About this tour
When Charlie from our BugBitten team ran this tour, we found ourselves in one of North America's strangest landscapes — the Bonneville Salt Flats, a blindingly white expanse where the horizon dissolves into sky. This 6–7 hour loop covers the legendary Bonneville Speedway (where land-speed records still get chased), the surreal 85-foot Tree of Utah poking out of the desert, the Blue Canal that historically protected Salt Lake City from floods, and finishes at Great Salt Lake State Park where the water mirrors the Wasatch Mountains. You're ferried around in a Mercedes Sprinter with a guide who knows the area's odd history, and hotel pickups are included — which saves faffing about on your own.
Highlights
- Bonneville Speedway: salt-flat horizon stretching endlessly, where speed records still matter
- Tree of Utah: an enormous brutalist sculpture rising absurdly from flat desert
- Blue Canal: a quirky engineering story that actually saved a city from drowning
- Wasatch Mountains reflected in still Great Salt Lake waters at tour's end
- Small-group Sprinter van keeps it intimate, not a coach-load experience
- Guide shares local and geological context, not just pointing at things
- Binoculars provided for spotting wildlife across the open flats
- Hotel pickup removes the logistics headache entirely
What to expect
The day starts with a pick-up from your hotel and a drive northwest toward the salt flats. Once you arrive at Bonneville, the landscape hits you immediately — it's genuinely disorienting in the best way. The salt stretches flat and featureless; the air is crystalline. You'll walk around the speedway area (modest walking, nothing strenuous), chat about the engineering and history, then head to the Tree of Utah, which looks even weirder in person than photos suggest. The Blue Canal stop is smaller, more contemplative — Charlie's guide explained how it worked without over-explaining. By mid-tour your eyes adjust to the glare, and you stop expecting trees or shadows. The final stop at Great Salt Lake State Park is gentler, more reflective; the water is surprisingly mirror-smooth on calm days, and the mountains dominate the background. Pacing is relaxed; you're not rushed between spots.
Good to know
This tour genuinely shows you somewhere most Aussies won't stumble upon alone. The Bonneville Flats are worth the trip — utterly alien, historically odd, and visually striking. Small-group travel in a comfortable van beats fighting for coach-tour elbow room, and a knowledgeable guide adds layers you'd miss solo. Hotel pickup is a genuine convenience.
The salt flats are exposed; bring sunscreen and a hat — the reflection is intense. Walking is minimal but the ground is uneven salt, so wear proper shoes. The landscape is stark; if you want greenery or bustling towns, this isn't it. Peak heat is brutal in summer. Gratuities aren't included, though optional. Personal expenses, meals, and souvenirs are separate costs.
Suitable for most fitness levels (no heavy hiking). Bottled water and binoculars are provided. Infant seats available if needed; service animals okay. Book early in cooler months (Oct–April) to avoid extreme heat.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.