Salvation Mountain, Free One of a Kind Monument in Niland, CA

Salvation Mountain is a colorful, unique monument that represents a small glimmer of hope, a message of love in an otherwise hopeless place, and proof that nothing is impossible if you set your mind to it. About 30 minutes drive from Bombay Beach, Salton Sea, Salvation Mountain is a scene straight out of Willy Wonka with colorful mountain, elaborate caves, and messages of love. It’s definitely worth a visit if you love unique art. It is also right next door to Slab City/East Jesus, so don’t forget to swing by thereafter.

STATS:

Where:
Salvation Mountain – Beal Rd, Calipatria, CA 92233
Coordinates: N 33° 15.253′ W 115° 28.357′

Hours:
From dawn until dusk, 365 days a year

Elevation: 
223 feet below sea level

Parking:
Parking around the Mountain is allowed. Please stay in marked areas and respect any painted or display areas by at least 10 feet. You can park outside the site anywhere you feel it is safe for you to do so.

Dogs allowed:
Yes, but on a leash.

Admission:
Free, but donations are accepted (cash and latex paint).

Disclaimer: Please make sure to respect the art, the local community, and obey the speed limit. No alcohol or drugs on the site. Keep pets on a leash and clean up after them. No camping on any part of the mountain. The most important thing is to only walk in dedicated areas. DO NOT SIT OR WALK ON ANY OTHER PAINTED PLACES. 

HISTORY:

Salvation Mountain is the result of 25 years of the hard and tireless work of one man, full of many failed attempts and uphill struggles. Endless amounts of adobe clay, well over 100,000 gallons of paint, thousands of hay bales, and unwavering determination to create something so colorful in a world of black and white. The mountain has been featured on The Discovery Chanel, Ripley’s Believe It or Not, and National Geographic. It is a strange place built by a very interesting man.

Salvation Mountain is located in a remote area near Niland, CA, between the Salton Sea and the Chocolate Mountains, right next to a place called Slab City. It is somewhere between a work of art and a leap of faith. But to Leonard, it was his mission in life. He built it to spread the word of the bible. Its verses painted onto bright blue paint that cascades down the mountain like waterfalls. Mix that with a large painted lake and tons of handmade flowers and you can’t help but appreciate his dedication.

Leonard used his clay, hay bales, and random things he found in the desert to promote the message that “God is Love”. I don’t think that it matters what denomination you have or if you have any beliefs at all, this place is a masterpiece that can be enjoyed by everyone. You can read more about the full history of Salvation Mountain and the lifetime work of Leonard Knight here.

THE ADVENTURE:

To get to Salvation Mountain, you need to drive into the small town of Niland. You then turn left on Main Street. From there, it is a 3.2-mile drive that seems to take you out to the middle of nowhere. There is some signage on the way out that will reassure you that you are on the right path. All of a sudden, the horizon will start to become a lot more colorful as Leonard Knight’s masterpiece creeps into view. Next thing you know, your vision is flooded with vibrant, psychedelic pops of bright colored scenery. It is a stark contrast to the dry, brown canvas it’s sitting on. 

  
The closer you get to the mountain, the more impressive it looks. It’s hard to believe that it all was achieved by one man! There is plenty of parking at the base of the mountain. There usually are volunteers sitting at the little table in front of the mountain to answer your questions. Because of the harsh weather, the mountain requires almost daily maintenance. The care-keeper repaints a section of the mountain each day to keep the mountain bright and vibrant. 

  
You can walk along the yellow brick road to go around the mountain. All the other sections are off-limits. There is a dirt trail to the left of the mountain that will lead you to the top where the white cross is. From there, you’ll have an expansive view of Salvation Mountain and all the surrounding areas. 

  
Leonard’s last creation, the museum, is attached to the right-hand side of the main mountain. Once you walk through the entryway, it feels like you’re walking into the colorful world of Dr. Seuss. Twisted, intertwined branches, child-like hand-painted flowers with little nooks and crannies give you that feeling of stepping completely into another world. You kind of half expecting to crawl through a rabbit hole to a different dimension. The details that went into this project is impressive. The trees were made out of car tires. The branches were made out of whatever Leonard could find in the desert. The flowers were made by punching balls of clay that he stuck to the walls. It truly is one of a kind! 

  
Don’t forget to check out other cool creations around the property. There are a few painted cars, one of which was the home of Leonard during his time at the mountain. 

  
We recommend you to go visit this place at least once. Salvation Mountain is an inspiring sight. Not only because it is a living breathing masterpiece, but it’s also a beacon of hope and determination. It shows us that as long as you believe in your dream, it will come true.

Once you’re in the area, also be sure to check out Ladder / Painted Canyon Hike, Bombay Beach, and Slab City/East Jesus as well!

Happy Adventuring. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram, subscribe to our Youtube channel, and sign up for our newsletter!

RECOMMEND GEAR:

Don’t forget to check out our Recommended Gear section as well.

•  Sunscreen:
    We use eco-friendly, reef-safe sunscreen. Alba Botanica Hawaiian Sunscreen or Sun Bum Sunscreen

•  Water
   It can get very hot there so bring lots of water. You are always in the middle of nowhere.

•  Food and snacks
   Again, you are in the middle of nowhere so bring food!

CAMERA GEAR:
•  Camera:
    Sony a7 III

•  Lenses:
   Sony 24 -70mm f/2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar T Zoom Lens 
   Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX   

•  Drone:
  DJI Mavic 2 Pro

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