Major city · United States
Niland
Skip Niland unless you're visiting Slab City or the mud volcanoes: a 30-minute stop, not an overnight stay.
Niland is a tiny desert town on the Salton Sea, best known as the gateway to Slab City and its mud volcanoes. There's little to do in town itself — a Mexican restaurant and a grocery store — so most visitors pass through in under an hour. Plan a half-day if you want to see the mud volcanoes and Salvation Mountain.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Oct–Apr
- avoid May–Sep (extreme heat)
- Airports
- IPL · PSP
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Niland911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Niland, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyNiland is a quiet town; the main risks are heat, dehydration and rough roads.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportIPL Imperial County Airport (About 30 min south near El Centro; limited flights.).
- Getting aroundA car is essential.
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- IPL Imperial County Airport (About 30 min south near El Centro; limited flights.) · PSP Palm Springs International Airport (About 1 h 15 min north.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Feb
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
May
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jun
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Jul
Avoid
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Aug
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Sep
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: Oct–Apr. Avoid: May–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)), coolest Jan (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jan (3 rain days), driest May (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Niland: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
3 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
3 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
2 rd
Apr
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
1 rd
May
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 rd
Jun
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
Jul
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
1 rd
Aug
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
1 rd
Sep
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is essential. Niland is on CA-111; the mud volcanoes and Slab City are on graded dirt roads passable by any car in dry weather.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Slab City
goDoor to door: About 10 min
Drive northeast from Niland on CA-111, then east on dirt roads; about 10 min
Salvation Mountain is the main draw; no services.
Mud volcanoes
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Drive south on CA-111 to Schrimpf Rd, then west on dirt roads; about 15 min
Well-maintained dirt roads; check conditions after rain.
El Centro
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive south on CA-111; about 30 min
Largest city in Imperial County for supplies and lodging.
Calexico
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Drive south on CA-111; about 40 min
Border town with Mexico; check visa requirements.
Salton City
cautionDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive north on CA-111; about 20 min
Limited services; mostly residential.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Niland town
Very limited options; most visitors stay in El Centro or Brawley.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $30–60 (day trip from El Centro)
Watch out
Safety
- Summer temperatures exceed 40°C (104°F); carry water and shade.Summer temperatures exceed 104°F (40°C); carry water and shade.
- Dirt roads to mud volcanoes can become impassable after rain.
- Slab City has no services: bring everything you need.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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NilandNiland
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to Niland, CaliforniaTake me to Niland, California
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Gas from El Centro to Niland and back: about $10–15
Say or show
- Where is Salvation Mountain? — Where is Salvation Mountain?
- How do I get to the mud volcanoes? — How do I get to the mud volcanoes?
English is the primary language; Spanish is also widely spoken.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Niland. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Apr · avoid May–Sep (extreme heat) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Niland
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