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    The crystal clear waters of St. Thomas, US Virgin The crystal clear waters of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. 🌺

📍Sapphire Beach & Magen’s Bay

#stthomasvirginislands #stthomasusvi #usvi #usvirginislands #visitusvi
    Who says you need to stay in hostels to travel on Who says you need to stay in hostels to travel on a budget ☝🏼

Although I have stayed in some nice hostels and tasted some delicious cheap street food throughout my life, this type of travel is for a VERY niche group of people.

So what about the rest of us? Those of us who love luxury travel and meaningful cultural experiences but also love comfort, security and convenience?

Here are a few of my favorite ways to luxury travel on a budget:

✔️Travel hacking flights.
✔️Using Google Flights to track down the cheapest flights.
✔️Booking 4/5-star hotels on Hotwire.
✔️Cruises (the newest addition to my budget travel tips)!

As always, I’m here to answer any budget travel questions you have (hmu in the comments or DMs). If you want to learn my exact strategy for how to travel on a budget, click the link in my bio. ✈️

#budgettravel #luxuryonabudget #travelonabudget #luxurytravel #travelreel
    I hear “indigo” is the brightest color of the I hear “indigo” is the brightest color of the wind. 🌬

Where will the wind take us next? (Hint: it’s one of the biggest cities in the US!! 🌃)

#travelerlife #travelbloggers #travelblogger
    7 days at sea with @royalcaribbean 🌊 We were o 7 days at sea with @royalcaribbean 🌊

We were on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Of The Seas ship, and, let’s just say, there was no shortage of entertainment.

Between the free comedy shows, karaoke bars, Olympic-level figure skating, rock climbing, zip lining, surfing, pools, hot tubs, Broadway musicals and MORE, there’s no way you can be bored while on board.

Would you sail on Oasis? 🚢 

#royalcaribbean #oasisoftheseas #cruisetravel #cruisevacation #travelreel
    My richness is LIFE. 💫 “Travel is the only t My richness is LIFE. 💫

“Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer.”

#travelquotes #travelquote #lifequotestoliveby #travelinspired #travelreel
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Visiting Bonneville Salt Flats: Everything You Need To Know

October 26, 2022

Thanks to social media, visiting Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, is becoming a more and more popular road trip activity.

However, because the flats are a relatively new must-see tourist hotspot, information on these Utah flats can sometimes be scattered and hard to find.

Visiting Bonneville Salt Flats: Everything You Need To Know

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If a product is purchased using one of the following links, I may earn a small commission from the brand at no cost to you.

So, from directions and what to pack down to rules and activities, here is everything you need to know (and everything you didn’t know you needed to know) about visiting Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah.

visiting bonneville salt flats
bonneville salt flats utah

How To Get To Bonneville Salt Flats

Even though the Bonneville Salt Flats are sort of in the middle of nowhere, they are surprisingly not difficult to find.

Drive times to the Bonneville Salt Flats vary depending on where you’re coming from. If you are visiting from out of state, you’re probably coming from Salt Lake City, Moab, Kanab or Las Vegas.

Here’s how long it takes to get to Bonneville Salt Flats from these cities consecutively.

  • Salt Lake City, Utah: 1.5 hours.
  • Moab, Utah: 5 hours.
  • Kanab/southern Utah: 6 hours.
  • Las Vegas, Nevada: 7 hours.

Directions From Salt Lake City To Bonneville Salt Flats

Here are map directions from Salt Lake City to Bonneville Salt Flats.

Directions From Moab To Bonneville Salt Flats

Here are map directions from Moab to Bonneville Salt Flats.

Directions From Kanab To Bonneville Salt Flats

Here are map directions from Kanab to Bonneville Salt Flats.

Directions From Las Vegas To Bonneville Salt Flats

Here are map directions from Las Vegas to Bonneville Salt Flats.

Depending on which direction your coming from, you will either see a lot of mountains (from Kanab/southern Utah), a lot of desert (from Moab and Las Vegas) or a lot of other unprotected salt flats (from Salt Lake City) on your way.

If you see dirty, littered or vandalized salt flats on your way to Bonneville (usually closer to Salt Lake City), don’t panic. The Bonneville Salt Flats are on protected and maintained land. They are much cleaner and much more enjoyable.

Upon arrival, you’ll see the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) site right off of the highway. That’s how you know you’re in the right spot!

What To Expect At The Bonneville Salt Flats

According to the Bonneville Salt Flats Special Recreation Management Area, the flats spread over 46 square miles on 30,000 vast acres of land.

You can expect a ton of photogenic beauty at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Bright white, dried patches of salt stretch from east to west as far as the human eye can see.

