Entry No. 62 — the Los Angeles file — filed under: outdoor-weird

Salvation Mountain

For nearly three decades Leonard Knight built this 50-foot painted hill out of adobe, hay bales, and an estimated half-million gallons of donated house paint, all to broadcast a simple 'God Is Love' message at the edge of the Salton Sea. Flowers, waterfalls, and a hollow domed 'museum' of tree-limb pillars cover every surface in candy color. Knight died in 2014; volunteers now repaint and stabilize it.

The move: Climb the painted yellow-brick path to the top for a photo over the Salton Sea, then poke into the dripping-paint cave rooms below.

📍 Before you go Free, donations help upkeep; daylight visits best. About 185-190 miles southeast of LA (~3.5 hr), a long but worthwhile haul; pair with Slab City and East Jesus next door. Avoid summer midday heat.

• 📍 Niland
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Beal Rd, Niland, CA 92257

Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-23