Volcanic Wonders at Saltlake Cindercone

Exactly as advertised

An impressive crater.

We absolutely love Saltlake Cinder Cone, also known as Red Hill. It is one of those places that makes you wonder how something this strange and beautiful can be sitting almost directly next to U.S. 395. The landscape is extraordinary: deep red volcanic soil, dark lava rocks, scattered desert vegetation, and the perfectly shaped cinder cone rising above it all. With the Sierra mountains in the distance and almost nothing man-made in sight, it may be the closest we have ever felt to walking on Mars without leaving Earth. What makes the experience even better is how easy it is. You do not need to commit to a long backcountry drive or an all-day hike to reach this scenery. You can get out of your car, wander across the volcanic terrain, explore the lava formations, and simply choose how far you want to go. The open landscape also makes it a fantastic place for photography, especially when the low sun brings out the incredible reds and browns of the ground. We have visited more than once, and the conditions can make the place look completely different from one trip to another: dramatic clouds one day, intensely blue skies another, sometimes even water collecting in the low areas and adding yet another color to the landscape. Best of all, there is no elaborate visitor infrastructure and no admission charge. It is simply an extraordinary volcanic landscape sitting there beside the highway waiting to be explored. For anyone traveling U.S. 395 who enjoys geology, photography, unusual landscapes, or places that feel completely removed from everyday life, Red Hill is an easy stop to recommend.

Quite red

Easy to find!