03 Aug Bonneville Salt Flats Rest Area Westbound: The BEST View

The Salt Flats rest area westbound is without a doubt the BEST viewpoint of the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Moreover, you can even walk out on the Salt Flats at this location. You read that right – you can walk out onto the Salt Flats and enjoy 360 degree, panoramic views. They extend for miles, and there is a background of mountains on the northern end.

The Salt Flats cover 30,000 acres of land in western Utah with, you guessed it, salt. They naturally formed when Lake Bonneville dried up during the last Ice Age over 10,000 years ago.

If you live in or are visiting Salt Lake City, then you have no excuse not to plan a day trip to the Salt Flats. They are just an hour and a half outside of the city. Moreover, they are one of the most unique natural attractions in the state of Utah as well as the entire country of the United States. For another unique attraction in the state of Utah, head to Antelope Island State Park.

Contents:

1) Location of the Salt Flats Rest Area Westbound

2) Driving Directions

3) Rest Area Westbound Information

4) Best Time to Visit / What to Expect Based on the Weather

5) Driving on the Salt Flats

6) Background of the Salt Flats

7) Things to Keep in Mind

8) Recommended Items to Bring

9) Additional Viewpoints and Attractions Nearby

1) Location of the Salt Flats Rest Area Westbound

The Salt Flats rest area westbound is located here on google maps within the town of Wendover, Utah. As mentioned above, it is only a one and a half hour drive west from Salt Lake City. On the other hand, it is a three hour drive south from Twin Falls, Idaho.

Moreover, the Salt Flats rest area westbound goes by a few different names. You might also see it noted on google or other map services as “Salt Flats west” or “I-80 west bound rest stop”.

The closest towns to the Salt Flats that offer a few gas stations, restaurants, and other attractions are Wendover and West Wendover. Drive just 15 minutes down the road to reach these towns.

Parking at the Salt Flats Rest Area Westbound

There is plenty of parking at the rest area westbound. During my two visits, I saw only up to five other cars there each time. Moreover, you might see a few semi trucks parked here. Do not worry, there are car-specific parking spots as well.

Airports Near the Salt Flats

Unfortunately there is no airport within an hours’ drive. Instead, the closest airport is the Salt Lake City International Airport at one hour and 45 minutes east. Additionally, there is the Magic Valley Regional Airport two hours and 45 minutes northwest in Twin Falls, Idaho.

As I am sure you can imagine, there are no public transportation options available from any airport to the Salt Flats. Moreover, Ubers might not want to drive you that far of a distance into just about the middle of nowhere. Therefore, your best option is to rent a car from the airport.

Lodging Near the Salt Flats

There are a fair amount of hotel options in the towns of Wendover and West Wendover, both just a couple of minutes down the road from the Salt Flats. Unfortunately not all of the hotels in these two towns have the best reviews, though most of them have generally reasonable prices. For a hotel with good reviews or better, book a room at the Best Western Plus – Wendover Inn or Quality Inn Stateline.

On the other hand, you can stay the night in Salt Lake City if you want to explore the city a bit. As you can imagine, there are a ton of hotel options in the city. For a luxurious stay, book a room at the Marriott Salt Lake City Center or the Grand America Hotel.

View of Bonneville Salt Flats with mountains in the distance

2) Driving Directions

How do you access the Bonneville Salt Flats? The driving directions to the Salt Flats rest area westbound can get a bit confusing if you have never visited the area before. Here are the two most important things to know. First, the rest area westbound is only accessible from I-80 westbound. Second, if you are approaching from I-80 east, then you have to drive past the rest area westbound down to exit 49 to turn around.

You might think, can I just park at the rest area eastbound and walk across the highway to the rest area westbound? That would be so much easier. I definitely agree – it would be easier. However, walking across the highway in this location is not allowed. Utah state law says that when there is no sidewalk, a pedestrian must only walk along the shoulder of a highway, staying as far away as possible from the actual road. Moreover, there is a fence along the highway.

