Bonneville Salt Flats by motorcycle
The land speed racing ground of the world, a day out west of Salt Lake City. I-80 runs dead straight across the Great Salt Lake Desert to Wendover, and a short paved road takes you to the edge of the salt. Bikes are allowed on it when it is dry.
The route at a glance
- Start: Salt Lake City, I-80 west
- Distance: the flats are about 120 miles west of Salt Lake City (BLM)
- Turn-off: I-80 Exit 4, near Wendover, then north and right on Leppy Pass Road toward the speedway (BLM). The paved road runs three miles east to a cul-de-sac at the edge of the salt (BLM brochure).
- Size: about 12 miles long and 5 miles wide, just over 46 square miles of salt crust (BLM)
- Fee: none for day use (BLM). Race events can charge their own entrance fee (BLM brochure).
- Riding time from Salt Lake City: about 2 hours each way on the interstate (estimate; check your map app)
East to west on I-80
Fuel up before the desert. There are no services between Exit 70 and Wendover (AARoads), so fill up near Salt Lake City or at Exit 70 and know your tank's range.
The long straight. From Exit 4 east, I-80 runs 36.6 miles without a curve across the Bonneville Salt Flats and the Great Salt Lake Desert, the longest straight on its whole coast-to-coast route (AARoads). Expect wind across it: the BLM warns of strong winds out here (BLM brochure).
Rest stops. Grassy Mountain rest area at milepost 54 is eastbound only (AARoads). At milepost 10 there is a rest area each way (AARoads), run by UDOT, with restrooms, picnic tables and exhibits about the flats; you can walk out onto the salt from there (NPS).
Exit 4 to the speedway. Leave at Exit 4, head north and follow the signs to the speedway, then turn right on Leppy Pass Road; parking is at the end of the road (BLM). Food, fuel and lodging are at Exit 4 or in Wendover (BLM brochure).
Riding on the salt
- Allowed, at your own risk. Bicycles, motorcycles and ATVs are permitted. The BLM recommends driving on the salt only when the surface is entirely dry, and never when it is covered in water (BLM brochure).
- Stay off the edges. The BLM says to avoid the edge of the salt crust, where a vehicle can suddenly sink into the mud underneath; getting stuck out there has killed people (BLM brochure). On a heavy road bike, a soft patch is a long walk.
- Spring is wet. Vehicle use is limited in spring when the salt is moist or has water on it, and closures are posted by sign (BLM).
- Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back (BLM brochure).
- Wash the bike. Salt residue is corrosive; the BLM says to wash it off after driving on the flats (BLM brochure). Chain, brakes and the underside first.
- No speed runs. Land speed racing needs a BLM special recreation permit (BLM). Come for the photos, not a top speed.
Race weeks
In 2026 the BLM limited access beyond designated areas during these permitted events (BLM):
| Dates (2026) | Event |
|---|---|
| June 25 – July 1 | USFRA Test and Tune |
| July 7 – 13 | ECTA Bonneville Mile |
| July 27 – August 8 | SCTA Speed Week |
| August 9 – 15 | Private event |
| August 20 – 28 | Motorcycle Speed Trials |
| August 30 – September 8 | USFRA World of Speed |
| September 23 – 29 | SCTA World Finals |
During these weeks you can still go up to 100 feet onto the salt from the portal sign without paying the event fee (BLM). Check the BLM page for next year's dates before you plan around an event.
A little history
Teddy Tetzlaff ran an unofficial 141.73 mph in a Blitzen Benz here in 1914, and Gary Gabolich's Blue Flame reached 622.407 mph in 1970, the fastest recorded on the flats (BLM brochure). In 1846 the Donner-Reed Party's wagons sank into the mud crossing the flats on the Hastings Cutoff (BLM brochure). Digging at or disturbing historic sites is a federal crime (BLM brochure).
Before you ride
- Weather: below freezing in winter, triple digits in summer, with thunderstorms and strong sun. Bring water; heat exhaustion is a real risk in summer (BLM brochure).
- No facilities on the salt and no overnight camping on the flats (BLM brochure).
- BLM Salt Lake Field Office: 801-320-8300 (BLM).
- Rules for visiting riders (helmets, eye protection, lane filtering): Riding in Utah.
Keep going
- Back to the mountains: canyon rides from the airport on our Salt Lake City page.
- More from Salt Lake City: Logan Canyon to Bear Lake, Nebo Loop, Mirror Lake Highway.
Rent a bike
Booking opens soon. Until then, use the ride guides to plan your trip.