The Salton Sea is one of the most enigmatic places in the Southwest. It is a unique place with many hidden treasures and secrets that are not well known. It has been forgotten as a busy tourist attraction of bygone years. Today, we have an amazing place to visit and explore. The sunsets and sunrises are stunning and peaceful. You should take the opportunity to experience it before it receding water levels cause it to change and vanish.
One of the world's largest inland seas and lowest spots on earth at -227 below sea level, Salton Sea was re-created in 1905 when high spring flooding on the Colorado River crashed the canal gates leading into the developing Imperial Valley. For the next 18 months the entire volume of the Colorado River rushed downward into the Salton Trough. By the time engineers were finally able to stop the breaching water in 1907, the Salton Sea had been born at 45 miles long and 20 miles wide – equaling about 130 miles of shoreline. Salton Sea State Recreation Area covers 14 miles of the northeastern shore. Campers, birdwatchers, photographers and hikers can enjoy the site's many recreation opportunities. View the Salton Sea Recreation Area Brochure here.
We will be camping at the Mecca Beach campground at the Salton Sea Recreation Area. The meet and greet, potluck and other activities will take place there. March is an ideal time to visit with mild temperatures.
Activities include hiking a slot canyon in the Mecca Hills, a 4x4 excursion, an easy hike to the Visitor Center to view exhibits and a video on the Salton Sea, and a road trip to Niland area sites, including Salvation Mountain and East Jesus in Slab City, Obsidian Butte, the mud pot volcanoes, and the Salton Sea Reclamation Project. Check the whiteboard for updated activities info.
NOTE: This event is limited to GO members. When you register, you'll need to have your credit card ready and pay your registration fee within 15 mins. If you are not a member yet, you can first join as a member online (click here) and then return here to register.
Contact: Trip Leaders Dennis Curran here and Dale Solomon here
Schedule of Events*
Thursday, March 16
-
1:00 pm - Check-in (Please don’t arrive before noon)
-
3:30 pm - Sunset hike nearby location*
-
5:30 pm - Meet and Greet - wear your name tag -BYOB
-
6:00 pm - Dinner on your own
-
7:00 pm - Group campfire
Friday, March 17
-
7:00 am - Coffee and continental breakfast items
-
9:00 am - Hike - Bat Cave Buttes - Wildflowers! 3 mi, 300"
-
noon - Niland area tour - 5 hours bring snacks/sandwich
-
6:00 pm - Potluck bring a main dish, appetizer, salad, or side dish to share
-
7:30 pm - Group campfire activities*
Saturday, March 18
-
7:00 am - Coffee and continental breakfast items
-
9:00 am - Hike* Mecca Hills Pyramid -Nat Bridge Loop 5.9 mi. 585'
-
1:00 pm - 4x4 trip
-
2:00 pm - Other events posted on camp whiteboard*
-
6:00 pm - Dinner on your own
-
7:30 pm - Group campfire activities, bingo*
Sunday March 19
* Check campground whiteboard for activities updates
Refunds: Cancellation for a refund, minus a $10 service charge, must be received by February 28, 2023.
Campsite Amenities: The Mecca Beach campground has restrooms that have electricity, flush toilets, running water and free solar hot showers (Mecca Beach) or showers that take quarters (New Camp, 5 miles to the north), picnic tables, fire rings, shared drinking water and paved parking stalls. There is a small store on Highway 111 and another in Mecca.
Amenities for Tent Campers: This is a good campground for tent campers. The campsites are level, sandy, with trees provide some shade. Sites are shared with another tent or an RV at the Mecca Beach campground. Parking is also shared between the two campers. If you want to share the space with another tent or a specific camper, send the Trip Leader an email and we will try and arrange it.
If you share a powered site you may be able share power with the RV. Powered sites have 20, 30 & 50 amp service. Bring a long outdoor extension cord, an outdoor splitter and a 30 amp RV male to 15/20 amp female adapter plug to give you flexibility in sharing power with an RV. If you have questions about the electrical service sharing, send the Trip Leader an email to discuss it.
March can have windy or rainy conditions or cold overnight temperatures that approach freezing. Check the weather forecasts before the campout, and be prepared for the weather conditions. If you have questions about your gear, contact the Trip Leader via email to discuss it.
Amenities For RVs:
- RV Electric Sites – The RV powered sites have 20, 30 & 50 amp service, and water service. The RV sites will be shared with a tent or another RV. Bring a water hose splitter and a 50 to 30 amp adapter. The RV electric sites have a sewer connection. At the end of the campout, RV's should be able to dump at the dump station located at New Camp and which is included in your registration fee. Fresh water is available at the dump site to fill your RV tank before arriving at your site if you registered for a non-electric RV site at the Mecca Beach campground.
- RV Non-Electric Sites are dry camping sites – no hookups. QUIET HOURS are from 10 pm to 6 am and generators may only be operated between 10 am and 8 pm. See New Camp below for dump site information.
- Maximum motor home length at Mecca Beach is 35 feet,
- There are only a couple of electric sites at Mecca Beach. If you require electric power and water there are electric sites at New Camp and Visitor Center sites located one mile north of Mecca Beach; check to see if they are available for registration.
Directions: The campground is located 30 miles south of Indio on Highway 111. Located on the north shore of the Salton Sea, it is about a three hour drive from the Los Angeles or San Diego areas. From Los Angeles, take Interstate 10 east to Indio, take 86S exit then turn left at Avenue 66, then right onto Highway 111. Go south about 12 miles to the Salton Sea SRA Headquarters entrance. From San Diego take Highway 78 east, then left (north) on Highway 86 . Turn right at Avenue 66 and then right onto Highway 111. Go south about 12 miles to the Salton Sea SRA Headquarters entrance. For a Google Map of our location - click here.
Climate: Average for March: 83° / 49° U.S.Climate Data
RV/Trailer Profile Information: We need information on your RV or pulled trailer in order to assign you a site you will fit into. Please enter or update your RV or Trailer information when you register.
Photos: To see some photos from prior trip - click here.
Pets: Dogs are allowed. Must be kept on 6' leash. Please pick up after your pet and dispose of waste properly. Please be aware there are snakes and scorpions at this location.
.JPG)
Special COVID Requirements: All attendees to be vaccinated for COVID.
Health Problems/allergies: Discuss any medical concerns with the event leader that may affect your ability to participate in this event.
