Set a New Land Speed Record at the Bonneville Speedway
Roughly 30,000 years ago, much of western Utah was covered by a massive lake known as Lake Bonneville. Over the centuries, Lake Bonneville receded substantially. Today, part of Lake Bonneville’s former lakebed, known as the Bonneville Salt Flats, is covered with a thick layer of salt that has enabled countless racers to set new land speed records. The Bonneville Salt Flats are also a hotspot for film crews and photographers searching for an unforgettable shot of a vibrant pink and gold sunrise reflected off a glittering expanse of salt.
Photo by depositphotos.com
Located in Wendover, Utah, the Bonneville Salt Flats are operated by the Bureau of Land Management and open to the public. The Bonneville Salt Flats are adjacent to the Great Salt Lake, which is a salty landlocked lake that is framed by the Oquirrh Mountains. The Great Salt Lake has a salinity content of 12%, so most swimmers float effortlessly as soon as they enter the water.
The Bonneville Salt Flats are most famous for the Bonneville Speedway, which is a racing track that is set up every summer on the salt flats where cars, trucks, and motorcycles race in an attempt to break land speed records. Several races take place every season, including Speed Week, the World of Speed, and the World Finals.
Photo by depositphotos.com
Visitors are welcome to drive their own motor vehicles on the Bonneville Speedway in an attempt to beat the existing land speed record, provided there isn’t a race, film project, or other event scheduled on the salt flats. If you’re a thrill-seeker, there is no greater joy than driving your car or motorcycle as fast as it will go in a wide-open space. Please be advised that it is best to hose down your vehicle with water after you take a spin on the salt flats because salt is extremely corrosive and can cause paint to chip or rust to set in if it is not removed in a timely fashion.
Photo by depositphotos.com
The Bonneville Salt Flats are easily one of the most photogenic places on the planet. During the spring when the snow is melting, the salt flats are often covered with a thin pool of water that creates a beautiful mirror that reflects the sky. Watching the sun rise or set over the Bonneville Salt Flats is a transcendent experience that will make any nature lover’s heart skip a beat. If you love fast cars and placid sunrises, a trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats is an absolute must.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Bonneville Speedway mapped raceway area, Bonneville Salt Flats, Tooele County, Utah, USA
- Coordinates
- 40.7975, -113.81194
- Access
- The BLM generally allows public recreation on the salt flats, but vehicles are seasonally closed when the surface is wet or standing water is present. Permitted racing/event periods restrict general access; the 2026 BLM calendar lists event closures June 25–July 1, July 7–13, July 27–August 8, August 9–15, August 20–28, August 30–September 8, and September 23–29. During event restrictions, visitors may go only up to 100 feet onto the salt from the portal sign. Follow posted signs and current BLM notices.
- Admission
- No BLM day-use fee. Organized/racing activities may require a special recreation permit; event access rules still apply.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-29
- Facts checked
- 2026-09-29
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