Anyone camp near the Salt Flats during Speed Week?

[Lgboro]

Ended up with a surgery in Feb. that has derailed my planned summer Alaska trip. Just wondering if anyone has experience camping near the Salt Flats during Speed Week (early September) at Bonneville? If I can get Duke Med paid up I might be able to make a shorter trip with out going bankrupt and thought I might enjoy a few days in the desert.

[nevadatear]

Check wit Jerome (dguff). He has gone a few tmes with his jim dandy trailer.

[Gage]

Grant is another one.

[dguff]

I have camped there. Kevin A and I camped across from the truck stop leading to the race course a couple of years ago and I have also camped at the "bend in the road". Both are pretty obvious locations when you see them. The "bend" is on BLM land and the truck stop is private. Both were free. The regular Speedweek is in late August but there are some events in September. Be prepared for hot, bright, dry, cool,rainy, windy weather, sometimes all in the same day!!

Jerome

[Vedette]

Yes, I too have stayed out on the Salt at Speed Week.....it is Great!
It is also FREE! There are no ammenities, and it is no place for women. But the whole Speed Week thing is not for women!
I have been once with and once without.........without was three days of fun! With was $20.00 each for 20 minutes of "are we just about ready to go yet?"
The KOA in town was a joke! they wanted $2.00 more per night for a patch of gravel in the worst campground I have ever driven into than the Hotel that was on the other side of the fence that had air conditioning, hot shower, TV, a real bed, etc. The choice was a No Brainer!!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

[robfisher]

I've done the bend in the road a couple of times. There's a couple of porta-potties and a flat place to park. Friday and Saturday night get pretty short what with all the fireworks going off into the night and the earlybirds getting in line at the gate. Earplugs are a great invention.

And I whole heartedly agree with Brian. My wife would not be a happy camper. Brutal is the way I would describe the conditions.

[milliejohn]

Ended up with a surgery in Feb. that has derailed my planned summer Alaska trip. Just wondering if anyone has experience camping near the Salt Flats during Speed Week (early September) at Bonneville? If I can get Duke Med paid up I might be able to make a shorter trip with out going bankrupt and thought I might enjoy a few days in the desert.

Why not go a few miles south of the salt flats and enjoy the Utah portion of the pony express trail?



http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/res/Educati ... press.html

There is no staff, but the Simpson Springs Campground is open year-round—it is the only campground on the Pony Express Trail. A portion of the Pony Express Historic Trail is paved; however, the greater length of the route is graded or graveled dirt road until pavement is reached again at Ibapah. The desert environment can be harsh. Extreme summer and winter weather is possible, with summer temperatures in excess of 100°F. Dry lightning storms are common during the summer in the western desert. Winter weather is often extremely cold, with snow and ice common. Spring and fall are typically more moderate. Visitors should plan ahead and be prepared. Road conditions vary with the weather, and the road surface may be muddy and unstable in wet weather. Travelers are advised to carry adequate fuel, water, food, two spare tires (if possible), and other supplies for the entire trip. There is no place along the trail where a visitor can have a tire repaired. Visitors are also encouraged to carry at least a Utah State Highway Map. Those planning to camp on BLM-managed lands at undeveloped locations along the trail should have BLM 1:100,000-scale maps showing land ownership.

Contact Information
BLM - Salt Lake Field Office
2370 South 2300 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84119
Tel: (801) 977-4300

[Wolffarmer]

Ended up with a surgery in Feb. that has derailed my planned summer Alaska trip. Just wondering if anyone has experience camping near the Salt Flats during Speed Week (early September) at Bonneville? If I can get Duke Med paid up I might be able to make a shorter trip with out going bankrupt and thought I might enjoy a few days in the desert.

