Soda Lake Overlook | California
A normally dry lake bed, covers an area of about 3,000 acres. It is the largest remaining natural alkali wetland in southern California and the only closed basin within the coastal mountains. Soda Lake concentrates salts as water is evapoarted away, leaving white deposits of sulfates and carbonates. Despite this harsh envirnoment, small plant and animal species are well adapted to this setting. In the 1880's, the saline deposits of Soda Lake were mined for use at nearby cattle ranches as salt licks or for preserving meat. Prior to 1908 the Carrisa Chemical Company contructed a 600 ton per month capacity processing plant to recover sodium sulphate. Once the salts were processed they were sacked and hauled to McKittrick for distribution
Accessibility Description (ABA/ADA)
There is no cell phone reception at this site.
Parking for the overlook is in a packed-gravel and dirt lot off Soda Lake Road, near the west shore of Soda Lake in the northwest corner of the Carrizo Plain National Monument.
The parking lot has room for about 20 vehicles. It does not have any designated accessible spaces, but the flat, well-packed surface should accommodate most mobility device users.
A large 3-panel covered kiosk sits just left of the beginning of the trail and an accessible double vault toilet sits on a concrete pad on the other side of the trail, with ample parking nearby. Erosion may cause a lip between the surface of the lot and the concrete. There is no potable water.
A 5-foot-wide gap in the metal fence provides access to the start of the 800-foot trail leading to the overlook. The trail is wide and well-packed. The steep grade from the entrance to the overlook may be challenging for people with limited mobility or manual wheelchairs, but the trail is wide enough for adaptive bikes or motorized mobility vehicles.
Halfway up the hill is a small bench and an interpretive sign, and a second interpretive sign sits at the top.
Descriptions and photos uploaded June 2026. Please note that actual on-the-ground conditions may vary due to natural events (e.g., weather, wildfires, erosion), normal wear and tear, or site improvements.
Contact Us
Activities
Addresses
Directions
Once on Carrizo Plain National Monument, continue on Soda Lake Road until you arrive at sign for Soda Lake Overlook. Overlook is on one side of road, boardwalk is on the other side of the road.
Fees
No fee