I’ve lived in Utah for just over 7 years now, and I’m finally able to say that I’ve experienced walking on the Bonneville Salt Flats. Whenever I would be traveling back in California or wherever, people would always ask me about those darn Salt Flats. When I’d respond with an “I’ve never been there” comment, the look of shock and not-so-silent judgement is clear.
In my defense, how many New Yorkers haven’t been to the Statue of Liberty? Or San Franciscans to Angel Island? Or Californians to Hollywood?
Did people realize how far away the Salt Flats were? Or how little there was en route that would draw travelers? How many people would jump at the chance to drive out to the middle of nowhere to see salt? Show of hands: how many people would willingly drive 3 hours round-trip to the middle of nowhere?
*raises hand*
Yup. Although I will admit that it took me a while to really understand what the Salt Flats were and to find someone who was actively wanting to go. When my friend Nikki came back to the States, we went on a mini road-trip with her sisters and friend to the Sun Tunnels and finally…the Salt Flats.
Along the way, we found a curious piece of art just off of the highway. And by “art,” I mean it turned out to be…something else disguised as art. And by “found,” I mean it’s the only thing along the particular stretch of highway, so you can’t help but see it. Of course we had to stop and take a few pictures…until the Highway Patrol honked at us. Apparently stopping and pulling waaaay off the side of the road without an emergency happening is still illegal. Oi.
No, Nikki isn’t flying or jumping super-human-like high: she jumped off the side of the boat/canoe-looking thing and I just leaped from the ground. Although she does look pretty awesome! When we pulled off the highway, I wasn’t really sure what to expect. You can see the Salt Flats from the highway way before the exit, but it just looks like a big white void with some mountains on the horizon. We exploded out of the car and started to walk on the Salt Flats. Were we on the moon? Was this an alien planet? There’s no way an environment so unique can exist such a short drive from the capital city.
It was eerily quiet at moments, which goes to support the fact that the salt pan is an ecosystem which is unable to support any kind of life.
When Lake Bonneville dried up in ancient times, it left a salt deposit that covered about 30,000 acres. After a rainfall, the Salt Flats flood and create a mirror-like optical illusion. When dry, the Salt Flats resemble the ground Captain Jack Sparrow finds himself walking along when he is sent to Davy Jones’ Locker. I thought that the surface was going to hard, not squishy.
I was able to brush my flip flops across the surface of the Salt Flats and flatten it out. Weird. It looked and acted like snow, but wasn’t cold.
We spent a considerable amount of time walking around the Salt Flats and I loved every moment of it. While walking, I would often close my eyes and almost feel like I was walking along the beach. The air was salty, but not too much.
After walking for a few minutes, I noticed that my flip flops were getting heavier. Not like, steel-toed-boot-heavy, but as someone who grew up wearing flip flops, it was noticeable. I looked down and saw that the salt was sticking to my shoes!
Wide-eyed moment: don’t wear flip flops to the Salt Flats!
One of the most surreal moments on the Salt Flats was how far I could walk and still feel like I haven’t gone anywhere! See that mountain range just to the left of me in the picture above? I started walking towards it for a few minutes, but felt like I was going nowhere…until I turned around and saw how much space was between me and my group! Perspective is everything here, my friends. When you don’t have it, you feel lost.
See how beautifully blue that sky is? At the Salt Flats, we were far enough away from the icky inversion smog that haunts the Salt Lake Valley. The pictures in this post haven’t been altered, so you can see the majestic sky in all its glory. I’m pretty sure this was the aforementioned moment when I was walking away from my friends, but lost perspective and had to turn around.
I should also mention that the Salt Flats is home to the Utah Salt Flats Racing Association, but I have yet to see a race. Maybe this year? Anyone want to come with?
About the Salt Flats
Ancient Lake Bonneville dried up ages ago and left a 30,000 acre salt pan that is located west of Salt Lake City, in Tooele County. Land speed records have been set on the Salt Flats and is known by locals and visitors alike as the “Bonneville Speedway.” The property is under the care of the Bureau of Land Management, and is subsequently free of charge to visit.
Getting to the Salt Flats
Drive time from Salt Lake City is 90-120 minutes, depending on where in the valley you’re coming from. Most vehicles can make the round-trip on one full tank of gas, but fill up as needed!
From Salt Lake City:
- Head west on I-80 for about 90ish minutes (depending on your speed)
- Exit at the sign for “Bonneville Salt Flats”
From Wendover, NV:
- Head east on I-80 into Utah for about 75 minutes
- Exit at the sign for “Bonneville Salt Flats”
There will be a rest area complete with restrooms and a picnic area, a pet area, and plenty of parking. Please remember to be courteous when driving out to the Salt Flats. I-80 is a major artery for the semi trucks that drive cross-country, and I’ve seen too many passenger vehicles vs. semis to last a lifetime.
Things to remember when visiting the Salt Flats
*Consider the time of day and the weather. Fill your tank. Make sure your car is in working order and you’re carrying spare parts as needed.
*Bring food and water, as there aren’t any McDonald’s around.
*As with any desert ecosystem, the weather can vary, be unpredictable, and extreme. Bring sunscreen, layers, blankets, and shoes. You laugh. Rocks hurt. So do crusty salt layers.
*Don’t forget a camera or sketch book! The Salt Flats are mesmerizing and invoke an out-of-this-world experience.
Have you ever been to the Salt Flats before? Did you know that Bolivia isn’t the only place that has Salt Flats?
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