The Salton Sea is a truly fascinating and unique place. The Salton Sea Mud volcanoes, also known as the Salton Sea Mud Pots, are an incredible natural phenomenon that contributes to the fascination of the area.
What is a Mud Volcano or a Mud Pot?
Mud Volcanoes are created from mud seeping from the earth. Sometimes the drying mud will form volcanic cones, and the seeping mud may look like oozing lava. Mud Volcanoes can be found only in areas where petroleum deposits and geothermal activity is present. The mud volcano seepage can range from nearly freezing to hot. Mud pots are the similar, but they might just be pools or mud that hasn’t formed a volcano.
No Trespassing Signs & Safety
Before you visit Salton Sea Mud Volcanoes, you should be aware the volcanoes are on private property. Since 2016 or so, there are signs on the road that warn “No Trespassing. Violators will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.” While staying extensively in the area, I asked other visitors and locals if they had visited the area. Approximately 1/3 had never heard of it, 1/3 were too scared to visit (scared to be shot or prosecuted), and 1/3 had explored the volcanoes, but done so respectfully and safely by not disturbing the volcanoes. Do know that if you visit the mud volcanoes, you are in a geothermic zone, and there is much soft mud around, especially after a (rare) rainstorm. This mud is extremely sticky and when wet it’s almost like quicksand. You may lose a shoe!
What You Will See at the Salton Sea Mud Volcanoes
The Salton Sea mud volcanoes are located in the geothermal area that surrounds the Salton Sea. These particular volcanoes aren’t too high, perhaps 10 feet (3 meters) at the highest. As it had rained about 10 days before my visit, the mud was dry enough to visit. There was a bit of flowing “lava” mud, but you could see it was drying faster than it was flowing. There were a couple colorful, bubbling pools and a makeshift trail to the top of one of the more active volcanoes. The mud volcanoes overlook one of the Salton Sea Geothermal Plants.
The Mud Bubbles
If you’re lucky, you will hear gurgling and see large (approx. 1 foot in diameter) mud bubbles forming and then exploding and spraying mud.
Where are the Salton Sea Mud Volcanoes?
From Niland, you go south on Highway 111 and turn right onto McDonald Road. McDonald is recommended as it is partially paved. Then turn left on Davis Road and the volcanoes are immediately on your left. They are on Davis Road between McDonald and West Schrimpf Road. On Google Maps, the mud volcanoes are named “Davis-Schrimpf Seep Field”. However, follow my instructions to avoid driving on gravel the whole way.
What Else to See Near the Mud Volcanoes
The mud volcanoes are very near Red Hill Marina (a defunct marina due to the recession of the Salton Sea). From the marina, you can also the Sonny Bono National Wildlife Refuge where you can see many birds and talk to the biologists on staff.
Best Time to Visit the Salton Sea Mud Volcanoes
The best time to visit mud volcanoes is late November to late March. My visit in December had sunny skies and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Spring and Fall is also pleasant but there are more insects. Traveling in summer can be incredibly hot, with regular temperatures around 125 degrees Fahrenheit. I would not advise visiting shortly after a rain storm as the field will be incredibly muddy (sure, I get it that you’re here to see the mud but getting your shoes ruined isn’t fun!)
Salton See Mud Volcanoes – Where to Eat
If you’re in Niland, CA, you must eat at the Buckshot Restaurant. This Mexican/American Restaurant has great breakfasts, burgers, and Mexican food. For breakfast I recommend the breakfast burrito. Don’t miss the salsa – they make several flavors in house and the verde salsa is so tasty.
Or you can head down to Calipatria to the south to eat at the Donut Shop – they have burgers, pizzas, Mexican food, and of course – donuts!
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Salton Sea Mud Volcanoes – Where to Stay
There really isn’t anywhere recommended to stay in Niland, CA, unless you want to camp over in Slab City. But there are a few places to stay within half an hour of the mud volcanoes:
- 30 minutes south is Brawley. There are several good motel choices in Brawley, where you have access to lots of restaurants as well. (Check Rates and Availability)
- 30 minutes to the north is the Fountain of Youth RV Spa. You can tent, van, or RV camp at this all ages resort with 2 pools, 4 hot tubs, steam room, great showers, and loads of activities. Highly recommended. (Check Rates and Availability)
Other Places in The World You Can See Mud Volcanoes
- Azerbaijan. These are becoming some of the most famous mud volcanoes in the world. These volcanoes are located in an oil feed and the mud flows greasy. Look at the photos here.
- Colombia. The mud volcano near Cartagena is so large you climb it via stairways and take a bath in the mud and even get a massage. See me soaking in the mud here.
- Kyrgyzstan. I found these tiny mud volcanoes by accident when camping in western Kyrgyzstan. But I almost saw myself get stuck in the mud. Read about it here.
Want to know more about the Salton Sea? Check out this Salton Sea Itinerary.
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