If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to roll across a giant, glittering sheet of salt until the horizon disappears—this one’s for you. We took the Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair to Utah’s legendary Bonneville Salt Flats, where everything looks the same, the wind tastes like a French fry, and your internal compass gives up by minute three. Between joking about a “recreational land-speed wheelchair record,” testing desert “fashion” (heels and an umbrella, anyone?), and attempting the world’s worst game of hide-and-seek, we still packed in real accessibility takeaways for this otherworldly spot.
The Day in a (Salty) Nutshell
- Real-world wheelchair adventure across the blinding-white Salt Flats
- Bad ideas (walking instead of taking the van) redeemed by better banter
- Taste-test: Is the ground… salt? (Yep. Please don’t actually lick it.)
- Practical accessibility notes so you can plan your own visit with confidence
Field Notes from the Salt Flats
Where even direction takes the day off. The surface is shockingly flat—perfect for long, smooth rolls with the X3’s big balloon tires. Depth perception gets funky when the sky and ground blend; we used landmarks (the van, distant mountains) to keep our bearings.
Wind, glare, and giggles. Expect breeze, blazing sun, and reflections that turn everything into a lightbox. Sunglasses = non-negotiable. Also non-negotiable: Sam’s “official” timing for our land-speed attempts and Ryan’s commitment to questionable wardrobe choices.
Hide-and-seek, but make it impossible. There’s nowhere to hide. Which is exactly why it’s funny.
Accessibility: What We Learned (So You Don’t Have To)
Surface & mobility
- The packed salt crust (when dry) is firm, fast, and mostly vibration-friendly for large, low-pressure tires.
- After rain or in soft patches, the salt can turn slushy—avoid those areas to prevent bogging down or corrosion.
Shade & sun
- No natural shade. Bring a hat, UPF layers, sunscreen, and lots of water. A small pop-up shade next to the vehicle is a game-changer.
Wayfinding & safety
- The landscape can distort distance. Pick a fixed visual anchor (your vehicle) and set a turn-back time.
- Cell service can be spotty; let someone know your plan and keep a portable power bank on hand.
Vehicle & gear
- Drive onto the salt flats only when they’re clearly dry and open (check posted guidance at the access point).
- Post-trip, rinse wheels and hardware to remove salt. Wipe down frames, bolts, and brakes.
- Pack: water, snacks, sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, basic tool kit, towel or brush for salt cleanup, and a trash bag for salty gear.
Why This Adventure Matters
We’re here to show what inclusive adventure looks like: testing gear, solving problems on the fly, and proving that big landscapes are for everybody—laughs first, logistics second.
Plan Your Own Trip (Quick Checklist)
- ✅ Dry-surface day and clear access
- ✅ Sun protection + lots of water
- ✅ Large low-pressure tires (or all-terrain setup)
- ✅ Rinse gear afterward
- ✅ Buddy system & visible landmark
Watch More & Say Hi
Explore the Extreme Motus All-Terrain Wheelchair and our other adventures: ExtremeMotus.com
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