Come and experience the Salton Sea for yourself, and discover why it is one of the most extraordinary and fascinating places in California. 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 its 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 (SRA). The meet and greet, potluck and other activities will take place there. March is an ideal time to visit with mild temperatures. Mecca Beach Campground is remote. The markets and activities are a 20+ minute drive from the campground. This campground is 50 yards from the water. In recent years, most life in the Salton Sea has perished, so there is no more massive fish die-offs, which means there is no longer that potent scent. In fact there is typically no smell coming from the sea at all. The sea itself is awe-inspiring. You should not swim in the water at Salton Sea, nor should you allow your dogs to drink the water. It is heavily polluted with fertilizer chemicals from farm run-off.
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 Robert Varga here and Dale Solomon here
*TENTATIVE Schedule of Events
Thursday, March 14
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2pm - Check-in with Dale Solomon or John Simonsen, Robert Varga will sashay into camp close to 4pm.
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5pm - Meet and Greet - wear your name tag - bring an hor’devour to share if you want @site 139. If the sky is clear, the sunset could be stunning!
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6pm - Dinner on your own, restaurants somewhat nearby
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7pm - Group campfire, @site 129, bring firewood
Friday, March 15
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7am - Coffee by Mike, @site 139,
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8am – *The sensationally stupefying PANCAKE Breakfast! Come and enjoy hotcakes and scrambled eggs, @site 139
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9am - *Hike - Bat Cave Buttes - Maybe Wildflowers! 3 mi, 300'. Hike leaders needed!
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Noon - *Caravan to Salvation Mountain and Mud Volcanos (location?) approx. 4 hours round trip.
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6pm - St. Patrick’s Day Potluck Celebration: bring a main dish, appetizer, salad, or side dish to share and wear green! A special dessert will be supplied by our local proliferator of pastries, Beth! @Site 139
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7pm - GOPS Raffle by Dale, tickets will be $5 each or 5 for $20. You may only win once, so we can spread more joy to more members! @Site 139
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8:30pm - Group Campfire, @site 129, bring firewood
Saturday, March 16
- 7am - Coffee by Mike and continental breakfast, @site 139
- 9am - *Hike Mecca Hills Pyramid -Nat Bridge Loop 5.9 mi. 585'. Hike leaders needed
- 1pm - *4x4 trip, route ideas welcome, 4x4 leader needed!
- 6pm - Dinner on your own, or leftovers together, @Site 139
- 7pm - Group campfire, @site 129, bring firewood
Sunday March 17
* 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 portable toilets and one free solar hot shower (Mecca Beach) or showers that take quarters (New Camp, 5 miles to the north, $1.00), picnic tables, fire rings, shared drinking water and paved parking stalls. There is a small store on Highway 111 and markets in Mecca.
Amenities for Tent Campers: This is a good campground for tent campers. The campsites are huge, level ,and sandy with trees that 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.
There are only four powered sites. They have 20, 30 & 50 amp service. If you camp at a powered site you may be able to share power with an RV. 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.
Climate: Average for March: 83° / 49° U.S.Climate Data. March can be windy, rainy, and/or cold overnight. Check the weather forecasts before the campout, so that you can be prepared for the weekend's weather conditions.
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 which is included in your registration fee. If you registered for a non-electric RV site, fresh water is available at the dump site to fill your RV tank before arriving at your 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 four 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; if you choose to reserve your own site, you can register here as D1 'reserved your own site'.
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.
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, scorpions and coyotes at this location.
Health Problems/allergies: Discuss any medical concerns with the event leader that may affect your ability to participate in this event.
