Bonneville Salt Flats Special Recreation Management Area

The Bonneville Salt Flats Special Recreation Management Area is an exceptional landscape in northwestern Utah, covering about 30,000 acres. This vast, white, barren vista is a remnant of the prehistoric Lake Bonneville, a freshwater lake that existed over 14,000 years ago. The flats are known for their striking beauty and have become a popular spot for car racing due to their hard, flat surface. They are managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management. Each year, speed enthusiasts flock to the area for events like Speed Week, which features time trials and speed record attempts. Aside from racing, the flats provide a dramatic backdrop for filmmakers and photographers seeking out-of-this-world landscapes. Despite the harsh environmental conditions, the area is home to some unique plants and wildlife adapted to high salinity levels. Visitors are drawn not only to the racing events but to the experience of walking across this alien-like terrain, making it an iconic symbol of Utah’s unique geography.