The Bonneville Salt Flats are the dry bed of a vast ancient lake, a nearly flat, blindingly white plain of crystallized salt that is so level and so bright that it can feel like standing on another planet. The flats lie roughly 100 miles west of Salt Lake City along Interstate 80, near the Nevada border, and they are famous worldwide as a land-speed racing venue, where cars and motorcycles have set records since the early twentieth century. Photographers, filmmakers and travelers come for the same reason: the horizon vanishes, the sky merges with the ground, and a few square miles of salt makes the most dramatic images in Utah. The Bonneville Salt Flats Adventure takes the driving, the weather judgment and the logistics off your hands. A guide takes you out from the city, explains the geology and the racing history on the way, and brings you to the best vantage points, with time on the flats for photographs and the classic perspective games that the surface makes irresistible. When the conditions are right, the thin layer of water that sometimes covers the flats turns the whole plain into a vast mirror, and the effect is one of the most striking in the American West.
The story behind the flats adds depth. The salt is what is left of Lake Bonneville, the enormous Ice Age lake that once covered much of western Utah, and the crust, which is as much as several feet thick in places, formed as the lake evaporated over thousands of years. Racers discovered the flats' potential in the early 1900s, when the surface was found to be hard, flat and long enough for runs of many miles, and the first speed records were set in 1914.
In the decades since, the flats have hosted record attempts by some of the world's fastest vehicles, and the annual Speed Week in August is a gathering of builders and drivers from across the country.
Conditions matter greatly. In the wetter months, the surface may be covered in shallow water or soft mud, which is beautiful for reflections but can limit how far you can walk, and driving on the flats yourself is unwise. In summer, the heat and glare are intense: there is no shade and the white surface reflects the sun, so sunglasses, sunscreen and plenty of water are essential.
Racing events can close sections of the flats, and the shape of the public access areas changes with the season, so a guided trip is a good way to avoid surprises.
Practical sense
Plan on most of a day, with the drive of around two hours each way. Dress for the weather and wear shoes that you do not mind covering with salt, because the crust leaves a residue that is corrosive to cars and boots alike, so rinse your shoes and avoid driving your own vehicle onto the flats.
Sunrise and sunset visits can be remarkable, because the low angle of light turns the salt pink and orange, and some tours are timed for them. Pair the trip with the Great Salt Lake or Spiral Jetty for a larger western loop, and check with the operator about restroom stops and facilities, which are minimal.
What to expect
The experience
A guided day trip west from Salt Lake City to the flats, with commentary on the geology and racing history and unhurried time on the salt for photography.
Best time
Dry months for walking on the crust; wet-season days can create mirror reflections; sunrise and sunset give the best color.
How long
Most of a day, including roughly two hours of driving each way.
Tips
Bring sunglasses, sunscreen and water, wear shoes you can rinse, and avoid driving your own car onto the surface.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Photographers and anyone who wants a landscape unlike any other.
- Families
- Older kids enjoy the perspective photos and the racing history; the heat and glare make summer visits hard on little ones.
- Couples
- A sunrise or sunset visit is among the most romantic and unusual outings in Utah.
- Pair with
- The Great Salt Lake, Spiral Jetty or the Bingham Canyon overlook.
- Time needed
- A full day with the drive.
Good questions
How far are the salt flats from Salt Lake City?+
Roughly 100 miles west on Interstate 80, which takes about two hours each way without stops.
Can I drive on the salt?+
It is not advised. Salt corrodes vehicles, the surface can be soft, and racing events restrict access. A guided tour handles the access for you.
When is the best time to go?+
Dry months are best for walking and for racing events; sunrise and sunset offer the finest light. Wet conditions can create beautiful mirror reflections.
Is there shade or a restroom?+
Facilities are minimal and there is almost no shade, so bring water, sun protection and plan your stops with the tour operator.
What is Speed Week?+
An annual gathering of land-speed racers on the flats, typically in August, with cars and motorcycles attempting records on the long course.