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Calipatria, California

For the best trails and outdoor activities, Calipatria, California is your top destination. One must-visit is the Salton Sea State Recreation Area. This scenic spot offers hiking trails with views of the Salton Sea, California's largest lake. The trails are of moderate difficulty, making them suitable for most fitness levels. Along the way, you'll pass unique geological features and have the chance to spot a variety of bird species. If you're a fan of fishing, the Salton Sea is also a popular spot for catching tilapia. Nearby, you'll find the Painted Gorge, a colorful canyon with hiking trails that offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. This outdoor adventure is a must for anyone visiting Calipatria.

Top Spots in and near Calipatria

  • Calipatria, California

    Explore the Mud Volcanoes of the Salton Sea

    5.0
    4 mi
    It should be noted that extreme caution should be practiced when going to the mud volcanoes. While the photographs above appear close, they were taken on a zoom lens from a safe distance. The ground here is soft and misleading. Collapses can occur, where you could be fatally scalded by the boili...
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  • Niland, California

    Exploring the Salton Sea

    4.0
    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 ...
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  • Niland, California

    Night Photography at the Salton Sea

    5.0
    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 s...
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  • Brawley, California

    Explore the Algodones Sand Dunes

    The North Algodones Dunes Wilderness System offers 200 square miles of open dune wilderness to explore. You can do as little or as much as you want in this vast open space. Take a short hike, take lots of pictures, or make it an overnight camping trip in the desert.The dunes are located north of ...
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  • Borrego Springs, California

    Off-Road through Split Mountain in Anza Borrego

    4.0
    11 mi / 0 ft gain
    For all you desert lovers- this is a must. Or for all you SD residents that want to try something new and take a break from the populated trails within the county- spend a day in Anza Borrego and include this on your list.This state park is just a quick jaunt outside of the town of Julian. This m...
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  • Mecca, California

    Camp at the Salton Sea

    4.0
    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 ...
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  • Borrego Springs, California

    Hike the Calcite Mine Trail in the Anza-Borrego Desert

    4 mi / 830 ft gain
    Open from March until October - but I would not particularly recommend this hike in the summer months, unless you started in the wee almost dark hours. This is the desert and it gets hot early and quickly.This is a former calcite mine with slot canyons, great rock formations and some shady areas ...
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  • San Diego County, California

    Exploring Anza Borrego's Wind Caves

    4.8
    The drive to the caves is pretty lengthy, so be prepared.First you will drive through Anza Borrego State Park on Highway 78, then on a Split Mountain road which eventually turns into gravel road, and you need to look out for the entrance to the wash-road (which if you like to off road, is a perfe...
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  • Borrego Springs, California

    The Slot

    4.7
    2.2 mi / 266 ft gain
    Hiking The Slot From the parking lot, you will take the trail into the canyon that is directly in front of you. This will be the hardest and steepest part of the hike. There are no trail markers for the Slot. You can take the trail to the right of the parking lot very briefly, but make sure or y...
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  • San Diego County, California

    Hike Canyon Sin Nombre

    4.0
    5 mi / 750 ft gain
    This slot canyon hike is found deep in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in Canyon Sin Nombre. If you have a suitable 4WD vehicle you can drive about 2.2 miles to the start of the slot otherwise you can hike down the sandy unpaved road. The entrance will be on your left and marked by metal posts...
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  • Borrego Springs, California

    Catch a Sunset at Fonts Point

    4.0
    4 mi
    The best time to go to Fonts point is right before the sun sets. It is located in the desert, so be sure to dress warmly and bring a blanket or two.In order to get to Fonts Point, you'll have to drive through roughly 4 miles of sand and rocks. 4x4 is strongly recommended, but keep an eye on road ...
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  • Mecca, California

    Hike the Ladder Canyon/Painted Canyon Loop

    5.0
    4 mi / 2215 ft gain
    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 f...
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  • Riverside County, California

    Night Hike Painted Canyon

    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...
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  • Mecca, California

    Big Painted Canyon

    3.61 mi / 541 ft gain
    Big Painted Canyon is an out-and-back trail that takes you past scenic surroundings located near Mecca, California.
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  • Mecca, California

    Hike Ladder Canyon in Mecca Hills

    5.0
    4.5 mi / 990 ft gain
    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 follow the trail from here. There will b...
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  • San Diego County, California

    Hike to Mountain Palm Springs, Anza Borrego SP

    3 mi / 350 ft gain
    At first glance the Anza-Borrego desert appears lifeless, a wasteland of rocky plain peaks rising up from Carrizo Plains covered in Cholla cactus and Ocotillo. But one of the surprises is a mirage of California fan palm groves hidden in a series of canyons.The Mountain Palm Springs oasis loop is ...
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Camping and Lodging in Calipatria

Guides, Insights and Stories from Calipatria

California's Skeleton in the Closet: The Salton Sea

California's Skeleton in the Closet: The Salton Sea

Josiah Roe