California's largest lake -- 35 miles long and 15 miles wide -- the Salton Sea is a geological marvel that lies more than 225 feet below sea level, making it one of the lowest spots on earth. The salty body of water is also a rarity in that it has no outlet that flows to the Pacific Ocean, but the lake and nearby wetlands are a prime habitat for numerous birds, fish and other wildlife. Salton Sea State Recreation Area allows visitors to enjoy outdoor activities such as boating, swimming, fishing, hiking and camping.
Salton's Story
- Filling a desert basin called the Salton Sink, the namesake sea covers a surface area of 376 square miles and has a maximum depth of about 51 feet. The Salton Sea lies in the Colorado Desert of southeastern California and is bordered by the Chocolate Mountains to the east, the Orocopia Mountains to the north and the Santa Rosa Mountains to the west. Originally part of the Gulf of California and various other bodies of water that filled the basin and evaporated over thousands of years, the Salton Sink filled once again when the flooding Colorado River broke through diversion canals in 1905. Salton Sea State Recreation Area, which was dedicated in 1955, lies along a 14-mile stretch on the lake's northeastern shoreline.
For the Birds
- The Salton Sea serves as a major stopover on the Pacific Flyway, with an estimated 4 million birds inhabiting or migrating through the area each year. More than 400 bird species have been documented at this bird-watchers' haven, including burrowing owls, brown and white pelicans, great blue herons, ospreys, ducks, geese and terns. Bird lists are available at the Salton Sea State Recreation Area visitor center, and Pelican Days -- an annual festival that celebrates one of the sea's most abundant shorebirds -- typically is held on a January weekend. The event's registration fee includes bird walks, kayak tours, an evening reception, two nights of camping and a T-shirt. November to February typically are the best months for bird-watching.
Amenities and Activities
- Salton Sea Recreation Area's day-use facilities include a boat ramp, playgrounds, a picnic area and fishing jetties where anglers can drop their lines in search of tilapia, corvina, gulf croaker and sargo. Mecca Beach is a popular swimming area and includes bathhouse facilities. Kayakers can paddle the sea along a 14-mile kayak run that leads from behind the visitor center at Varner Harbor to Bombay Beach, one of two primitive camping areas -- along with Salt Creek -- that include kayak racks. The Ironwood Nature Trail has 30 interpretive stops that explore the sea, its salt and other natural resources on its 2-mile roundtrip journey from the visitor center to Mecca Beach.
Campsites by the Sea
- Campers have plenty of options to choose from along the water's edge, as the state recreation area has several campgrounds with a combined 1,600 campsites. Developed campsites for tents, trailers and RVs -- some of which include full hookups or electric hookups -- are available near park headquarters and at Mecca Beach, while primitive tent camping is available along the shoreline at Salt Creek, Corvina Beach and Bombay Beach. Reservations are recommended for developed campsites from October to May. Because of state budget cuts, some of the primitive camping areas are subject to offseason closures from June to September. Check the park's website for a list of closings.
