Visit Slab City: a community living off the grid with no rules- Hidden CA

Hello everyone! This is a friendly reminder that any of these fun places we may visit, we are a guest at. Please treat both businesses and trails with the utmost respect. We here at Hidden California follow the 'Leave no Trace' mantra, meaning whatever you bring with you comes back with you. If you see trash on a trail, please do your part to help remove it. Remember, we are not picking up trash from another person but instead cleaning up for Mother Nature. Happy adventures!

Camp Dunlap
Calipatria, CA 92233

33.258759, -115.462421

Dog-Friendly: In mild weather, yes Kid-Friendly: Yes

About Slab City

I respect living off the grid, the free-thinkers, artist communities–that is all beautiful. Slab City is all of that except with a dark twist.

This is a highly complex community that cannot really be lumped into one category besides having a few common grounds–living off the grid & as far away from the “man” as possible.

This is an area with no rules and where one is left to do whatever they please. When man is given that type of freedom, almost anything is possible.

I have done my fair share of research and am truly impressed with what they’re doing on many levels. The amount of innovation going on and self-sustainability is truly admirable. They are treating this place as its own town complete with a dance hall, church, internet café, hot spring and even a city council with board members.

For many people, this is the only place that they can call home, and on top of that, the only place they’ve ever truly felt at home. This is heaven on earth for many of them and I completely respect that.

If I had to attempt to describe Slab City I would say it is a sophisticated homeless shelter created by the people for the people. You would probably feel safer visiting here than, say, skid row–although there are still plenty of shady people. There are also extremely intelligent, kind and talented folks and I would not suggest assuming much of anything or underestimating them. There is a force out here.

The Internet Cafe:

Their music venue:

The snack bar:

We met this sweet lady who sells her art out of her van and made this amazing wall from trash and mud in her yard. I heard she has since passed away since we visited. She was an incredibly kind soul, you could tell: