What to bring to Bonneville Speed Week?
All of the races take place at the
Keep Your Body Temp Down. You need to keep you skin temperature at 92 or below. Wear long sleeves and long pants.
Bring plenty (more than you think) of water, no matter the season. If you're renting a car, check with your rental company before driving on the flats as the salt can corrode the car and always pay attention to seasonal closures on the flats which prohibit driving on them.
WHAT HAPPENS ON THE BONNEVILLE SALT FLATS ? Spectators are always welcome at U.S.F.R.A. events. This is your chance to see the fastest wheel driven cars in the world, the 427 m p h, land-speed record holding Turbinator, The Autopower Special which has been timed at 442 m p h and other record setting cars.
Therefore, the public should not access, swim, float, kayak, canoe, or pursue any other recreation activities in these industrial canals. In addition, the Utah Highway Patrol has indicated that parking along I-80 to access to the canals is illegal and extremely dangerous due to the proximity to the interstate highway.
Tips for shooting at the Bonneville Salt Flats: Crystallized salt is sharp. We went barefoot on the salt flats because we didn't want to ruin shoes. But those hard crystals under the water just kill the feet after awhile. So pack clear sandals or wear shoes you don't mind destroying.
I would recommend wearing water shoes like, Chacos, Tevas, or even Crocs. The salt gets sharper in the water and can most definitely cut up your feet. I took some photos barefoot on the salt flats out of the water and it was fine for a country girl who ran around outside barefoot all the time, but still rough.
Also they do have restrooms next to the parking area. There is a rest area close to the Wendover (west end) of the flats. That's about 120 miles from Salt Lake. The surface is sometimes hard and dry and mushy just below the surface at others depending on rain.
Bring water and a change of clothes—digging is messy! Bring a shovel—you'll need to dig a hole about two feet deep by two feet wide to get to the crystals. Drive carefully; shorebirds, which nest on the flats, may not be easily seen.
The heavy brine traps organic material (i.e., algae and plant and animal remains) and gases at the bottom of the lake. When the bottom of the lake gets stirred up, lots of bubbles rise to the surface. The bubbles release the gas that forms from the decaying organic matter, and this gas smells anything but pleasant.
What happens at Bonneville Speed Week?
Speed Week
Some drivers test their skills in souped-up production cars, motorcycles and trucks. Others go old school — backyard mechanics who build their own streamlined, experimental ride. It's not unusual to surpass 200, 300 and even 400 mph.
For a summer visit, we recommend a morning or late afternoon visit as midday temperatures average 92 °F (33 °C) in August. Wear plenty of sunscreen.
![What to bring to Bonneville Speed Week? (2024)](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/DFQ_x9cBEt4/hq720.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEcCNAFEJQDSFXyq4qpAw4IARUAAIhCGAFwAcABBg==&rs=AOn4CLAYvvblqhI8OdfkuR7dE9XsGiwsxg)
If you're around Salt Lake City or doing a larger road trip through Utah, the salt flats are a must. They're unlike anything you'll ever see in the area (or perhaps in your life) and are always a memorable day with friends or family. The landscape is otherworldly, and it's absolutely magical during sunrise and sunset.
It is estimated to hold 147 million tons of salt, approximately 90% of which is common table salt (sodium chloride). There is no speed limit on the vast flats and no likelihood of a collision. It is because nothing obstructs your vision. This is why people like to drive on it.
The bad news is you will likely never get all of it off. If you don't want rust/corrosion on a car, do not ever take it on the salt. The good news is I have enough experience with this to tell you not to bother with undercarriage sprayers at automatic car washes. They won't do it.
There will be a small strip of salt to walk on in-between the rest area and the train tracks. If you want to take cool pictures then I DO NOT recommend going to the east bound rest stop. Instead you should go to the marker for the Bonneville Salt Flats International Speedway.
There are no fees for visiting the Bonneville Salt Flats! The road you turn on to get to this Salt Flats International Speedway is LONG! Seriously though – it's an incredible feeling driving out there surrounded by stark white amazing views. I should have known it but you WILL GET SALTY!
No overnight camping on the salt flats, camp on durable surfaces only. Do not drive on the salt flats when wet as it will damage the delicate salt layer. Vehicles can also become stuck in the underlying mud. Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads.
To the east and south, it looks like flat land extends virtually forever. At the rest stop you can walk out onto the salty soil. When you return, a water spray station has been set up so you can wash the salt from your shoes.
When the salt flats is hard & dry, it is ok to drive provided you have thoroughly inspected your path. Once you make it out, clean the vehicle under-body with fresh water to avoid corrosion damage. If the land has water or soft, then its very slippery and greater chance for your vehicle to get struck.
Are the Bonneville Salt Flats dry?
If you want to ride across the flats, you're welcome to come between late July through October. The water evaporates and the wind creates a perfectly smooth and hard surface again. In case of thunderstorms that also occur in the dry season, the area gets closed for vehicles.
Personal Clothing (Year Round):
Mid-weight boots with ankle support are best. through water. Lightweight long pants/trousers – for sun protection and warmth during cooler parts of the day. 2 pairs of hiking socks – consider Smartwool®, Fox River® or similar.
In films, the Bonneville Salt Flats has served as the backdrop for many fictional settings such as Davy Jones' Locker, the afterlife, Area 51, and as itself in the true-story film The World's Fastest Indian (2005). Some films that highlight the Bonneville Salt Flats: Independence Day (1996, PG-13) – science fiction.
You can, yes. Historically salt was mined from there and used for food. Natives and early settlers would have used the salt for food preservation. These days most of the salt mined on the Flats is mined for Magnesium , the salt by-product is used as road salt for winter driving.
Visiting and driving on the Salt Flats is free, unless there is a permitted event. No overnight camping on the salt flats.
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