Driving Directions – Arriving at the Salt Flats Rest Area Westbound

First, let me state that it is not possible to approach the Salt Flats directly from the north or south. The only road with access to the Salt Flats is I-80, which runs horizontally. That being said, you need to make your way to I-80 and then approach them from either the east or west. However, not many towns exist directly to the north or south of the flats, so this should not be an issue for many people.

Second, the easiest way to access the Salt Flats rest area westbound is if you are driving from east to west, for example from Salt Lake City. All you have to do is follow the short pull-out directly off of I-80. The rest area is not technically an “exit”, but it is quite easy to find and see. There is not much else around at this point.

Third, you have to find a place to turn around along I-80 if you are driving from west to east, for example from Nevada. The viewpoint is called the Salt Flats rest area westbound, and it is only accessible from the side of I-80 that runs from east to west. Unfortunately, this means that your drive will be a fair amount longer.

For example, the drive from Wendover/West Wendover to the rest area on the west side is one hour and 15 minutes. Drive along I-80 eastbound for approximately 50 miles before taking exit 49, where you can turn around and get on I-80 westbound. Then drive approximately 40 more miles before reaching the rest area westbound. But, are the Bonneville Salt Flats worth seeing for such an out-of-the-way drive? Trust me, the views make up for the long drive 1,000 times over.

Sunrise at Bonneville Salt Flats by the rest area westbound

Driving Directions – Leaving the Salt Flats Rest Area Westbound

Once you are ready to leave the Salt Flats rest area westbound, you have only one option – to continue driving west along I-80.

First, this is perfect if you need to head back west to get home. You can continue along I-80 west as normal.

Second, you have to find a spot to turn around if you need to head back east to get home. Fortunately, there are a few exits not far away where you can do so. For example, the closest exit is exit four. Drive only six miles on I-80 west to exit four (which is the exit for the Bonneville International Speedway) and then turn around to merge onto I-80 east.

On the other hand, you can make a pit stop in the town of Wendover or West Wendover. We stopped here after our visit to the Salt Flats in order to fill up on gas and pick up some food. There are local restaurants as well as a few fast-food chains. It was only a couple of extra minutes down the road past exit four, and we were happy to drive a bit further for food.

Walking along the Salt Flats by the rest area westbound

3) Rest Area Westbound Information

Is there an entrance fee for the Salt Flats? When are the Salt Flats open? 

I love when I can offer easy information that is also good news! There is no entrance fee to access the Salt Flats. With all of the money you save from not having to pay an entrance fee, you can then afford to pay for gas to get there.

Moreover, the Salt Flats as well as the rest area westbound are open to visitors 24/7.

Salt Flats Rest Area Westbound Amenities

The rest area does not have many amenities, but it has an important few. First, it has restrooms. However, please note that they might be closed. For example, the restrooms were closed when I once visited the Salt Flats in the middle of July.

Second, it has a water-rinse station. You can wash your feet and your shoes here if you walk out onto the Salt Flats. Again, be aware that it might be closed, for it was closed during my July visit at the same time the restrooms were closed.

Third, and most importantly, you can walk out onto the Salt Flats from the rest area westbound. There are barriers separating the rest area from the Salt Flats, but there are also breaks in those barriers so you can walk in between them out to the Salt Flats. Whether they are completely dry or covered in water, you can walk out as far as you wish.

Watching the sunrise at Bonneville Salt Flats

4) Best Time to Visit / What to Expect Based on the Weather

What time is best to visit the Bonneville Salt Flats? 

The best time to visit the Salt Flats depends on what you would like to do / what views you are looking for. However, my opinion is that the best time to visit the Salt Flats is during the summer and fall months, specifically July through September.

If you want views of the Salt Flats covered in water with the mountains reflecting in the water, then plan to visit during the winter or spring seasons. Please keep in mind you usually cannot drive on them during these seasons due to the water covering them. Winter and spring are known as the “wet seasons”.

If you want views of the dry Salt Flats and/or to drive out on them, then plan to visit during the summer or fall season. Summer and fall are known as the “dry seasons”. However, the Salt Flats can still collect water during or shortly after a rainstorm. Plan appropriately if there is inclement weather.

