Bonneville Salt Flats
Time Needed: full-day
Experience Type: offbeat & fun, scenic views
The Bonneville Salt Flats rank among Earth’s most extraordinary landscapes. This vast, other-worldly expanse feels both serene and thrilling. Renowned for land speed records and ethereal photography, it’s especially magical at sunrise, sunset, or under a star-filled sky.
MUST-DO CHECKLIST
- Drive on the Flats – When dry, experience the thrill of driving on the hard salt crust. Avoid wet conditions to protect both your vehicle and the landscape.
- Take Photos at Golden Hour – Capture mirror-like reflections and glowing pastels as sunlight transforms the endless white surface into an other-worldly photographer’s paradise.
- Walk or Bike the Surface – Feel the satisfying crunch beneath your feet or tires as you traverse this vast, silent expanse of glittering salt.
- Watch a Racing Event – Visit in August for Bonneville Speed Week, when racers from around the world chase record-breaking speeds across the legendary flats.
- Go Stargazing – With almost no light pollution, the flats offer pristine night skies—perfect for spotting constellations, shooting stars, and the glowing Milky Way.
Plan Ahead: Explore the 30,000-acre Bonneville Salt Flats with a guided tour that lets you walk the shimmering salt crust, hear stories of land-speed legends, and stop at Great Salt Lake State Park and the Tree of Life sculpture for photos and context.
Photo Credit: Stephen Leonardi/Pexels