The Silver Island Mountains Backcountry Byway is a 54 mile long loop around
the Silver Island Mountains and through Utah's Great Basin. The loop also
provides access to explore the historic Hastings cutoff of the California
National Historic Trail (made infamous by the Donner-Reed party of 1846).

The Silver Island Mountains Backcountry Byway is a 54 mile long loop around the Silver Island Mountains and through Utah's Great Basin. The loop also provides access to explore the historic Hastings cutoff of the California National Historic Trail (made infamous by the Donner-Reed party of 1846).

Bird's eye view of the park

Silver Island Mountains Backcountry Byway (BCB)

The Bonneville Salt Flats are one of Earth's most unique landforms. The salt
flats are about 12 miles long and 5 miles wide and are comprised mostly of
sodium chloride, or table salt. Located 120 miles west of Salt Lake City in
Tooele County, Utah, the salt flats are a 30,000 acre expanse of hard, white
salt crust on the western edge of the Great Salt Lake Basin in Utah. Like the
Great Salt Lake, the Salt Flats are a remnant of Lake Bonneville, which
covered over one-third of Utah from 10,000 to 32,000 years ago. The salt flats
are on the National Register of Historic Places, are designated as an Area of
Critical Environmental Concern, and are managed as a Special Recreation
Management Area.

The salt flats are generally open to the public for recreational purposes.
Motor vehicle use is limited by seasonal closure during the spring when the
salt is moist or has standing water on the surface. Closure dates may vary and
will be posted by sign.

The salt flats are used for land speed racing, archery competitions, running
races, photography, videography, and scientific research projects. Public
wishing to utilize the salt flats for these purposes need a special recreation
or film permit from the BLM Salt Lake Field Office.

#### **2026 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - Exclusive Use Dates **

The Bureau of Land Management, Salt Lake Field Office administers recreational
and commercial events on the Bonneville Salt Flats to protect its unique
natural resources. Please adhere to event host guidance for restricted areas.

During permitted racing and private events in 2026, the salt flats will be
temporarily closed to general access to support event safety and resource
protection.

**2026 Event Periods:**  
• June 25 – July 1 | USFRA – Test and Tune  
• July 7 – July 13 | ECTA – Bonneville Mile  
• July 27 – August 8 | SCTA – Speed Week  
• August 9 – August 15 | Private Event  
• August 20 – August 28 | Motorcycle Speed Trials  
• August 30 – September 8 | USFRA – World of Speed  
• September 23 – September 29 | SCTA – World Finals

During these times, access beyond designated areas will be limited. Visitors
may still travel up to 100 feet onto the salt from the portal sign without
paying the entrance fee.

We encourage visitors to plan ahead, check event schedules before traveling,
and help us protect this iconic landscape.

The Bonneville Salt Flats are one of Earth's most unique landforms. The salt flats are about 12 miles long and 5 miles wide and are comprised mostly of sodium chloride, or table salt. Located 120 miles west of Salt Lake City in Tooele County, Utah, the salt flats are a 30,000 acre expanse of hard, white salt crust on the western edge of the Great Salt Lake Basin in Utah. Like the Great Salt Lake, the Salt Flats are a remnant of Lake Bonneville, which covered over one-third of Utah from 10,000 to 32,000 years ago. The salt flats are on the National Register of Historic Places, are designated as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern, and are managed as a Special Recreation Management Area.  The salt flats are generally open to the public for recreational purposes. Motor vehicle use is limited by seasonal closure during the spring when the salt is moist or has standing water on the surface. Closure dates may vary and will be posted by sign.  The salt flats are used for land speed racing, archery competitions, running races, photography, videography, and scientific research projects. Public wishing to utilize the salt flats for these purposes need a special recreation or film permit from the BLM Salt Lake Field Office.  <h4>**2026 SCHEDULE OF EVENTS - Exclusive Use Dates **</h4>The Bureau of Land Management, Salt Lake Field Office administers recreational and commercial events on the Bonneville Salt Flats to protect its unique natural resources. Please adhere to event host guidance for restricted areas.During permitted racing and private events in 2026, the salt flats will be temporarily closed to general access to support event safety and resource protection.2026 Event Periods: • June 25 – July 1 | USFRA – Test and Tune • July 7 – July 13 | ECTA – Bonneville Mile • July 27 – August 8 | SCTA – Speed Week • August 9 – August 15 | Private Event • August 20 – August 28 | Motorcycle Speed Trials • August 30 – September 8 | USFRA – World of Speed • September 23 – September 29 | SCTA – World FinalsDuring these times, access beyond designated areas will be limited. Visitors may still travel up to 100 feet onto the salt from the portal sign without paying the entrance fee.We encourage visitors to plan ahead, check event schedules before traveling, and help us protect this iconic landscape.

No fee for day-use. Contact the Salt Lake Field Office for information about
events requiring a Special Recreation Permit

Silver Island Mountains Backcountry Byway (BCB)

Directions

Reviews

Nearby Parks

Bonneville Salt Flats Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA)