Bonneville Salt Flats Lake

Address: Bonneville Salt Flats, near Wendover, Tooele County, Utah, USA (access from Interstate 80)

Website: https://www.blm.gov/visit/bonneville-salt-flats

Hours: Open 24 hours (public land)

Admission: Free (public land managed by Bureau of Land Management)

The Bonneville Salt Flats are a broad, flat expanse of salt crust in western Utah, United States, formed from the evaporation of Pleistocene Lake Bonneville. The flats are internationally known as a venue for land speed record attempts and high-speed motorsport trials.

A virtually level white salt surface extends for many kilometres, providing unobstructed sightlines and a unique landscape for photography and motorsport. The site hosts organized events such as speed weeks and private testing sessions where vehicles attempt high-speed runs on the salt surface.

Outside of motorsport, visitors appreciate the vast, mirror-like plains and the clear horizon typical of the Bonneville Basin; however, access and safe use depend on surface conditions, which deteriorate when the crust is saturated or soft.

The flats are the dry remains of ancient Lake Bonneville, which covered much of the region during the last ice age. In the 20th century the area became established as a motorsport venue, attracting record attempts and timed runs.

The Bonneville Salt Flats sit in Tooele County in northwestern Utah near the Nevada border and the town of Wendover, west of the Great Salt Lake and accessible by road from Salt Lake City and Interstate 80.

• Surface conditions: The flats are a remnant of prehistoric Lake Bonneville, and the salt crust can be fragile after rain - surface conditions vary seasonally and immediately after weather events.
• Racing history: The area is a globally recognised venue for high-speed motor vehicle trials, including land speed record attempts and organized speed weeks.

The flats are reached from Wendover, Utah, just off Interstate 80. A short drive west from town brings visitors to parking areas; check local BLM advisories for surface conditions and closures.

• Check weather and salt conditions before driving - the flats can be flooded or soft and vehicles get stuck easily
• Avoid driving on the salt flats after rain; the surface can lose load-bearing strength
• If visiting for high-speed events, verify local event schedules and temporary access restrictions