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Salvation Mountain, Calipatria

4.4
#69 of 456 in Historic Sites in California
Must see · Religious Site · Tourist Spot
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Salvation Mountain is a hillside visionary environment created by local resident Leonard Knight (1931–2014) in the California Desert area of Imperial County, north of Calipatria, northeast of Niland, near the Slab City squatter/art commune, and several miles from the Salton Sea.

The artwork is made of adobe bricks, discarded tires and windows, automobile parts and thousands of gallons of paint. It encompasses numerous murals and areas painted with Christian sayings and Bible verses, though its philosophy was built around the Sinner's Prayer.
The Folk Art Society of America declared it "a folk art site worthy of preservation and protection" in the year 2000. In an address to the United States Congress on May 15, 2002, California Senator Barbara Boxer described it as "a unique and visionary sculpture... a national treasure... profoundly strange and beautifully accessible, and worthy of the international acclaim it receives".
In December 2011, the 80-year-old Knight was placed in a long-term care facility in El Cajon for dementia. Leonard Knight died on February 10, 2014, in El Cajon. He was able to visit Salvation Mountain for the last time in May 2013; the visit was recorded by KPBS (TV).
Concern was raised in 2012 for the future of the site, which requires constant upkeep due to the harsh desert environment. Many visitors were donating paint to the project, and a group of volunteers worked to protect and maintain the site. In February 2011, a public charity, Salvation Mountain, Inc., was established to support the project. In 2013, the Annenberg Foundation donated $32,000 to Salvation Mountain Inc. for materials and equipment to "improve security and strengthen operations". A 2014 article stated that Salvation Mountain Inc. was operated by the nine volunteer members of its board.
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Salvation Mountain reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
394 reviews
Google
4.5
TripAdvisor
  • Salvation is a worthwhile visit to see the folksy art that Kerry such an inspirational message about God’s love. Lots of different vehicles, painted with biblical references as well as words, and... 
    Salvation is a worthwhile visit to see the folksy art that Kerry such an inspirational message about God’s love. Lots of different vehicles, painted with biblical references as well as words, and...  more »
  • It is exactly what you think. A "mountain" painted with religious text. The owner has died, but the caretaker keeps it up. Only spent about 30 minutes 
    It is exactly what you think. A "mountain" painted with religious text. The owner has died, but the caretaker keeps it up. Only spent about 30 minutes  more »
Google
  • Seen this in the movie, "Into the Wild" and put it on my list of must see. Visiting the high desert decided to take a day trip here. Nice drive along the Salton Sea on a paved two lane road. Be sure to gas up, have water, sunscreen and hat. Arrived in the morning and it was already hot. Easy to find, used GPS. There is parking off the road. The area was clean and a port-a-potty on sight was surprising clean and serviced. An on site care taker was friendly and working on maintenance. Information flyers and postcards are available which I loved and took advantage of. A donation box is securely set up and suggested. There was also a selfie shelf to take photos. Genius! You can wander and explore where permitted. Sunset photos would be the best. A California icon that is worth the time.
  • I highly recommend the visit. Amazing to see what one man created over 22 years. You won't need a lot of time there, however there is so much to see near by. (Slab City, Salton Sea, Bombay Beach)

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