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Located along I-80 near the Utah-Nevada border is the Bonneville Salt Flats. This unique Utah location encompasses 30,000 acres. The salt flats are about 12 miles long and 5 miles wide, covering an area just over 46 square miles. The salt is 5 feet thick in the thickest areas, with the thickness tapering off to less than 1 inch around the edges. The total volume of salt has been estimated at 147 million tons or 99 million cubic yards of salt. The Bonneville Salt Flats are made up of approximately 90% common table salt.
Visiting the Salt Flats:
While traveling down I-80 from Salt Lake City to Wendover, the most popular location to stop, view and visit, is at the Salt Flats Rest Area, located approximately 12 miles from Wendover. This rest area offers restrooms, water, vending, and it’s an excellent location to view and walk out on the expansive salt flats. On the last several trips we made to the salt flats, there were dozens of vehicles, and people of all ages enjoying this iconic landscape.
Driving on the Salt Flats:
Please help protect the future of the salt flats by staying on existing roads or areas designated for vehicle travel. Please don’t drive on the salt flats if the area is wet or flooded from a recent storm.
Also, it is not recommended to drive on the flats at night, because of unknown obstacles and wet areas. This may cause an unwanted surprise, resulting in your vehicle getting damaged or stuck in deep mud.
Safety:
If you plan on visiting the Bonneville Salt Flats and venturing away from the rest area, be sure to have plenty of water, food, sunscreen, shade, and adequate clothing for the time of year. In the summer months the temperatures can reach over 100 degrees and fall well below freezing in the winter months. The ultraviolet rays coming off the salt can be extreme, which will intensify the chances of getting sun burned.
Camping:
Camping is not allowed on the Salt Flats. Lodging and camping opportunities are available in Wendover, Utah and Wendover, Nevada. For lodging information follow the links below:
Best Western Plus Wendover Inn
Peppermill Wendover Hotel Casino
Wendover Nugget Hotel and Casino
Potash Canals:
Over the last several years, several You Tube videos have surfaced of individuals kayaking, paddle boarding, and even swimming in the bright blue canals, located north of interstate 80 and just east of the rest area. These canals are leased and managed by Intrepid Potash and used for potash mining activities. These canals are private property and were not designed for recreational activities. Also, according to the BLM website, parking along I-80 is illegal and tickets will be given by the Utah Highway Patrol.
Nearby Activities:
Blue Lake Wildlife Management Area
Additional Information:
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