BLM warns against driving on wet Bonneville Salt Flats following recent damage

TOOELE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — Following recent damage left behind by a car at the Bonneville Salt Flats, the Utah Bureau of Land Management is reminding the public not to drive on the salt flats when the surface is wet.

Photos taken earlier today and posted by BLM Utah show fresh damage from vehicles that were driving on the wet salt, the organization said.

“From just one spot, the damage is clear. Scroll through to see how much has been affected. This is exactly why it’s strongly discouraged,” the post said.

BLM Utah continues to explain that when the flats are wet, the fragile salt crusts may break under the weight of a car, which exposes the thick mud underneath, leaving lasting scars on the landscape.

In addition, they said it can leave drivers stranded, with a recovery bill that can climb to nearly $5,000.

“That’s a tough lesson, both for your wallet and for the salt flats,” the post said.

Instead, here’s what BLM Utah said you should do if you are visiting the salt flats:

• Only drive on the flats when they are completely dry. Check for standing water or soft, damp areas. Touch the surface to make sure it’s firm and dry before driving.
• BLM Utah said to avoid the edges, as the salt crust is much thinner near the edges, and driving on them increase your chances of becoming stranded.
• Use the main access route. Take Exit 4 off I-80, then follow Bonneville Salt Flats Access Road for five miles to the parking area. Only go past that point if the surface is completely dry and stable.
• Be mindful of the landscape and others.

“People travel from all over the world to see the Bonneville Salt Flats. Let’s help preserve what makes this place worth the trip,” they wrote.