Camp at the Salton Sea

Mecca, California

4.0/5

based on 3 reviews

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Added by Michael Fricke

Nice state park campgrounds with beautiful views of the Salton Sea. Amazing place to watch the sunset

The Salton Sea State Recreation Area is a good place to camp. It has bathrooms with running water and showers. There are 3 options for camping RV camping with hookups is $30 per night. Tent camping at New Camp (on the map to the right) or Mecca Beach is $20 per night. One can also camp at a more primitive Corvina Beach for $10 per night. It is an excellent place for sunsets. Check out their website for more details on camping options. This story also has more info on exploring the area.

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Camping

Bathrooms

Beach

Dog Friendly

Easy Parking

Family Friendly

Groups

Lake

Picnic Area

Wildlife

ADA Accessible

Camp at the Salton Sea Reviews

Mad Potters

Explorer

Camp at the Salton Sea

03/31/25

Mecca Beach Campgroud: early spring was perfect! Not crowded at all, bathrooms are clean, and showers are free. Limited hot water, but the temps were low 80s so the cold water was refreshing. Can get windy - use sand spikes to hold your tent. The cheap, thin ones slip out easily. Very little to no shade, depending on your spot.

4.0

Margaret L

Explorer

Camp at the Salton Sea

04/19/22

Best not to go during the Summer, when temps can get blazing hot and the Sea starts to smell. Winds can kick up the dust in the area, which is said to contain pesticides and poison. October to May is the best time to visit, when the temps are cooler. Fishing and swimming is NOT recommended. But, the Sea is still beautiful to look at…look but don’t touch!

4.0

Philip Gordts

Wanderer

Camp at the Salton Sea

04/02/19

Great campsites but close to railroad. Scenery is amazing and temperatures in winter are amazing.

4.0

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Ladder Canyon and Painted Canyon Loop

From Interstate 10, take State Highway 195 (Box Canyon Road) to Painted Canyon Road. This well-maintained, dirt road goes for about 4 miles and leads into the sandy wash which runs the length of the canyon for approximately 1.7 miles. There are a few narrow side canyons which can be explored on foot. Motor vehicles are not allowed past the wilderness boundary markers. Do not go if it is raining...

Painted Canyon Loop

Take Box Canyon Rd to Painted Canyon Road. Painted Canyon Road is a dirt road, so exercise caution. The road dead ends at the Painted Canyon Trailhead parking lot. Once on the trail, look out for markers and arrow rock piles pointing to the slot canyons and other trails. Some climbing is necessary to access the tight areas of the canyons, but it's not too difficult. The Painted Canyon Trail Lo...

Ladder Canyon in Mecca Hills

Ladder Canyon is a hike that involves climbing ladders and walking through canyons up to great views on the Mecca Hills and Salton Sea. From Box Canyon Road turn on to Painted Canyon Road a dirt road that will lead you to the trailhead. From the trailhead start into the canyon. After a few hundred feet there will be rocks forming an arrow pointing you towards a ladder. Go up the ladder and fol...

Exploring the Salton Sea

The Salton Sea is the largest lake in California, created when irrigation canals from the Colorado River broke. In the 50's and 60's the area saw a boom in resorts and recreation as new "beach front" property was available and attracted hordes of people. Those days are long gone and although the ultra saline sea is dwindling, the area has become somewhat of a wildlife haven for birds. The juxta...

Night Photography at the Salton Sea

Heading from the Los Angeles area, hop on the I-10 East, eventually keep righ to continue on CA-86 South signs for Brawley/El Centro/865 Expy, then a left on 195 East, then a right onto CA-111 South, shortly after you will be riding alongside the Salton Sea.You may want to arrive while there is still daylight to scope out the place. You may park your car along the side of the road or in one of ...

Explore Cottonwood Spring

Just east of the Cottonwood Visitor Center. This scenic spot provides access to cottonwood spring. The spring is a short walk down from the parking lot, and was formed from earthquakes! It was a popular spot for natives and settlers to gather water back in the day. As you approach the springs you are among towering palms, larger and wider than most. It's a worthwhile spot to stop and take in so...

Camp at the Salton Sea

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Camp at the Salton Sea Reviews

Leave No Trace

Nearby

Ladder Canyon and Painted Canyon Loop

Painted Canyon Loop

Ladder Canyon in Mecca Hills

Exploring the Salton Sea

Night Photography at the Salton Sea

Explore Cottonwood Spring

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