Speed Test your car on Bonneville Salt Flats

Did you know that there’s a place in Utah where you can speed to your heart’s content? Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah can fulfil your speed fantasy. And yes, it’s legal to do that here! However, make sure to gather all the information you need to know before you go. You’ll find most of it here in this post, so read on.

But first —

What is Bonneville Salt Flats and Where is it?

Bonneville Salt Flats might look like a field of snow but a salt pan it is! Situated in northwestern Utah, this fascinating landscape is a remnant of what used to be an ancient lake, today known as Bonneville Lake. When the prehistoric lake receded, it left on its bed a vast expanse of salt.

These salt flats are said to be 12 miles in length and 5 miles in width, and spread over 30 square miles.

Visiting the Bonneville Salt Flats / Bonneville Lakebed

Are you interested in visiting the area? If yes, you can stop here to see the white landscape or drive on it; that too at any speed you’d like or your that car is capable of. If you’d like to drive on the salt field, there are some things you need to know before you go. That, soon!

Now, if you just want to take a look at this white landscape or enjoy the wonderful sunrises and sunsets that this place is known for, you could make a stop at several places off Interstate 80. Here are some spots you could look for on your maps:

• The Tree of Utah
• Delle Bus Station / Delle Art bus (an old, abandoned bus covered in graffiti), by exit 70
• Wood Cove
• Penny Post
• The Knolls Recreation Area
• The Speedway Rest Area
  Or
• The Bonneville Speedway!

The Bonneville Speedway

Now if you’re getting off at the Speedway, you ‘can’ drive on the Salt Flats. Driving is allowed at some other stops too, I believe. This is where we made a stop so I might have some first-hand information (and more info.) about this stop.

First of all, driving on this Speedway is absolutely legal. And you can speed here and not worry about not being served with a speeding ticket. However,  if there is an event taking place in the area, you will not be allowed to get onto the salt pan. (There are archery and racing events that take place here in this part of Bonneville.)

Also, when you drive here, remember that you are doing so at your own risk. You still have to be aware of the other cars on the salt bed and make sure to drive carefully, avoid areas that might be wet, and also look for signs that are meant to keep you out of some unsafe spots. And you will most probably find some salt deposited on and under your car!

Things to know before you go:

• To get to these salt flats, look for a stop between Wendover and Salt Lake City
• If you’re coming in from the west (Northern California or Northern Nevada, you’ll see the white landscape just as you cross the Nevada – Utah Stateline.
• For the Speedway, get off at Exit 4
• The Speedway Rest Area is just further down the road.
• Remember to be mindful of the other cars on the Salt Flats. They might be speeding too. Drive carefully. Also, watch for people who are out there to take photographs or just taking a walk on the salt flats.
• Make sure to look out for spots that might have water. Driving on wet salt might result in your car getting stuck in there. There might be signs asking you to stay away from certain areas, and you might want to heed to them for your safety.
• If there is an event taking place, you might not be able to drive on the Speedway. When you have your travel plans charted out, you could go online and see if your dates clash with those of the events that take place here.
• Last of all, be kind to the landscape.

I was very impressed by the small crowd that I saw on the speedway the day we were there. They were respectful of the landscape, the people and the other cars in the area (which is not always the case in places that are not being monitored all day long).

Now that you’ve seen what’s left of this ancient lake, you might also want to see —
Pyramid Lake, NV — The ancient Lake of Lake Lahontan
Mono Lake, CA — The remnants of Lake Rusell
Badwater Basin (In Death Valley NP) — What’s left of Lake Manly

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My Corner of the World