as far as the eyes can see. Beautiful!
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Bonneville Salt Flats Speedway
Hours
- Sun - Sat: 12:00 am - 11:59 pm
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