Map showing campground location near Salton City, California

Camper submitted image from Salton Sea Sra

Salton Sea Sra

Train whistles punctuate the desert air at this state recreation area campground positioned along California's largest inland body of water. Multiple camping areas spread across the eastern shore of the Salton Sea, each offering different experiences from lakefront sites to more secluded spots with vegetation screening.

The New Camp area provides larger, well-spaced sites with some electrical hookups and restroom facilities, though it lacks direct water views. Sites closer to the shoreline at other sections of the park place campers right beside the sea, where Jeannie B. notes "the sunrise and sunsets were some of the prettiest I've ever seen." The proximity to active railroad tracks means regular freight trains pass throughout the day and night. Water pressure runs high at hookup sites, and shower facilities charge quarters for hot water.

Winter months draw the most visitors, as summer temperatures can become extreme in this desert location. The area serves as a staging point for exploring nearby attractions like Salvation Mountain and Slab City. Bird watching opportunities abound along the shoreline, particularly during migration seasons. Sites vary significantly in privacy and spacing, with some offering little separation between neighbors.

For campers seeking different accommodations, Mecca Beach Campground — Salton Sea State Recreation Area provides an alternative lakefront option to the northwest.

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Location

Public Campground

Salton Sea Sra is located in California

Coordinates

33.41777755 N
115.830833 W

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Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verizon5G
Good Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 12/11/25
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 3 users

Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verizon5G
Good Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 12/11/25
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 3 users

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Visit Website

Drive Time

57 min from El Centro, CA
1 hr 53 min from Yuma, AZ
2 hrs 15 min from San Diego, CA
3 hrs 1 min from Lake Havasu City, AZ

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

3.0

out of 5

8 Reviews

Visitors often highlighted spacious sites with good facilities and helpful hosts, plus stunning sunsets over the Salton Sea. Some feedback indicated train/highway noise and seasonal insect issues, though most found it peaceful overall.

Crystal B.

Legend

Reviewed Oct. 25, 2025

Salton Sea area with basics.

This basic camping area is easy to get to off the highway. Offers pretty sunset/sunrise over the mountains/water. Small fee.

Month of VisitOctober

(11) View All

Shawn

Ranger

Reviewed Nov. 9, 2024

I love this place

I have been coming here for 25 years. Sadly the lake is disappearing, but it have beautiful sunsets and is isolated and peaceful ( except for the occasional train). Avoid in the summer, but winter is amazing.

Sitesalt creek

Month of VisitNovember

(4) View All

Paul O.

Guide

Reviewed May. 22, 2022

Nice basecamp

This review is for the New Camp campground. For some reason Dyrt has listings for all of the developed State Park campgrounds within the Salton Sea SRA except for this one. It is near Headquarters campground but is not the same campground. First off, know that New Camp has no views of the Salton Sea. For that, you need to select one of the other campgrounds. What is nice about New Camp is that the sites are large and well spaced apart and there is a degree of privacy allowed due to vegetation. Some but not all sites have electrical hookups. There is a well maintained restroom with flush toilets and showers. The campground is small and the restrooms don't get savaged like many other Cal State Parks I've been to. We met the campground host, who was super friendly, and helpful, and very knowledgeable of the local area. My dog, camping buddy and I had a great time exploring some local hikes and attractions using New Camp as a base camp for three nights. There is a busy train track that runs parallel to much of the Eastern shore of the Salton Sea and is very close to New Camp. We didn't find this particularly bothersome.

Site38

Month of VisitDecember

(5) View All

Kyle C.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 23, 2021

Beautiful but empty

This site serves our needs since we just needed a place to camp on our way up north. The Salton Sea is beautiful in the daytime and around sunset and it was a great play to see the night sky. However other than that there isn’t much to do and there is not a whole lot around. The camp sites are also right next to each other at the beach sites.

Month of VisitNovember

Erin A.

