Camping at the Salt Flats

Camping at the Bonneville Salt Flats: What We Learned from Our July 4th Adventure

Living in Utah had its perks, one of the biggest being the proximity to incredible natural wonders. The Bonneville Salt Flats was easily one of our favorites. During our time living there, Samuel and I visited several times as a quick escape from city life. From Salt Lake City, it’s just about an hour and forty minutes away, perfect for a fun little road trip.

We loved taking visiting friends and family to see the flats’ unique formations, enjoy the wide-open views, make s’mores, or simply stargaze under the clear night sky. But one of the most memorable trips was when it was just the two of us, on July 4th, 2022.

We arrived around 9:00 PM, thinking we’d have the place mostly to ourselves. To our surprise, plenty of other people had the same idea! Watch fireworks and enjoy the night. The only difference? We were the only ones actually camping overnight.

We came prepared… or so we thought. We brought snacks, firewood, and a tent. Sure, we could have slept in the car, but where’s the adventure in that? Turns out, that choice taught us some valuable lessons about camping on the Salt Flats, lessons we definitely applied on our later trips (like our recent Big Bend adventure!).

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Tips for Camping at the Salt Flats

Before you try camping here, keep these essentials and tips in mind:

1. Bring a Tent (and a Way to Keep It Down!)
This might sound obvious, but here’s the kicker: you can’t use tent stakes. The Salt Flats are solid, so your best bet is to bring something heavy, sandbags, weights, big rocks, or anything that can hold down the corners. Trust us, Utah winds are no joke.

2. Use a Tarp Underneath Your Tent
We skipped this and regretted it. The salty, hard surface can scratch and even puncture your tent floor. A tarp or heavy-duty blanket underneath will save you from future repairs.

3. Pack Plenty of Water
There’s no natural water source out here. Even if you’re just staying one night, bring a big jug of water. Utah’s dry climate will dehydrate you fast.

4. Bundle Up
Even in the middle of summer, temperatures can plummet at night. Bring thick blankets, warm pajamas, and an insulated sleeping bag.

5. Prepare for Wind
The winds at night can be intense. During our trip, the gusts were so strong they rattled our tent all night (and made the Skinwalker stories way scarier than they already are). Make sure your tent is secured and ready for it.

6. Avoid Rain or Snow
Wet conditions turn the flats into a slick, dangerous mess. Camping during storms is not worth the risk.

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Our July 4th Experience

As the sun set, we set up camp and watched fireworks light up the horizon in every direction. The wide-open view meant no trees, no buildings, just a panoramic symphony of fireworks against the night sky. It was absolutely magical.

But as night fell, reality set in. We didn’t have enough weight to secure the tent, so when the wind picked up, our “heavy” items didn’t stand a chance. The tent shifted, rattled, and even tore in a few spots because we skipped the tarp. Add in the howling wind, and our peaceful night turned into a spooky, adrenaline-filled adventure.

Still, despite the chaos, it was unforgettable. There’s something about being completely alone in such a mesmerizing landscape that makes the experience special. Just… learn from our mistakes and go prepared!

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Some of our favorite Salt Flats Photos:

Happy Wandering!