The common feature of the Great Basin's dry lake beds is salt crusts.

Salt crusts are a defining feature of many dry lake beds in the Great Basin. These areas, once covered by water, have dried up due to the region's arid climate and lack of outflow to the ocean. As the water evaporates, salts and other minerals are left behind, forming a crust on the lakebed. These salt flats, such as the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, create unique, barren landscapes. The salt crusts are remnants of ancient lakes, providing an essential geological and ecological feature within the Great Basin's desert environment.