Salvation Mountain and East Jesus - Slab City, California
Salvation Mountain, Slab City California
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. This helps me keep the Sick Girl Travels blog running while providing you with high-quality product recommendations and great travel deals. Please see my full disclosure for further information. Thanks for your support!
Where is Slab City, and What is Slab City?
In the middle of the Sonoran Desert, midway between San Diego and Los Angeles, you’ll find a community of around 150 permanent residents living off the grid in California with no official electricity, running water, sewers, toilets, law enforcement, or trash pick up service. Slab City California, or The Slabs as it’s called, is a large snowbird community in Imperial County used by squatters and recreational vehicle owners from all over North America. It’s known as the last free place in the United States. The Slab City population rises to over a thousand residents in the winter months as snowbirds flock to the area. Slab City draws its name from the large concrete slabs left behind by the US Marine Corp who utilized the area as a training ground for field and anti-aircraft artillery units prior to the US entering World War II.
For those of you wondering, “Is Slab City safe to visit?” The answer is yes.
Welcome to Slab City, California.
The training base was commissioned back in October of 1942 on 631 acres of desert land. Originally the camp had fully functioning buildings, running water, roads, and a sewage system. The base was only operational for three years. By 1956, the structures had all been dismantled apart from the concrete slabs. In 1961 the land was transferred back to the state of California.
The residents of Slab City make do with generators and solar panels to generate electricity. They’ve formed their own art installations, churches, bars, and an impressive open-air nightclub with live music performances. There are three main attractions in Slab City: Salvation Mountain East Jesus, and The Range. I’ll go into each area in detail below.
If you decide to visit this highly unusual and fascinating area, please be respectful and keep to the three areas I mentioned. Remember, people do live here and the area has no official law enforcement. So, if you trespass on the wrong person’s slab, you best be ready to deal with the consequences. It’s better to ask for permission than forgiveness.
Salvation Mountain California
Leonard Knight in front of his brightly colored, manmade hill, Salvation Mountain CA, circa 2010.
Can You Visit Salvation Mountain?
Yes! The area is frequented by tourists and built to be to be appreciated.
For tourists coming to Slab City, Salvation Mountain is a huge draw. Salvation Mountain a massive work of art created by local resident Leonard Knight. He began work on the piece in 1984, though his first version collapsed and it took quite some time to find materials strong enough to withstand the harsh environment. The artwork is made of straw, adobe, and thousands of gallons of lead-free, latex paint. It features multiple bible verses and murals painted with Christian sayings. Knight said God guided him in its construction.
Sadly in December of 2011 80-year-old Knight began suffering the effects of dementia and was placed in a long-term care facility. He passed away in February of 2014. After Knight was forced to leave his mountain, a public charity was formed to help support and protect his project. Visitors frequently donate cans of paint to be used by the volunteers who maintain Salvation Mountain Slab City.
To get to the top of Salvation Mountain, you can walk up the paths on the front of the structure, or if you have mobility issues, you can go around to the backside of the mountain where it meets up with the natural grade of the desert ground. No climbing necessary! It’s much simpler to go around the back of the structure and avoid climbing the steep, sometimes slippery front.
To the side of the main mountain is a smaller area visitors can walk around inside. Warning, wheelchair users may find this difficult as the ground is uneven and contains several sections where you must step over materials to get through. (See the Slab City photos below.)
There’s plenty of free parking outside Salvation Mountain. The area around this amazing piece of folk art is flat and easy to walk around, but it is the desert, so be prepared for the extreme Slab City weather which can reach 120 degrees or more temperatures in the summer months. Make sure you wear plenty of sunscreen.
Though it’s in the middle of nowhere, the area is a popular attraction for Southern California residents and Instagrammers who come to take photos against the colorful backdrop. So, don’t expect to have your own personal photo shoot at Salvation Mountain. Palm Springs and Joshua Tree are also close by so expect a bump in traffic during Coachella.
Whether you climb up the front of Salvation Mountain or make your way around the back, you can expect some beautiful desert views from the top. Particularly at sunset.
The View from the Top of Salvation Mountain.
East Jesus California
If you’re visiting Slab City, East Jesus is a must-see. While Salvation Mountain is full of religious text and iconography, East Jesus actually has no religious connotations. Rather than referencing the lord and savior, Jesus East Jesus refers to “east of Jesus” a location in the middle of nowhere, off the grid, and operating without municipal utilities. Home to an incredible art installation in the middle of the North American deserts is East Jesus. East of nowhere.
Entrance to the East Jesus Sculpture Garden.
Back in 2007 Charlie Russell left his job in the tech industry, packed all his worldly possessions into a shipping container, and made is home in the middle of a trash-strewn field in Slab City. He slowly repurposed that trash into sculptures, which became the beginning of East Jesus. After his death in 2011, The Chasterus Foundation took over the curation and further development of East Jesus. What stands today is an experimental, sustainable, and livable art installation. Mixed media art made from various recycled materials covers the property. It’s really an impressive sight to behold. East Jesus not only houses sculptures and installations, but a musical performance space with a PA system, stage lighting, and a studio grand piano. This facility, called The Range, has a solar power system linked to a battery bank made entirely of discarded batteries from local telecom companies. It’s a really impressive setup.
Local residents offer guided tours of East Jesus throughout the day. I was a little nervous entering the property since people actually live on the grounds and I didn't want to accidentally wander into someone’s personal living space. If you enter through the main East Jesus sculpture garden, you should run right into one of the locals who will be more than happy to show you around. If you decide to explore on your own, just be mindful of the signage and keep an eye on your surroundings and you should be fine.
Is Slab City Lawless?
In Slab City crime does happen, but the community is largely self-regulating.
Do Police Go to Slab City?
Police from neighboring, Niland, California will occasionally cruise through to check everything’s OK.
Is Slab City Dangerous?
No. But I would go during daylight hours and be mindful of people’s personal property.
Is Slab City Still Free?
Yes, though I recommend tipping your guide in East Jesus should one of the locals choose to show you around.
One of my favorite parts of East Jesus is the collection of intricately decorated old vehicles. Cars, vans, boats, and even planes are covered in impressive patterns and designs.
The Slab City art scene is truly unique. Next time you’re in LA, San Diego, or Palm Springs, consider taking a drive out to this fascinating area. If you’re interested in enjoying some live music at The Range, check out their Facebook page. They hold regular musical performances on Saturday nights as well as the annual Slab City Prom. Make sure you use the bathroom before making the trip. The nearest town is about 6 miles away in Niland. So, if you’re picky about having running water when you use the bathroom, you’ll need to make the trip into town.
The Community Board in Slab City.