Ranger

Reviewed Mar. 27, 2021

New Campground Beautiful

We stayed in site 42 of New Campground. We had W/E (water pressure is really high) and the sites have plenty of rooms to spread out. A ramada, picnic table, large fire pit. Some sites have shade trees. Beautiful views of the Salton Sea (thats pretty much all its good for due to pollution and high salinity from what I read- advise against swimming boating etc. Bath houses were clean (showers $0.25/2 min).

The campground is right off highway 111 and the railway so there is a lot of noise (which didn’t bother us). Just 45 min drive to Joshua Tree NP and plenty of hiking and scenic drives in Box Canyon.

(9) View All

Larry B.

Legend

Reviewed Dec. 21, 2020

Not Much to Do here

The campground area was closed due to Covid, but the park areas were open for day use. It was a nice place to visit and take some scenic pictures, but not much else to do there.

Month of VisitDecember

(5) View All

Jeannie B.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 29, 2020

Fascinating landscapes

We camped here on New Years Eve. It was quiet. This area is interesting. Has a Mad Max Thunderdome vibe. Definitely go to Salvation Mountain then drive thru Slab City. I walked thru the odd Outdoor Art Gallery called “East Jesus” fascinating population of people live out there. We camped at the Mecca camp which is a mile south of the ranger station. The actual Salton sea is right there. Great for bird watching bring binoculars. The sunrise and sunsets were some of the prettiest I’ve ever seen. Best hook up site #138 but hands down best tent site #134. If I didn’t get either of those I would not have stayed as sites are very close with zero privacy barrier. The best part of this campground were the hosts. Good folks

Site138

Month of VisitJanuary

(9) View All

Michelle Z.

Traveler

Reviewed Oct. 11, 2020

An experience of biblical plague proportions

Do not come here. Just don’t come. The gnats/flies literally rain from the sky and cover everything.... cars, tables, YOU! It’s a beautiful sunset to see on the lake but right afterwards you’ll experience a traumatic rain of insects that’s comparable to the plague of gnats or locusts from the Bible.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping options are available at Salton Sea State Recreation Area?

Salton Sea State Recreation Area offers multiple campground options, including Headquarters campground and New Camp campground. New Camp provides sites with water and electric hookups, ramadas, picnic tables, and large fire pits. Some sites feature shade trees, though not all offer views of the Salton Sea. The sites are generously sized, allowing campers to spread out comfortably. During certain periods, campground availability may be limited due to seasonal closures or other restrictions, so checking ahead is advisable.

What are visitors saying in reviews of Salton Sea State Recreation Area?

Salton Sea State Recreation Area offers beautiful sunsets and peaceful isolation, especially in winter months. The area has a unique, somewhat post-apocalyptic vibe that some find fascinating. Visitors recommend exploring nearby attractions like Salvation Mountain, Slab City, and the East Jesus outdoor art gallery. However, be aware of significant insect problems, particularly gnats and flies that can be overwhelming at certain times. The lake itself has pollution issues and is receding, making it better for scenic views rather than water recreation. Summer visits are generally not recommended, but winter camping can be quite pleasant.

Is RV camping permitted at Salton Sea State Recreation Area?

Yes, RV camping is permitted and accommodated at Salton Sea State Recreation Area. The New Camp campground specifically offers water and electric hookups suitable for RVs, with water pressure noted as being quite high. The spacious sites provide plenty of room for larger vehicles to set up comfortably. Each site includes amenities like ramadas, picnic tables, and large fire pits. The campground layout is designed to accommodate various RV sizes, making it a convenient overnight stop for travelers.

What can I see in photos of Salton Sea State Recreation Area before visiting?

Photos of Salton Sea State Recreation Area showcase stunning lake views, especially during sunset when the colors reflecting off the water create dramatic scenes. You'll see the spacious campground with its distinctive ramadas, picnic tables, and fire pits. Some images capture the unique desert landscape surrounding the sea, while others might show the receding shoreline that characterizes this area. Night photography often highlights exceptional stargazing opportunities. The campground images display the mix of sites with and without shade trees, and the overall open desert terrain that gives this location its distinctive atmosphere.

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