Did you know the Bonneville Salt Flats existed prior to finding this blog?

Either way, if you want to visit the Bonneville Salt Flats but have no idea what to really expect then check out this guide for everything you need to know about spending 24 hours at the Bonneville Salt Flats! There may or may not be a bonus tip at the end!

1. Hop the curb and drive out onto the salt flats!

First, lets discuss the two ways to drive out onto the salt flats legally and safely! When coming from Salt Lake City there is a long stretch before getting to the Salt Flats Rest Area that makes just hopping off the interstate and driving out look so appealing, but don't do it! There are loads of signs telling you not to, which you should abide by, but a lot of those areas can be wet and your vehicle will get stuck immediately. We saw multiple tire tracks where it was pretty obvious someone tried and got stuck. Also, just note for the rest of the salt flats that if it looks wet, avoid it. Once you make it to the rest area, driving out there doesn’t seem like a smart idea or looks a little intimidating but just got for it! The second way to access the salt flats is via the raceway. Heading west from Salt Lake City and past the Salt Flats Rest Area their is an exit for the raceway at the very other end of the salt flats with literally only a Sinclair gas station. You can take that exit and follow the signs for the raceway and you will find yourself in salt flat bliss before you know it!

2. Check out the raceway!

If you don't enter the salt flats via the raceway you should still head out far enough to check it out! If you hop the sidewalk from the rest areas and go straight out there is a berm with gaps that open up to the raceway (watch out for those wet spots around the berms!). The raceway is smoothed out, ten miles long, and where you can safely drive as fast as you would like to in whatever motor vehicle you’re in! Keep in mind to watch for others if you are speeding down the raceway or just watching. We watched a lot of people fly down the salt flats in different motor vehicles and everyone was very cautious about making sure they weren't going to cause any kind of accident.

3. Bring your motorized toys!

Motorized bicycles, motorcycles, four wheelers, etc. bring ‘em all and rip around! There isn’t anything to rent (in November at least) but there doesn’t seem to be any restrictions either! Again, just be safe and aware of others that are out there.

4. Stay for sunrise, sunset, and stargazing!

I could not recommended more that you spend at least 24 hours out on the flats. Each time of day is so beautiful and unique to see. The stargazing is absolutely AMAZING! You are allowed to camp out on the flats, including starting a small campfire, but you have to bring out your own wood as there obviously is only salt out there. We car camped and watched the sunrise from the inside of the warm car and its something I will never forget, so if you have the chance to stay for 24 hours, do it!

Bonus Tip!

There is a little town called Wendover less than five miles away from the west end of the Salt Flats with loads of restaurants, casinos and hotels. So if you go in the summer and its to hot or the nights are to cold for camping in the winter there is somewhere close by that you can stay. BUT if you want to get back to the flats from there go through the raceway exit and not the rest areas or you’ll spend an hour trying to get to the rest area exit because you will have to pass them and double back. There is nowhere to turn around for 60+ miles..

To see more images from the Bonneville Salt Flats, click here.