Salton City Dry Camp Area

We arrived on a Monday afternoon and the place was empty. Picked a level site but the wife felt strange and it was just a feeling. We have boondocks many times alone but she wanted to find another place for the night. This place was quiet secluded almost no smell and level pull thru sites. And it does look like an abandoned rv park less the services.

We drove through this old rv park that’s listed and kept going East away from the dry camp location onto the Salton Sea beach. Highly recommend that over those little spaces. There were already a few rigs in those spaces, but just a few hundred yards we pretty much had the whole beach to ourselves. One class A with a trailer was about a football field away when we pulled in. We had a great sunset, no bugs (slight smell when the wind changed directions but not unbearable). Wouldn’t recommend going much further out towards the water because the sand does get deep and you will get stuck. You can see the color change in the sand and up closer to the dry camp area is harder packed. We were in a 30+ Foot travel trailer and super duty truck and had no problems. Super quiet with the exception of the motorized paragliders but they were fun to watch. They launch right on the beach next to you. If you don’t mind hearing them first thing in the mornings, it’s a great spot. Would camp here again. Easy access to the Pilot Travel Center down the road on Highway 86 for water, dump, trash, propane and gas. Also Red Earth Casino also off of Highway 86 has same amenities.

We drove to this site, opened the doors, and were met with an overwhelming putrid visceral sent that can’t be described in words. We tried to walk to the water and got sucked into the noxious oozing mud. The beaches look like sand from a distance but it’s really just piles of dead barnacles. The water was so filled with bugs you couldn’t see the bottom, only bugs. It was also 125 degrees. The actual campsite was just an old empty rv park with a good amount of spots and easy turn around. Would not stay here though, unless you just need a place to sleep.

There are some spots that are pretty level but some where the sand is loose & deep so be careful. I parked in an old RV site facing the lake and left the curtain across my windshield open to enjoy the view.

It’s pretty far from the water. I walked down that way but didn’t feel comfortable driving my class A there. Just walking I was sinking in spots. I did see cars, vans, & travel trailers on the beach.

The paragliders didn’t bother me. They mostly rode at sunset but also in the mornings. I was already awake due to a nearby rooster. When the weekend came so did the off-roaders. Only a few riding along the beach here but hundreds across the highway at Marina Drive & CA-86. You could hear them late into the night since noise carries long distances in the desert but it wasn’t loud enough to keep me up with my windows closed.

There is a dump station just a couple of miles away where you can also fill your fresh water tank. People kept telling me it’s not safe to stay at the Salton Sea but I’ve been to the eastern shore at Slab City, this is not that. It was very secluded, no more than half a dozen other folks in this spot at any time.

I had spotty 5G from AT&T here.

An old rv park no longer in use with several fairly level spots was just perfect for my needs even with the wind picking up. Beyond the park one could find a spot on the beach area being careful to avoid the muddy parts. Could be a bit noisy due to paragliders but I found it added the my adventure. In general this was a good spot to hang for a bit without obnoxious neighbors.

Came in at night stayed at the abandoned rv park. On the following day scouted out a spot closer on the beach which used to be under water. Be careful as the closer to the water you are the softer the ground becomes. I had some friends come out and meet us and they worked out well because there was plenty of room for all of us. Saw a few paragliders durimg the day which was fun to watch.

Ok place for a night or two. Can be noisy with all the paragliders flying around. Verizon service is good. Can be a bit smelly if the wind is blowing off the sea towards you. Currently there are 4 other RV’s, another pulled into a spot, then decided he’d prefer to become everyone’s view and pulled into the road in front of everyone. Sad how people have no consideration for anyone else.