Bonneville Salt Flats to Winnemucca

We left a bit later on our travel day from Park City to Winnemucca. Despite some windy conditions, the roads were smooth and uneventful.

On the way to Winnemucca, we stopped to view the Bonneville Salt Flats. Located just off Interstate 80, it was an easy detour and a necessary one.

On the drive to Winnemucca, the truck threw a little drama our way with trailer wiring warnings that quickly morphed into ESC disconnection issues. Naturally, we opted for a good old-fashioned reset, which meant disconnecting the Cookie and truck battery for a bit. So, we thought, why not take a scenic detour? To the Bonneville Salt Flats we go!

The Bonneville Salt Flats are a vast, barren expanse of densely packed salt pan located in northwestern Utah, near the Nevada border. Spanning over 30,000 acres, the area is known for its otherworldly, almost lunar landscape. The flats are famous for being one of the best places in the world for setting land speed records.

During the battery reconnection, a nut decided it liked not being connected and made a bid for freedom. Its escape wasn’t as successful as it planned, and it ended up stuck in the battery housing. The housing was too deep and narrow for our hands and tools. After some digging around in the kitchen, we found some skewers and used them as chopsticks. The nut was captured again and returned to its important role of holding the terminal on the battery.

While dealing with the battery mishap, our furry friends, the pawsome, had a blast running wild on the salt flats. We even caught sight of a few cars racing and doing some testing—it was like our own impromptu version of the Salt Flats 500.

The Winnemucca Event Center (Fair Grounds) RV park is perfect for a quick stopover if you're in a rush and don't want to bother with unhooking the trailer. We snagged a spot in Lot A, conveniently located right next to a correctional facility—talk about some interesting neighbors for the night.

This facility also boasts stables on site, catering to travelers with larger four-legged companions. During our walks, we encountered several horses and their caretakers.

The next day, we're off to Crater Lake! From the salt flats to the majestic mountains, towering volcanoes, and lush forests-Get ready for breathtaking views and unforgettable adventures!