Pilot Valley Playa (Nevada and Utah)

Pilot Valley Playa is a dry lake bed located on the Nevada-Utah border in the Great Basin. It stretches across both western Box Elder County, Utah, and eastern Elko County, Nevada. The playa is a remnant of Lake Bonneville, a large pluvial lake that existed during the Pleistocene epoch.

The surface of Pilot Valley Playa is generally flat and composed of fine-grained silt and clay. Due to its flatness and relatively smooth surface, it has been used for land speed record attempts, although the Bonneville Salt Flats to the east are more commonly used for this purpose. The playa is subject to seasonal flooding, especially during periods of heavy rainfall or snowmelt in the surrounding Pilot Range.

The surrounding landscape is characterized by arid desert vegetation, including sagebrush, grasses, and salt-tolerant plants. The climate is typical of the Great Basin, with hot, dry summers and cold winters.

Pilot Valley Playa provides habitat for a variety of wildlife, including birds, reptiles, and small mammals. It also serves as a critical stopover point for migratory birds traveling along the Pacific Flyway.

The playa is accessible via dirt roads and is used for recreational activities such as camping, off-road driving, and stargazing. Due to its remote location, light pollution is minimal, making it an excellent location for observing the night sky.