Why not go a few miles south of the salt flats and enjoy the Utah portion of the pony express trail?



http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/res/Educati ... press.html

There is no staff, but the Simpson Springs Campground is open year-round—it is the only campground on the Pony Express Trail. A portion of the Pony Express Historic Trail is paved; however, the greater length of the route is graded or graveled dirt road until pavement is reached again at Ibapah. The desert environment can be harsh. Extreme summer and winter weather is possible, with summer temperatures in excess of 100°F. Dry lightning storms are common during the summer in the western desert. Winter weather is often extremely cold, with snow and ice common. Spring and fall are typically more moderate. Visitors should plan ahead and be prepared. Road conditions vary with the weather, and the road surface may be muddy and unstable in wet weather. Travelers are advised to carry adequate fuel, water, food, two spare tires (if possible), and other supplies for the entire trip. There is no place along the trail where a visitor can have a tire repaired. Visitors are also encouraged to carry at least a Utah State Highway Map. Those planning to camp on BLM-managed lands at undeveloped locations along the trail should have BLM 1:100,000-scale maps showing land ownership.

Contact Information
BLM - Salt Lake Field Office
2370 South 2300 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84119
Tel: (801) 977-4300

That is also pretty much the original rout of the Lincoln Highway. I have drug my trailer over most of the western part of it. Fish Springs is great and very unexpected. No camp ground there but a whole lot of BLM ground. And I know there is the remains of at least 2 Pony Express stations there. Probably more if one looks hard.

Randy

[milliejohn]

http://geology.utah.gov/utahgeo/rockmin ... hd0500.htm

great rockhounding out there as well, most of the Dugway geodes glow under a blacklight, which brings a whole new spectrum of rocks to go gather, and photo ops to the max throughout this part of Utah.

[Rolly]

Some people are camping west and north of The bend in the road. You avoid all the late night partying and the bend in the road just sucks if it rains much.
Speedweek in August is the big event, but if you are coming to World of Speed Sept. 7-10 check http://www.saltflats.com/ for more details.

Rolly

[stumphugger]

Yes, I too have stayed out on the Salt at Speed Week.....it is Great!
It is also FREE! There are no ammenities, and it is no place for women. But the whole Speed Week thing is not for women!
I have been once with and once without.........without was three days of fun! With was $20.00 each for 20 minutes of "are we just about ready to go yet?"
The KOA in town was a joke! they wanted $2.00 more per night for a patch of gravel in the worst campground I have ever driven into than the Hotel that was on the other side of the fence that had air conditioning, hot shower, TV, a real bed, etc. The choice was a No Brainer!!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

This almost sounds like a challenge. Should we women form a big group and integrate?

Nah, it isn't the "harsh" conditions. I have no interest in fast toys. But it is tempting to go just because you say it is no place for us wimminfolk. Some of our female ancestors hiked across the country to get where we are today.

[Wolffarmer]

This almost sounds like a challenge. Should we women form a big group and integrate?

Nah, it isn't the "harsh" conditions. I have no interest in fast toys. But it is tempting to go just because you say it is no place for us wimminfolk. Some of our female ancestors hiked across the country to get where we are today.

And some hiked across the flats in very rough conditions. ie The Donner Party.
Donner Party

Randy

[Wolffarmer]

Yes, I too have stayed out on the Salt at Speed Week.....it is Great!
It is also FREE! There are no ammenities, and it is no place for women. But the whole Speed Week thing is not for women!
I have been once with and once without.........without was three days of fun! With was $20.00 each for 20 minutes of "are we just about ready to go yet?"
The KOA in town was a joke! they wanted $2.00 more per night for a patch of gravel in the worst campground I have ever driven into than the Hotel that was on the other side of the fence that had air conditioning, hot shower, TV, a real bed, etc. The choice was a No Brainer!!
Good Roads
Brian & Sandi

This almost sounds like a challenge. Should we women form a big group and integrate?

Nah, it isn't the "harsh" conditions. I have no interest in fast toys. But it is tempting to go just because you say it is no place for us wimminfolk. Some of our female ancestors hiked across the country to get where we are today.

Don't know why I didn't think of this right away.

Here is an article about my Great Great Grand mother. At least I think it is only 2 greats. Maybe only one.

Sarah Goode, First across the plains with a hand cart

More Goode

She was single with 6 kids and not only was she in the first hand cart company but the very first person to get to Salt Lake. And she didn't lose any of the 6 kids. Lost of stories about her in the family but she was one tough lady.

Randy

[stumphugger]

And, did she turn around and give the rest of the company a big "Hah!" ? She sure should have...