Introduction:
What? :
The Bonneville Salt Flats and the adjacent town of Wendover, Utah, offer a stark, otherworldly salt plain landscape and a rich history of speed racing.
It's a truly unique stop on your highway 80 drive, right on the western edge of Utah.
Where? :
Bonneville Salt Flats is located in the Great Salt Lake Desert in northwestern Utah, near the border with Nevada.
Nearby you can find Wendover, a pair of towns right on the Utah/Nevada border (Wendover, Utah and West Wendover, Nevada).
The towns serve as the main gateway and accommodation center for the flats.
The flats are easily accessible right off Interstate 80 (I-80), about 1.5 hours (120 miles) west of Salt Lake City.
The main visitor access to the salt flats is via Exit 4 (Bonneville Speedway).
When? :
During the summer (June–August) and Early Fall (September–October) the Salt Flats are the driest, allowing vehicles to drive safely onto the hard salt crust.
Summers are extremely hot, with daytime highs often exceeding 100f. There is no shade. Early morning or late afternoon visits are recommended.
During late fall (September–November) and Winter/Early Spring when a thin layer of water can cover the flats, creating a stunning mirror reflection of the sky.
Always pack for extreme weather (hot in summer, cold in winter).
Due note 1:
Sun Protection is Critical: The white salt reflects the sun intensely. Bring sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and plenty of sunscreen .
Due note 2:
Water/Supplies: The flats are remote with no services. Bring ample water, food, and snacks for your visit. Facilities are limited at the rest areas.
Wendover provides all needed touristic facilities including gas stations, hotels, restaurants and stores.
Due note 3:
Driving on the Flats: Driving is generally permitted only when the salt is completely dry, but do so at your own risk.
The salt is corrosive to vehicles, so washing your car immediately afterward is highly recommended.
Caution: Driving on the flats is prohibited when wet or muddy, as vehicles can easily get stuck, and the salt crust can be damaged.
My thoughts:
It was a short highway stop on my way from Salt Lake City to visit Ely, NV and Great Basin National Park.
When I visited here during Sep. 2025 the entrance into the salt flat was close to all vehicles.
In Wendover I went to the area of the air museum but it was early and it was close so I did not go inside. It is interesting to see how the state line NV/UT divides the small town, and only one side has all the casinos and commerce.
The visit:
The main attraction here is the vast, flat, white expanse of salt crust, stretching for over 46 square miles. It is an incredible, surreal sight, perfect for photography, especially at sunrise and sunset.
The flats are famous for the Bonneville International Speedway, where numerous land speed records have been set.
The most famous annual event, typically held in August, draws racers and spectators from around the world to witness attempts at breaking speed records.
The Land Speed Racing Museum is located in Wendover to explore the history of racing on the flats.
The two Wendovers cities, Wendover, Utah and West Wendover, Nevada, are a fascinating case of a single community divided by a state line.
They function as two distinct municipalities, each governed by the laws and tax structures of their respective states.
At Wendover, Utah/Nevada towns offer a few things to see:
Wendover Airfield: A historic World War II Army Air Field where the crews for the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombing missions were trained. It now features an active airport and a museum.
Casinos: West Wendover, Nevada, offers casinos and lodging.
Wendover Will: A historic, iconic large neon sign of a cowboy.
When driving about 25 miles east of Wendover you can see from I-80 the Tree of Utah, a unique, 87-foot-tall abstract art sculpture.
Final Thoughts:
The Bonneville Salt Flats are a phenomenal, vast white expanse in the Utah desert famous as the site of world land speed record attempts and stunning, surreal photography.
Additional Pictures:
Comments
Post a Comment