The salt crystalizes right beside the parking lot and beyond, making you seem like a stranger on a foreign planet.

bonneville salt flats utah kayaking

What To Bring To The Bonneville Salt Flats

1. Close-Toed Shoes

Because of the sharp salt ground, I highly suggest you bring close-toed shoes.

Instagram loves to show off all of the luxurious-looking barefoot dreams of the salt flats, but I can pretty much guarantee that every one of these Instagram models has boots or tennis shoes on the other side of the camera.

salt flats blue canal bonneville utah

SHOP THIS LOOK ON TIMBERLAND’S

These are my favorite hiking boots from Timberland’s. They will protect your feet and ankles, and they still look great in photos.

2. Sunscreen

The combination of the desert heat and the high mountainous elevation creates a suitable environment for intense UV indexes. Always wear sunscreen to protect your skin.

bonneville salt flats photography utah

SHOP THIS PRODUCT ON AMAZON

I love Neutrogena’s Clear Face SPF 55 sunscreen. It is oil-free and non-comedogenic, so it won’t clog your pores. I have extremely sensitive skin and have never broken out from this sunscreen.

3. Sunglasses

The same rule for your skin also applies to your eyes. You only get two eyes — take care of them!

If you need prescription sunglasses like I do, Zenni has hundreds of extremely affordable and trendy options.

4. Light Jacket Or Windbreaker

Bring a light jacket or windbreaker, especially if you plan to visit in the winter, spring or late fall.

Salt flats in Utah can become extremely windy, which makes for surprisingly cold air temperatures.

bonneville salt flats in utah

SHOP THIS LOOK ON GAP

My go-to travel jacket is always a denim jacket, as it is lightweight, warm and matches everything. My favorite denim jackets are from Gap, linked here.

Park Amenities While Visiting Bonneville Salt Flats

The park itself, or BLM land, rather, has very few amenities. There is a basic set of public bathrooms at Bonneville Salt Falts, but nothing other than that. The Bonneville Salt Flats camping sites there are considered primitive.

Furthermore, I definitely recommend you fill up on gas before coming to the flats. And, before you depart, fill up again about ten minutes down the road in Wendover, Nevada.

You never know when you’ll see a gas station next, and running empty in the middle of the desert (or mountains) would put a real damper on your trip.

Here are directions to the nearest gas station while visiting Bonneville Salt Flats:

Bonneville Salt Flats Park Hours And Rules

As BLM land, the Bonneville Salt Flats are open 24 hours, seven days a week.

But, there are a few ground rules.

  • Do not drive your car out on the flats if the ground is wet or flooded. Your car could get stuck.
  • Only camp in the designated areas. (See the designated areas on this map).
  • Do not “access, swim, float, kayak, canoe, or pursue any other recreation activities” in the canals. These canals are partially on private property “and are not designed or safe for public recreation” (Bureau of Land Management, n.d.).
  • Do not litter.
  • Leave no trace. (You can learn the seven Leave No Trace principles here.)

Bonneville Salt Flats Activities: What To Do At Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats

1. Camp For Free

Yes, that’s right. You can camp at Bonneville Salt Flats!

All BLM lands are public, so you can camp on most of them for free.

Some BLM areas, including the Bonneville Salt Flats, maintain designated camping spots, though. Be respectful of the signs and only camp where designated.

2. Picnic

This is honestly the perfect place for a picnic — as long as the winds aren’t too strong when you visit.

Set up anywhere on the flats, choose which direction you face (would you prefer mountains or an endless crystal salt-flat view?), grab your wine and finger sandwiches, and enjoy.

We love our traditional white picnic basket for photoshoots and picnic backpack for hiking.

utah salt flats

SHOP THIS PICNIC BASKET ON AMAZON

salt lake city utah aesthetic

SHOP THIS PICNIC BACKPACK ON AMAZON

3. Have A Photoshoot

This location is famous for some of the best, most dramatic Utah photos on Instagram.

Regardless of whether or not you hire a professional photographer, own an expensive DSLR camera or just volunteer your friend to take iPhone photos of you, you’re sure to get some amazing shots while visiting Bonneville Salt Flats.

utah girls
visiting bonneville salt flats
bonneville salt flats utah

If you want the best Utah salt flat photoshoot possible, take a look at these beginner travel photography tips.

4. Bike Or Ride Horseback

Believe it or not, both bikes and horses are allowed on the flats.

Now, bikes are definitely easier to transport, but if you have a horse and a trailer, this would make a super unique spot to trot.

Just be sure to clean up after your horse. Leave no trace!

5. Stargaze

Last, but certainly not least, you should definitely schedule some nighttime at the salt flats to stargaze.

You’re in the middle of nowhere. There is essentially zero light pollution. Plus, if you’re from a bigger city like I am, you never get to truly take in the stars up above.

Allow your eyes between 15 to 30 minutes to adjust to the dark sky, and awe at all of the natural twinkling lights that our universe has to offer.

