We went in 2017 on a 2 week camping trip all over that part of the country, Yellowstone, Rushmore, Bonneville, etc..,
Lots of fun, Bonneville was the cheapest destination to camp/spectate.
The best places to spectate imo are starting line, pit area & tech tents. The runs are so far off you can see with binoculars but not too exciting to watch.
Wherever you set-up to watch/hang out under a canopy or whatever your base area is on the salt, needs to have a tarp staked down for you to be on, if you walk around all day in 1 area on the salt, you will end up “digging” that area down & when you leave, there would be a low spot.
Best to go as soon as Speedweek starts because as cars break, they leave so towards the end of the week, not many cars may be around to watch/checkout.
Big car show in the evening at the beginning of the week at the Golden Nugget is a must.
If you are taking dogs, they need shoes & tinted goggles, the salt will be all over their paws & they will get really dehydrated/sick cleaning it off.
You can camp at “The bend in the road” for free just be aware rain will very quickly make that area a lake.
It’s a blast & can’t wait to get back out there.