Major city · United States
Slab City
Go for one night, not a base: a self-contained off-grid camp with no water, power or services, 3 h from San Diego and 1 h from the Salton Sea.
Slab City is a squatter settlement on the concrete foundations of a WWII Marine camp near the Salton Sea, in Imperial County, California. There is no running water, electricity, sewer or trash pickup, and no potable water on site. Most visitors come for one night to see Salvation Mountain and East Jesus, then leave. Winter (November–March) is the only comfortable season; summer heat is dangerous.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- avoid Jun–Sep (extreme heat, 40–48 °C (104–118 °F))avoid Jun–Sep (extreme heat, 104–118 °F (40–48 °C))
- Airports
- SAN · PSP · LAX
- Nights
- 1
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.
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 Slab City911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison control1-800-222-1222
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 Slab City, 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
- SafetyNot a normal tourist destination.
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 · 1-800-222-1222 Poison control
- 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.
- AirportSAN San Diego International (About 3 h by car via I-8 and CA-111; the closest large airport.).
- Getting aroundBicycles are the best way to move between camps.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–30
- Budget bedFree squat plot (own tent or RV), a night, per personUS$0
- Mid-range bedPaid camp site (California Ponderosa), a night, per roomUS$60
- High-end bedPaid camp site (California Ponderosa), a night, per roomUS$90
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$20 · Mid US$50 · High US$90
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
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
- SAN San Diego International (About 3 h by car via I-8 and CA-111; the closest large airport.) · PSP Palm Springs International (About 1 h 30 min by car via CA-111 south.) · LAX Los Angeles International (About 3 h 30 min by car; long drive, no direct transit.)
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
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
Avoid
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
Jul
Avoid
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
Aug
Avoid
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
Sep
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Oct
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Nov
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Dec
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Best: Nov–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)), coolest Jan (6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C) low), wettest Jan (3 rain days), driest May (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Slab City: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
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)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
3 rd
Feb
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
2 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Jun
41°C (106°F)106°F (41°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Jul
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
1 rd
Aug
43°C (109°F)109°F (43°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
1 rd
Sep
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Oct
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Nov
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
2 rd
Dec
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
3 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
Bicycles are the best way to move between camps. If you drive, go very slowly — dogs and loose sand. Walking into Niland for basic amenities takes a little over an hour; do not walk the Slabs at night. Some residents organise carpool runs to Niland, Brawley or Indio for gas money.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Niland
goDoor to door: About 15 min by car
Beal Road west, then CA-111
Closest gas station, basic amenities and the paved approach road.
Salton City
goDoor to door: About 1 h
CA-111 north along the west shore
Fuel, food and a look at the shrinking Salton Sea.
Brawley
goDoor to door: About 1 h
CA-111 south, then CA-78 east
Supermarkets and hardware — stock up before you camp.
Calipatria
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
CA-111 south
Small town; useful for fuel and a break, little else.
Joshua Tree National Park
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
CA-111 north, then I-10 east
Too far to combine with a Slab City night; sleep nearby.
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.
Free squat plot
Most people camp on an unoccupied slab. No water, power or toilets; leave no trace and carry out all trash.
California Ponderosa
Paid camp on Coachella Canal Rd with breakfast; chili night and jam session on Tuesdays. Book ahead.
Slab City Hostel
Paid hostel bed; reported good cell reception. Check availability before you drive out.
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
- $20–40 excl. bed (own water, own food, free squat)
- Mid
- $40–80 excl. bed (paid camp, meals on site)
- High
- $80+ excl. bed (paid camp, meals out in Niland or Brawley)
Trip budget
| Paid camp site (California Ponderosa)1 × 1 night × US$60 | US$60 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$50 | US$100 |
| Water, 5 gallons per person per day2 × US$5 | US$10 |
| Fuel, Niland to Slab City and back1 × US$10 | US$10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$21 |
| Trip total≈ US$116 per person per day, bed included | US$231 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; fuel and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Water, 5 gallons per person per day | $3–8 |
| Cheeseburger and an ice cream float at The Wranglers Roost | $10–18 |
| Frozen dessert at the Dome and Welcome Center | $5–10 |
| Fuel, per gallon in Niland | $4–6 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No potable water on site: bring 5 gallons (19 L) per person per day, more in summer.
- Do not take water from either canal — it is agricultural run-off, high in pesticides, and the north canal is fenced and dangerous.
- Do not walk around at night, and do not knock on or enter a squat you do not know.
- Police drive through regularly; a locked RV door is safer than a fence.
- Cell and internet service is poor — radio-link ISPs with high packet loss.
- Summer heat is a genuine hazard; 48 °C (118 °F) is possible.Summer heat is a genuine hazard; 118 °F (48 °C) is possible.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Poison control
- 1-800-222-1222
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Slab CitySlab City
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Take me to this address, pleaseTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Poison control1-800-222-1222
Embassy
No consulates in the area; nearest are in San Diego and Los Angeles. Check your country's embassy list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Drive, San Diego to Slab City: about 3 h via I-8 and CA-111
- Drive, Palm Springs to Slab City: about 1 h 30 min via CA-111 south
- Walk, Slab City to Niland: a little over 1 h
Say or show
- Where is the nearest water? — Where is the nearest water?
- Is there a fee? — Is there a fee?
- Can I camp here? — Can I camp here?
- Where is the nearest gas station? — Where is the nearest gas station?
- I need help — I need help
- Thank you — Thank you
No potable water, power or phone signal on site. Bring 5 gallons (19 L) of water per person per day and a paper map.
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 Slab City. 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: Nov–Mar · avoid Jun–Sep (extreme heat, 40–48 °C) · month by month →
- 3 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for SAN and PSP: last-mile drive times, fuel stops in Niland and Brawley, and a no-signal fallback.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Salvation Mountain, East Jesus, The Range and the hot springs.
- Place pages with verified access rules (Salvation Mountain, East Jesus, The Range) and eat pages with opening days.
- Heat and water fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialSalvation Mountain
- officialEast Jesus
- officialVisit California — Imperial County
- secondaryWikivoyage: Slab City, revision 5272967 (CC BY-SA 4.0)