What is the best time to visit Bonneville Salt Flats?

If you’re looking to see the Death Valley-resembling, desert-dry salt flats portrayed in every other Instagram post, you need to visit the Utah Bonneville Salt Flats in late spring, summer or fall.

If you visit the salt flats in winter or early spring, the mountain snow will be freshly melted and puddling across the entire flat.

Both the dry and wet salt flats are beautiful. Just be sure you know which flats to expect so that you are not disappointed.

bonneville salt flats

Check The Weather Before Visiting Bonneville Salt Flats

Mountain weather can change fast — for better and for worse.

In the one hour that we were there, we personally experienced both a dark-skied salt storm with hurricane winds and sunshine with a subtle breeze.

You can read more about our diverse-weather experience here.

bonneville salt flats kayaking

Is it worth visiting Bonneville Salt Flats?

Absolutely.

This unique piece of land has been kept practically untouched compared to other salt flats in the area.

It will have you feel like you transported to another universe, complete with its own one-of-a-kind look and environment.

We traveled between five and six hours out of our way to visit the flats, and we would most definitely do it again.

salt flats blue canal bonneville utah
Visiting Bonneville Salt Flats: Everything You Need To Know

Have any questions about visiting Bonneville Salt Flats? Leave a reply below or send me a message on Instagram. I’m happy to help!

More On Bonneville Salt Flats And What’s Nearby

What People Don’t Tell You About Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats
Pink Lake Utah: Directions, Address & What To Know
10 Day Trips From Salt Lake City That Are Out Of This World
Utah Road Trip Itinerary: 7-Day Ultimate Tour Of Utah (With Map)

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By: Indigo Sahara

About Indigo Sahara

Indigo Sahara is a full-time travel blogger and photographer who has lived abroad twice, journeyed through 10+ countries and learned multiple languages. Since graduating with her master's degree, her goal now is to make travel accessible to all.

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  1. A Full Review Of Buffalo Ridge Camp Resort In Custer, South Dakota says:
    June 5, 2021 at 3:13 am

    […] A Complete Guide To Utah’s Famous Bonneville Salt Flats In 2021 […]

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  2. 10 Day Trips From Salt Lake City That Are Out Of This World - Indigo Sahara says:
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  3. Utah Road Trip Itinerary: 7-Day Ultimate Tour Of Utah (With Map) - Indigo Sahara says:
    June 16, 2022 at 4:34 pm

    […] like to see Utah’s amazing landscapes outside the national parks, such as Monument Valley, Bonneville Salt Flats, Pink Lake or the Bentonite Hills, at least seven days would be […]

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The crystal clear waters of St. Thomas, US Virgin The crystal clear waters of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. 🌺

📍Sapphire Beach & Magen’s Bay

#stthomasvirginislands #stthomasusvi #usvi #usvirginislands #visitusvi
Who says you need to stay in hostels to travel on Who says you need to stay in hostels to travel on a budget ☝🏼

Although I have stayed in some nice hostels and tasted some delicious cheap street food throughout my life, this type of travel is for a VERY niche group of people.

So what about the rest of us? Those of us who love luxury travel and meaningful cultural experiences but also love comfort, security and convenience?

Here are a few of my favorite ways to luxury travel on a budget:

✔️Travel hacking flights.
✔️Using Google Flights to track down the cheapest flights.
✔️Booking 4/5-star hotels on Hotwire.
✔️Cruises (the newest addition to my budget travel tips)!

As always, I’m here to answer any budget travel questions you have (hmu in the comments or DMs). If you want to learn my exact strategy for how to travel on a budget, click the link in my bio. ✈️

#budgettravel #luxuryonabudget #travelonabudget #luxurytravel #travelreel
I hear “indigo” is the brightest color of the I hear “indigo” is the brightest color of the wind. 🌬

Where will the wind take us next? (Hint: it’s one of the biggest cities in the US!! 🌃)

#travelerlife #travelbloggers #travelblogger
7 days at sea with @royalcaribbean 🌊 We were o 7 days at sea with @royalcaribbean 🌊

We were on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Of The Seas ship, and, let’s just say, there was no shortage of entertainment.

Between the free comedy shows, karaoke bars, Olympic-level figure skating, rock climbing, zip lining, surfing, pools, hot tubs, Broadway musicals and MORE, there’s no way you can be bored while on board.

Would you sail on Oasis? 🚢 

#royalcaribbean #oasisoftheseas #cruisetravel #cruisevacation #travelreel
My richness is LIFE. 💫 “Travel is the only t My richness is LIFE. 💫

“Travel is the only thing you can buy that makes you richer.”

#travelquotes #travelquote #lifequotestoliveby #travelinspired #travelreel

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