Maybe you’ve seen Into the Wild and wondered just what Slab City was or where to find it. Maybe you’ve never heard of The Slabs but are looking for a place where you can do whatever you want (within reason) without your neighbors or the home owner’s association telling you what color to paint your house. Either way, here’s the straight dope on this small, anarchic community.

First off, you’ve got to understand where Slab City is before you can understand what it is. Slab City is located near the Arizona and Mexican borders in southern California. Just east of the Salton Sea, you’ll find a little town called Niland that’s seen much better days. If you turn east on Main street and drive three miles out of town, you’ll end up in Slab City. You’ll know you’re almost there when you see Salvation Mountain. Salvation mountain is a large adobe structure that’s been built over the past two decades as a monument to God by long-time Slab City resident, Leonard Knight. The bright colors and bible verses are unmistakable when viewed against the harsh backdrop of the southern California desert.

Slab City derives its name from all that was left behind when Camp Dunlap closed. With World War Two in the history books, the marine barracks was closed down and the concrete slabs were left to show where the base had been. Everything else was stripped from the facility. But, a few ex-military personnel stayed behind, presumably for lack of a better place to go.

Today, Slab City is as much as or more of a real town than Niland, depending on how you judge a town. During the winter, the population easily outstrips the official town three miles to the west as people roll in seeking a warm place to wait out the winter. There are people from all walks of life. You may very well see a million dollar motorhome parked a few hundred yards from a squatter’s camp built from junk that was left in the desert. Most of them show up because its a free place to live. They often stay or come back because its a free way to live.

Many of the inhabitants of Slab City can’t afford to live anywhere else. Many just don’t fit in anywhere else. For the most part, people at the Slabs have a live and let live attitude. If you don’t want to talk to your neighbors, they won’t bother you. If you feel like being social, all you have to do is walk around. Conversation is often the biggest form of entertainment, at least, until the weekend rolls around!

Come Friday night, Slab City starts rocking! For a community its size, the Slabs have an incredible amount of musical talent. There are two live stages, the Stage Door and the Range. Friday night, the Stage door kicks off around dark and the music goes until the musicians get tired of playing. Rinse and repeat at the Range on Saturday night, but in a bigger venue with more bands showing up and food on site for those who didn’t eat before they came out.

Slab City has many things you wouldn’t expect to find in what many people would describe as a homeless camp. For example, there is a church, several social clubs, a lending library and a golf course! But if you venture to the Slabs, be prepared for what it’s lacking: water, sewer, electricity and telephones. Also, come realizing that it’s not the place that makes Slab City what it is, but the people. You will see a considerable amount of junk left laying around by people who did not care enough to pick up after themselves. However, the wonderful people you’ll meet and the feeling that everyone is on a long vacation makes up for what the landscaping lacks.