My Experience: Spring vs. Summer at the Salt Flats Rest Area Westbound

I have visited the Salt Flats two times (so far). The first time I visited was in the month of May, and they were almost completely covered in water. The views were quite beautiful with the mountains reflecting in the water. However, we could not drive out onto them due to them being covered in water.

The second time I visited was in the month of July, and they were completely dry. The views were also quite beautiful at this time as we could only see salt for miles and miles. We had the option of driving out onto them during this visit, but we decided not to (why? – head to the next section to find out).

But which was my favorite? I have to say I enjoyed the Salt Flats more in July. We walked out on them as far as we wanted, and we had a ton of fun taking videos and snapping pictures. Oh, and we visited at sunrise!

Sunrise vs. Sunset at the Salt Flats Rest Area Westbound

Honestly, the Salt Flats are incredibly beautiful at both sunrise and sunset. You cannot go wrong with either one. However, my opinion is that sunrise is the best time to visit the Salt Flats. I might be a bit biased because my last trip there was at sunrise. But just look at the photos throughout this post – the sunrise is beyond words. We felt as though the sunrise brought a slightly pink haze over the mountains. Moreover, you can stay for as long as you wish after sunrise to appreciate the scenery and capture the perfect photo.

Catching the sun at the Salt Flats

5) Driving on the Salt Flats 

Can you drive on the Salt Flats? Well, the answer is yes and no. It depends on the current conditions. When the Salt Flats are dry, the location where you can drive out onto the Salt Flats is at the end of the Bonneville International Speedway.

The second time I visited the Salt Flats was in the month of July when they were completely dry. We contemplated driving out onto them, and we went back and forth about it for a while. However, we ultimately decided not to drive out. Why? We were on a year-long road trip, and we did not want to cause any unnecessary harm to our car.

When driving along the Salt Flats, your car picks up an incredibly large amount of salt. It is recommended to get it washed immediately afterwards. However, it is still possible some salt will not be completely washed away. We did not have access to our own car-washing supplies, and we were trying to extend the life of our car as long as possible.

When Can You NOT Drive Onto the Salt Flats? 

You cannot drive on the Salt Flats when they are wet. There is usually a sign posted at the end of the Bonneville International Speedway stating that vehicles are prohibited at these times. However, even if there is no sign there, I would recommend not driving out if there is any trace of water. Driving on the Salt Flats when there is water present can cause extensive damage to your car as well as the Salt Flats.

That being said, you generally cannot drive on the Salt Flats for most of the winter and spring seasons since that is when they tend to be covered in water.

Additionally, sometimes the Speedway is closed to general traffic for races or other events. You are thus unable to drive out onto the Salt Flats during these times since you cannot access the Speedway. It is always a good idea to do a quick google search to see if there are any upcoming events. For example, there is normally a week-long racing event in August. However, the Salt Flats west area westbound is always open to visitors. There is just nowhere to drive out onto the Salt Flats from this location.

Bonneville Salt Flats covered in water

When CAN You Drive Onto the Salt Flats? 

You can drive on the Salt Flats when they are dry and the Bonneville International Speedway is open. When you reach the end of the Bonneville International Speedway, double check that there is no sign prohibiting vehicles from continuing. If the Speedway is open, there is no sign prohibiting access, and the Salt Flats are completely dry, then drive on out and have some fun!

Therefore, you generally can drive on the Salt Flats for most of the summer and fall seasons since that is when they tend to be at their driest. If you are unsure about driving on the Salt Flats, you can just drive to the end of the Speedway, park your car there, and then continue on foot.

Once you leave and then arrive back home, please make an effort to wash your car as soon as possible. Even if you are careful while driving, it is likely that your car will have picked up a fair amount of salt. Salt can be corrosive to vehicles, so you want to make sure it is all cleaned off.

Sign at the end of the Bonneville International Speedway

6) Background of the Salt Flats

You might feel as though you are looking at pictures from another planet when you are looking at pictures of the Salt Flats. Trust me, you will feel as though you are on another planet when you visit.

The Salt Flats extend over 30,000 acres as they are 12 miles long by five miles wide. The surface is made up of – you guessed it – salt. Moreover, the main component of the Salt Flats is sodium chloride, which is also the main component in table salt. The thickness ranges anywhere from around a few inches along the edges to around five feet further out.

The summer and fall seasons tend to be the drier seasons for the Salt Flats. Unless it rained recently, you are likely to find them completely dry during your visit. On the other hand, winter and spring tend to be the wetter seasons. You are likely to see them either completely or partially covered in water during your visit.

What Caused the Salt Flats? 

Let me take you back to the last ice age, possibly over tens of thousands of years ago. At that time, a lake existed called Lake Bonneville. Lake Bonneville was as large as Lake Michigan and covered approximately one-third of the state of Utah. However, Lake Bonneville began to dry up as the years passed. Moreover, as water continued to evaporate from the lake, large salt deposits remained behind. The Salt Flats are thus the result of Lake Bonneville drying up and leaving only salt deposits in its place.

However, you can still see some of the remains of Lake Bonneville in the Great Salt Lake. That is right – the Great Salt Lake was originally part of the larger Lake Bonneville.

Ecosystem of the Salt Flats

When you visit the Salt Flats, you will notice that there is just about zero vegetation in the area. However, you might see a few signs of life closer to the edge of the salt flats by the rest area westbound or by the mountains in the distance. This is a harsh environment with all of the salt and extreme temperatures in the summer and winter. It is thus difficult for abundant vegetation to survive.

That being said, the Salt Flats are a unique and precarious environment. It is important that you do your part to respect the area and do no harm. Obey all posted signs to help protect the Salt Flats so they remain just as beautiful for many years to come.

View of Bonneville Salt Flats with mountains in the distance

7) Things to Keep in Mind

First, furry friends are welcome here! The Salt Flats are dog-friendly. However, please consider the temperature and environment when bringing your dogs to the area. For example, the Salt Flats can become incredibly hot in the summer. Moreover, the salt can cause damage to a dog’s paws if they walk out along the flats. There is a foot-washing station at the rest area westbound. You can thus give your dog’s paws a good scrub after walking on the Salt Flats. Additionally, you might want to consider buying your dog little booties to protect their paws.

Second, the cell service around the Salt Flats is generally poor. Therefore, you might want to download an offline map of the area on google maps before your visit. Additionally, you can carry around a paper map or other GPS system.

Prohibited Activities at the Salt Flats

Can you camp on the Bonneville Salt Flats? Can you kayak in the Salt Flats? 

While the Salt Flats are an incredibly unique and exciting destination to visit, there are still a few regulations to keep in mind. First, there is no overnight camping allowed on the Salt Flats. You cannot pitch a tent nor can you park your RV on the Salt Flats overnight.

Second, there is no kayaking allowed anywhere on the Salt Flats. I remember seeing pictures going around of people kayaking on the “Salt Flats”. The water was a beautiful turquoise color, and I could not believe my eyes. Well, I should have trusted my judgment. The pictures were of people kayaking along a canal that contained runoff from a nearby mining company. The photos must have been heavily edited because there is no way the water was such a pretty color. Moreover, kayaking, swimming, etc. are prohibited in these canals.

Third, the U.S. Government owns the land of the Salt Flats. The government has fenced or marked off a few areas for storage facilities or testing. Respect all signage and do not enter these areas.

Fourth, do not drive onto the Salt Flats if there is any water on them or the area recently received rainfall. There should be a sign at the end of the Bonneville International Speedway at these times saying that the Salt Flats are closed to vehicle access. Always obey the posted signs. Moreover, use your best judgment at other times. Even if there is no sign prohibiting access, do not drive onto the Salt Flats if they are even the slightest bit wet. Doing so can result in damage to your car as well as the Salt Flats.

