I-80 Westbound, Salt Flats Rest Area Westbound, Wendover, Utah 84119 USA
Natural Wonder
To gearheads, the Bonneville Salt Flats may be most famous for its International Speedway, where numerous land speed records have been set. But the area, located 100 miles east of Salt Lake City, is on public land and open to anyone who wants to experience the bright white, otherworldly landscape. Just make sure to check the weather before you go since heavy rain can cause flooding and mudslides on the flats.
The Bonneville Salt Flats are one of Earth's most unique landforms. The salt flats are about 12 miles long and 5 miles wide and are comprised mostly of sodium chloride, or table salt. Located 120 miles west of Salt Lake City in Tooele County, Utah, the salt flats are a 30,000 acre expanse of hard, white salt crust on the western edge of the Great Salt Lake Basin in Utah. Like the Great Salt Lake, the Salt Flats are a remnant of Lake Bonneville, which covered over one-third of Utah from 10,000 to 32,000 years ago. The salt flats are on the National Register of Historic Places, are designated as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern, and are managed as a Special Recreation Management Area. The salt flats are generally open to the public for recreational purposes. Motor vehicle use is limited by seasonal closure during the spring when the salt is moist or has standing water on the surface. Closure dates may vary and will be posted by sign. The salt flats are used for land speed racing, archery competitions, running races, photography, videography, and scientific research projects. Public wishing to utilize the salt flats for these purposes need a special recreation or film permit from the BLM Salt Lake Field Office. 2022 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS The Bureau of Land Management, Salt Lake Field Office administers recreational and commercial events on the Bonneville Salt Flats to protect its unique natural resources. Note: Weather or other factors may cancel or delay events. May 6-7 Salt Flats Endurance Runs http://saltflatsenduranceruns.com/ July 8-11 USFRA Test & Tune, www.saltflats.com Exclusive Use July 5-11 CANCELED Aug. 6-12 Speed Week, Southern California Timing Association, www.scta-bni.org Exclusive Use Aug. 2-12 Map Stipulations Aug. 27-Sept. 1 Bonneville Motorcycle Speed Trials, http://bonnevillespeedtrials.com Exclusive Use Aug. 27-Sept. 1 Sept. 2-3 Dusk to Dawn Relay Race, https://www.dusktodawnrelay.com/ Sept. 2-4 US National Flight Championships, National Archery Association Sept. 8-12 World of Speed, Utah Salt Flats Racing Association, www.saltflats.com Exclusive Use Sept. 6-12 Sept. 27-30 World Finals, Southern California Timing Association, www.scta-bni.org Exclusive Use Sept. 24-30 In August the salt flats saw a large flooding event due to a large amount of rainfall which resulted in the cancellation of Speed Week. Despite the impact to the racing event, visitors participated in a different recreational activity and enjoyed a new experience on the salt flats. As a reminder, do not drive on the salt flats when wet as it will damage the delicate salt layer.
Fun fact: When Captain Jack Sparrow finds himself wandering a sandy purgatory in "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End," he's actually wandering the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.
This place is magical. The sunset is unreal and you HAVE to see it. The rest-stop is the best place to actually experience the salt and walk right out on it. You can't get there on the way back east, unless you drive another 25/30 minutes and turn around again, so plan accordingly. There are actually a handful of hotels on the Nevada border, which is only about 5 minutes away, so its an easy stop for the night. I cannot wait to go back, I absolutely loved it.
5 stars for the flats, 1 for the address. I didn’t realize that most people stop at the Salt Flats Westbound rest stop, which isn’t what I wanted but time constraints. Instead, I pass it (which, apparently, you have to drive back 30 minutes to do a Uturn for an hour long round trip from the truck stop back to the Westbound rest stop).
But. It also wanted me to drive two hours on some road north (same one that goes to the speedway - but I guess it turns off somewhere?
Really needs to be updated.
Was there in September, my gps told me to park and walk like 15 miles, I didn’t, I actually followed a van for like 10 miles before I stopped. The road was extremely bumpy, and very dusty. I however was not disappointed. What we were able to see was totally cool. If you have a 4 wheel drive, would totally be worth going even farther. Free camping, saw several campers, and lots of open spots with fire rings. Will definitely return.
We stayed at a nearby KOA on our way East and had to check them out: we were stunned. They are beautiful. The earth is a crystal white that glows and cracks.
We tasted the salt to make sure it was real. You can even drive on it (which is SO much fun) and it’s a gorgeous photo op as well.
There’s one gas station near by that sometimes runs out of gas so be sure to fill up on the way!
We were driving from Reno to Salt Lake City in I-80 eastbound. If you are coming from the west going east you MUST stop at Exit 4 to see the nice white sand. After exiting follow the signs to the left to the Bonneville Speedway, about a 8 min drive till the road comes to a dead end. Here tourists were driving out onto the sand. Don’t do it if there is water. And another poster mentioned some hazard but I’m not sure what.
You can stop at the rest area going eastbound but you will be on the wrong side of the interstate to truly enjoy the salt flat.
We went in early June and it was magical! Out of this world. It hurts to walk on the salt barefoot, though. So bring some sort of beach slippers.
For anyone who likes cars or bikes, this is a cool side trip. You can drive on the salt flats. Take Polaroid sunglasses as it is very bright and glaring!
This is also where For King and Country's music video 'Amen' was filmed. Pretty cool
Most definitely somewhere you need to stop! When flooded they produce some of the nicest photos. Would love to come back when it's dry as well
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