Last Updated: January 3, 2024
Salvation Mountain is a unique and colorful man-made mountain, located in the California Desert that was created by Leonard Knight. The 15-meter tall faux-mountain is built with adobe clay, straw, and generous coats of paint and it sure makes for a wonderful attraction to visit if you’re in Southern California. We had seen many Salvation Mountain photos on Instagram and Pinterest and I found myself more and more intrigued to visit this beautiful landmark.
During our West Coast USA road trip, we finally got the opportunity to visit Salvation Mountain and we’re here to report that the photos don’t do it justice. If you like exploring places that are off the beaten track, then we’re sure you will love Salvation Mountain.
Continue reading to find more about Salvation Mountain California and to see some of our favorite photos that will inspire you to visit this gorgeous place.
WHERE IS SALVATION MOUNTAIN LOCATED?
Salvation Mountain is located in Southern California, East of the Salton Sea and just a few minutes away from Slab City.
How to get to Salvation Mountain? You can combine a visit to Salvation Mountain with Palm Springs, which is roughly a 90′ minutes drive. If you’re driving from San Diego then you’ll reach Salvation Mountain in about 2.5 hours and if you’re starting from Los Angeles the driving hours stretch to 3.5 hours.
The road leading to Salvation Mountain looks like uncharted territory, dotted with art murals every here and there. Here, it seems as if time has stood still. You will find only a handful of tourists and a few locals (or drifters who call Slab City their home) going about their lives.
A very accurate depiction of Salvation Mountain, with a particular focus on the neighboring Slab City, can be seen in some of the scenes from the movie “Into the Wild”. Slab City is a community of free spirits, who have chosen to live off-the-grid.
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While Slab City is often bypassed by most tourists, Salvation Mountain is a safe place to visit and an absolute must-see if you’re in this part of Southern California.
As the years were passing, Leonard kept expanding Salvation Mountain by building a Hogan; a dome-shaped structure made of adobe and bales of straw (traditional Navajo architecture). He then proceeded to add a “Museum”, where he used materials such as paint-covered tires and car parts.
The remarkable colorful art continues seamlessly throughout the entire attraction, with painted trees; birds, flowers, and Bible verses decorating Salvation Mountain.
Sadly, Leonard passed away in 2014. Now, a non-profit organization has taken up the challenging work of the preservation of the Salvation Mountain.
HOW MUCH DOES SALVATION MOUNTAIN COST?
There is no fee to visit Salvation Mountain and the entrance is free to all visitors. However, a small donation is always appreciated by the non-profit, which will go towards the upkeep of this unique attraction. As Salvation Mountain is a roadside attraction, you’ll have no problem finding space to park your car, albeit it’ll have to be in the sun, as there are no shaded parking spaces nearby.
SALVATION MOUNTAIN PHOTOS – CONCLUSION
Salvation Mountain is one of the most vibrant spots in this part of the California Desert, so if you get tired of the endless stretch of land, then this will be one of the best things to do during your road trip.
Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and have water with you; the heat here is sweltering, especially if you’re visiting during the summer. The best time to visit Salvation Mountain is between October and April; that’s when the temperatures are more pleasant.
Have you ever been to Salvation Mountain California? If yes, leave a comment below and share your experience with us!
