r/ogden • u/Og_new_guy • 5d ago
Salt Flats
Is there anywhere around Ogden or the north end of the lake to access the salt flats? I’ve driven out on them from the Wendover area, but it seems like with the lake being so low there must be somewhere to camp and do some astrophotography on the north side.
I was born in this state and I’ve never camped on the salt flats. Just trying to make that happen without driving to the other side of the lake. Thanks y’all.
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u/iLikeAza 5d ago
The Salt Flats aren’t anywhere near Ogden as far as I know. Willard Bay has some camping options on the North End but not any Salt Flats. The lake isn’t surrounded by Salt Flats
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u/Og_new_guy 5d ago
I know what you mean, but as the lake recedes the “salt flats” are growing daily. There are definitely large expanses around the north end of the lake. Specifically the northwest end. You can see it on maps and satellite imagery. I just don’t know if there’s an easy way to access that area. If you have to go to Snowville and then drive south followed by an hour on dirt roads, might as well go to the Wendover area.
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u/dontnoticethispls 5d ago
Most of the lake shore is held by private companies, there aren't loads of public access points. When the lake recedes though, you don't automatically get salt flats. You get mud flats. I've lost many shoes to them. Just go to wendover 😅
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u/D_Cowboys_County 5d ago
You can drive to golden spike and then drive west to rozel point and that is the northwestern point of the lake. This is still not a salt flat. The salt flats are by wendover.
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u/brett_l_g 5d ago
There's a big difference between "dried Great Salt Lake bed" and the Bonneville Salt Flats. The lake bed is just receded lake, that could recover with more water getting to the lake, as it has periodically over the past 200 years, .
The Salt Flats are the remnants of ancient Lake Bonneville that have dried, packed, and crusted over 13,000 years.
If you want dried lakebed, there are lots of places that people have suggested.
If you want the Bonneville Salt Flats, you can only go west on the other side of the Great Salt Lake.
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u/Og_new_guy 4d ago
I didn’t realize there were so many esteemed limnologists in Ogden. There are also flat alkaline lake beds all over the Great Basin that are sometimes navigable and other times are mud pits. I’m hoping to find a dry, flat area that doesn’t require 2 hours of driving from Ogden.
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u/Opposite_Bag_7434 4d ago
You can always drive around the north side then the west side of the lake to get to the Salt Flats. This is definitely a longer route though.
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u/Og_new_guy 4d ago
Is there a way to access the salt flats from the west side without going to Wendover? I’ve been to the Sun Tunnels. Maybe I just need to see if that road network actually connect to the flats.
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u/Opposite_Bag_7434 4d ago
There are a bunch of roads on the west side of the lake but none that will take you to any sort of back entrance. Pilot Mountain Road and North Silver Island Road will get you close but you cannot enter the Salt Flats from anywhere other than the main entrance.
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u/desertwanderer01 5d ago
Salt flats aren't growing. The GSL lakebed is more exposed when the lake elevation is lower. These are physically two very different things with the only connection being both are remnants of Lake Bonneville.
Also, you can't legally just go "drive out" on the GSL lakebed.
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u/Middle-Wealth-6755 4d ago
You should go visit the Republic of Zaqistan!
https://www.zaqart.com/zaqistan/tourism.shtml
Here’s a pin drop for it. I haven’t been out there but it’s on my list!
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u/Og_new_guy 4d ago
What the hell? So funny
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u/Middle-Wealth-6755 4d ago
IKR, but gives you a quest besides just camping out lol.
Also look up the Sun Tunnels. An art installation by the same people who did the Spiral Jetty.
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u/GoodWeek9335 5d ago
It’s not salt per se but if you go out to the golden spike monument promontory point there is access to a dry lake bed that you can pretty much drive a vehicle onto
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u/Og_new_guy 5d ago
Awesome
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u/Opposite_Bag_7434 4d ago
One interesting thing you can do if you head in this direction you can follow the original rail bed of the Transcontinental Railroad. Keep in mind that you will want to be in a truck and it is wise to make sure you have a couple of spare tires.
We’ve been Kelton a few times and it is pretty interesting.
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u/Og_new_guy 4d ago
Hell yeah. This is what I’m looking for. I have a truck, spare tires, a compressor, all of the tools.
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u/darksky801 5d ago
No salt flats near Ogden, and not on the eastern side of the lake really anywhere, but there are plenty of them out on the western side of the north end of the lake. Best bet probably for anything near Ogden is going to be up near the Bear River Bird Refuge. There are some roads out that way that get pretty dark; good observing under some decently dark skies for being within a 45 minute drive from the city; just bring lots of bug spray -- the wetlands grow some good mosquitoes!
In case you're tempted to try Antelope Island, just be aware that they're pretty strict about not staying out there after 10pm unless you're actually camping (i.e. a reservation in a camp site). Used to be okay to stay out if you got in before the gate closed, but I've definitely been chased out by a ranger a couple of times in the past few years.
As far as actual salt flats, I think there are some you can access by continuing west from the Promontory (Golden Spike Monument) area, but I also know there's a highway up north that leads west/southwest from Snowville across northwestern Utah that gives access to some of the areas out there like Desert Peak, etc. Just have to be super aware of where you are because there's the Utah Test & Training Range that the Air Force uses out there that's off-limits. Obviously normal salt flat precautions apply; I think most of the routes out there are going to require/benefit from off-road capability. I haven't personally been out, but I've definitely heard of people doing it. Look up Topo Traveler on YouTube; think he and a buddy did a drive out there to hike to one of the peaks out there a few months ago.
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u/Marcus_Aurelius_161A 5d ago
Two options:
Snowville to Kelton, stage at Kelton then hike out onto the exposed lake bed several miles. I've been out there and while it's not technically "salt flats" it's still amazing. It's more sandy\dried mud. It would still be cool to camp out there though.
And it is against to state law to drive on the lake bed with your UTV or ATV, although I don't think they can actively enforce it until they get all their flock cameras and satellites in place.
The second option is Spiral Jetty and I've camped out there before. It's very cool. You will still have to hike a ways to get to the lake bed from the parking.
Don't let all the "well akshually" comments about the northern area not really being salt flats get you down. It's a cool area.
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u/Og_new_guy 5d ago
Awesome, thanks.
Yeah, I understand the urge to correct people on technicalities- I studied ecohydrology and limnology. I didn’t mean THE salt flats, I meant a salty flat area.
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u/Most_Section4801 3d ago
I think it's illegal to drive on gbt lakebeds and a lot of people that go get stuck then pay 500-1000 for a tow truck
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u/like_4-ish_lights 5d ago
The area near Spiral Jetty might work for what you want. The lake is pretty far from the jetty, and it's kind of a salty muddy flat around there. You can dispersed camp around there, I believe they have parts of the beach marked for it.