Bonneville Salt Flats covered in water

8) Recommended Items to Bring

1. Water bottle: I especially recommend you bring a water bottle if you plan to walk out onto the Salt Flats to explore during the summer season. The summer sun in Utah can be brutal. Consider a reusable water bottle to reduce plastic waste. They also keep your water cooler due to their insulation – bonus!

Hygiene

2. Sunscreen: While this might not be as important on a cloudy day, it will be on a day full of beautiful clear skies. Walking around even for just 30 minutes can lead to sunburn if you have fair skin. Be sure to even put sunscreen on places such as under your chin. For a fun fact, the sun can reflect off of the salt and then lead to a sunburn under your chin.

3. Bug spray: Honestly, mosquitos, gnats, and any other little type of fly can ruin an experience. You cannot truly enjoy an attraction if you are swatting away bugs from your face the whole time. Therefore, be prepared with bug spray or a mosquito repellent bracelet. I did not put on bug spray before I visited the Salt Flats, and it was a mistake. As soon as the sun rose, the bugs came alive and started to bother me.  

Photography at the Salt Flats Rest Area Westbound

4. Tripod: The Salt Flats are quite large. You thus might not have anyone nearby to take a picture for you, especially if you walk out into the middle of them. The perfect solution to this problem is to bring along a tripod. You can set it up and then capture unbelievable photos. For example, we utilized a tripod to record a video of us running along the Salt Flats toward the sun as it was rising. Moreover, we used it to take a picture of us together since nobody else was around. Additionally, it is quite fun to play around with depth perception here.

Apparel

5. Shoes you do not mind getting salty: If you walk even just a couple of feet out onto the Salt Flats, you are going to get salt on your shoes. When we visited, we walked a far distance out and were also taking videos of us running around. That being said, our shoes were covered in salt by the time we left. We did what we could to get the salt off before heading home, but there are probably a few pieces of salt still hidden somewhere.

6. Sunglasses: The sun can quickly become blinding when it reflects off of the Salt Flats. Protect your eyes with sunglasses in addition to protecting your body with sunscreen.

Having some fun with depth perception at the Salt Flats

9) Additional Viewpoints and Attractions Nearby

While there is truly not much around the Salt Flats, there are a few other viewpoints and some small towns just down the road.

Salt Flats Rest Area Eastbound

First, I want to talk about the Salt Flats rest area eastbound. It is located directly across the highway from the rest area westbound. Nevertheless, it does not have nearly as nice of views. You might be able to see a bit of the Salt Flats if you stop here, but honestly I do not think it is worth the stop unless you need a break from driving.

Bonneville International Speedway

Second, there is the Bonneville International Speedway. It is located just 10 minutes down the road from the rest area westbound (if you continue driving along I-80 west). The Speedway is an approximately four-mile long road that leads out to the Salt Flats. There are multiple racing events held throughout the year on the Speedway. Multiple land speed records have been set at this location. Apparently the salty surface makes for a good racetrack.

That being said, I recommend you check and see if there is an upcoming event for when you plan to visit. They close down the Speedway to general traffic when they host events there. However, you can decide to attend an event if you wish (usually for an additional fee).

On the other hand, you can drive along the Speedway yourself if it is open. There is a nice view of the Salt Flats at the end of the Speedway. However, it is not as good as the view from the rest area westbound, in my opinion.

Moreover, you can drive out onto the Salt Flats from the end of the Speedway during dry conditions. Check for any signage stating the Salt Flats are closed. If you see such signs, please respect the area and do not continue past that point. However, you can usually drive out onto the Salt Flats as long as they are dry and the Speedway is open. When I say dry, I mean dry. You should not drive on the Salt Flats if there is any trace of water on them. If you do drive out while they are wet, you risk damaging your car, getting stuck, and/or damaging the Salt Flats.

Small Towns of Wendover and West Wendover

Third, the towns of Wendover, Utah and West Wendover, Nevada are just a couple of minutes down the road from the rest area westbound. You might want to stop here if you need to fill up on gas or want to grab a bite to eat. Moreover, there are a few casinos as soon as you cross the border into Nevada.

Watching the sunrise at Bonneville Salt Flats

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