When the natural dam gave way, a catastrophic flood, known as the Bonneville Flood, followed, and a large part of the lake drained from Red Rock Pass. About 14,500 years ago, waters from Lake Bonneville began seeping into and weakening a natural dam located up in Idaho at Red Rock Pass. The level of Lake Bonneville fluctuated as the climate changed. Lake Bonneville was formed around 32,000 years ago, as the rains drained into the low-lying basin.

The people in the photo give some scope as to how large the salt flats are History of Lake Bonneville The best views of the Salt Flats are from the rest area located on the westbound side of Interstate 80. There will be a rest area ten miles before you reach Wendover, Nevada. You will stay on I-80 for nearly 110 miles, which will take about 90 minutes. How to get thereįrom Salt Lake City, head west onto I-80 from I-15. There are also places to wash off your shoes as to not track salt into your vehicle. Bathrooms are available at the rest areas, and vending machines are available also. The temperatures on the Salt Flats commonly reach 110 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. Just be sure to have plenty of water and sunscreen. There really is no limit as to how long you’re there. If you find yourself around Salt Lake City and you have 4 hours of free time, I would highly encourage a trip out to the Bonneville Salt Flats.

The land is so flat for so far that it is even possible to see the curvature of the Earth. Much of the table salt that people have on their tables comes from the Bonneville Salt Flats.The salt flats is also home to the Bonneville Speedway, which opened in 1911, and holds several land speed records. The Bonneville Salt Flats are remnants of Lake Bonneville, which at one time covered one-third of the state of Utah, including small parts of Nevada and Idaho.

Camping in the bonneville salt flats