In short
- Driving on wet or flooded salt is strictly prohibited.
- Avoid the brown mud flats to keep your car from sinking.
- Wash your vehicle's undercarriage immediately to prevent salt corrosion.
In this article
- Is driving on Bonneville Salt Flats allowed?
- Can you drive on the salt flats when they are wet?
- Why do cars get stuck at the Bonneville Salt Flats?
- Does the salt ruin your car at Bonneville Salt Flats?
- Can you take a rental car onto the Bonneville Salt Flats?
- How to see the flats without driving your own car?
Many visitors want to drive directly onto the 30,000-acre white salt crust. While a standard vehicle can handle the terrain when dry, you must know where to safely enter and what areas to avoid.
Is driving on Bonneville Salt Flats allowed?
Yes, you can drive your vehicle on the salt flats when the surface is completely dry.
You do not need a 4WD or high-clearance vehicle to drive here. Enter via the paved Bonneville Speedway access road at Exit 4. Stop at the end of the pavement to check conditions before driving onto the salt crust.
Can you drive on the salt flats when they are wet?
No, driving on the salt flats is strictly prohibited when they are wet or flooded.
Moisture weakens the salt crust. If you drive on wet salt, your tires can break through the surface and get stuck. Always inspect the salt visually at the access point. If it looks damp or muddy, stay off.
Why do cars get stuck at the Bonneville Salt Flats?
Vehicles frequently sink to their axles in the light brown mud flats surrounding the white salt.
The transition zone between the highway and the thick salt crust is highly deceptive. The salt crust tapers from up to 5 feet thick in the center to less than an inch at the edges. Never drive on the brown mud. Towing a sunken vehicle is very expensive.
Does the salt ruin your car at Bonneville Salt Flats?
Yes, salt residue is highly corrosive and can damage your vehicle's metal components.
The flats contain about 147 million tons of salt, mostly sodium chloride. When you drive on it, salt packs into your tires, brakes, and undercarriage. You must thoroughly wash your vehicle underneath immediately after your visit.
Can you take a rental car onto the Bonneville Salt Flats?
Most rental agreements strictly prohibit driving off paved roads, including on the salt flats.
Taking a rental car onto the salt crust puts you at risk of violating your contract. If the car gets stuck in the mud or suffers corrosion damage, you will be liable for all towing and repair fees. Check your specific rental terms before arriving.
How to see the flats without driving your own car?
You can walk onto the salt from the rest areas or book a guided tour from Salt Lake City.
The Westbound Rest Area at Mile Marker 10 allows immediate pedestrian access to the salt. Alternatively, guided tours provide transportation. Tours run 4 to 8 hours and cost from $100; prices change per platform.
Questions travellers ask
How thick is the salt crust?
The salt crust is up to 5 feet thick near the center of the flats but tapers to less than an inch at the outer edges.
When is the best time for driving on the salt?
Late summer and early fall (July to October) are the best months for driving, as the salt is typically dry and hard.
Can I drive off the rest area parking lot onto the salt?
No, driving off the rest area parking lots onto the salt is strictly prohibited. You must use the Bonneville Speedway access road at Exit 4 to drive on the flats.
