How to Plan a Palm Springs Day Trip to Salvation Mountain and Shields Garden

During Lent, I’m always drawn to experiences that invite reflection rather than distraction. On a recent day trip, I found myself unexpectedly moved by two very different places in Southern California: a desert art installation that boldly proclaims God’s love, and a quiet garden that invites you to walk alongside the story of Christ’s life.

Though I visited on Memorial Day weekend, not during Lent, thinking back on that day this season reminded me how meaningful intentional, reflective experiences can be — especially when they slow you down and allow you to notice the details around you.

A Desert Day of Reflection During Lent

Lent is a season of slowing down — of stepping away from noise and distraction to make space for reflection. It invites us to examine our hearts, to walk more intentionally, and to consider Christ’s journey with fresh attention.

While I didn’t visit during the Lenten season, this day in the desert felt uniquely suited to it.

There is something about wide, open landscapes that quiet the mind. The stillness of the desert, the unhurried walking, the physical act of moving from one scene to another — it mirrors the inward journey Lent calls us to take.

I was visiting family in Riverside when we decided to make a full day of exploring. What unfolded felt less like sightseeing and more like a small pilgrimage — one that would feel especially meaningful during the Lenten season.

Exploring Salvation Mountain

Just getting to Salvation Mountain is an adventure in itself.

Driving from Riverside took us past the stark shoreline of the Salton Sea, through the near-ghost-town feel of Bombay Beach, and into the small desert city of Niland. The landscape grows increasingly barren as you approach, which makes the sudden burst of color all the more striking.

Salvation Mountain rises unexpectedly from the earth — three stories high and vividly painted — inviting you to step closer and look carefully.

Created by Leonard Knight, this desert art installation was 28 years in the making. Built from adobe clay and straw, it stands as a bright and unapologetic expression of the Good News. The surface is covered with Biblical truths, Scripture references, and prayers, woven among painted flowers, birds, trees, and waterfalls. At the top, a simple cross overlooks the desert horizon.

Up close, the details are what make it memorable.

There are countless spots for photos, but also countless messages to pause and read. A painted “yellow brick road” leads upward toward the cross. Inside the mountain itself is a small museum space, though during our visit the interior and upper areas were closed for visitor safety. Be sure to observe posted signs and follow all guidelines — this is both an art installation and a fragile labor of love.

Surrounding the mountain, you’ll find painted cars and trucks — part of the larger installation — each bearing colorful declarations of God’s love and salvation.

As we were leaving, a volunteer stopped to chat with us and handed us each a Salvation Mountain water bottle sticker. Visitors are welcome free of charge from sunrise to sunset, 365 days a year, and donations are encouraged to help preserve and maintain the site.

It is important to remember that Salvation Mountain sits at the entrance to Slab City — an off-grid desert community built on a former World War II Marine training base. The setting adds to the raw, unconventional character of the experience.

In the middle of an otherwise empty desert landscape, Salvation Mountain feels bold, unfiltered, and impossible to ignore.

As with any desert environment, stay on designated paths and remain mindful of wildlife.

For updated rules and guidelines, visit the official Salvation Mountain website.

Walking “The Walk” at Shields Biblical Garden

From the outside, Shields Date Garden looks rather unassuming — just a simple building. Other than the giant knight in armor in the parking lot, pointing toward the entrance with his shield-shaped sign that reads “Shields” and “Don’t Miss It!,” you might actually miss it.

It isn’t until you step through the gift shop and into the garden that you realize that there is not only something to see, but something to experience. The Walk takes visitors on a chronological journey through Christ’s life. It doesn’t simply place a single statue for each scene — the garden uses natural elements and structures to create entire immersive scenes. The winding paths, corners, and the rising bridge reveal each moment gradually, making it feel almost like walking alongside Christ Himself.

This Biblical garden is quiet, peaceful, and deeply reflective. Having the place to ourselves until nearly the end of The Walk made the experience even more intimate. During this Lenten season, I find myself thinking back on my time there and looking forward to a return visit. It reminds me how Lent invites quiet reflection — a time to pause, enter into peace, and notice God’s presence in the details of our lives.

Though I had hoped to linger on the café’s beautiful patio, the fact that it was closed was a blessing in disguise. It allowed us to move through the Garden unhurried and fully immersed. The café, when open, overlooks the lake, garden, and surrounding mountains, offering a serene spot to rest. The gift shop also carries souvenirs, snacks, and a counter where you can order the area’s famous date shakes.

The Walk winds through a 17-acre date farm, depicting 14 scenes from Jesus’ life and featuring 23 statues.

A Note on Timing and Desert Heat

We visited on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, and by the time we arrived at Shields Date Garden, the desert heat was intense. We hadn’t gotten the early start we planned, so we reached Salvation Mountain around 1:30 PM and spent about thirty minutes there before continuing on. By the time we began The Walk at Shields around 3:30 PM, the afternoon sun was in full force.

And yet, there was an unexpected gift: the garden was nearly empty. The quiet made the experience deeply personal.

If you’re planning a similar trip during Lent or early spring, the cooler temperatures would make for a far more comfortable and unhurried experience — allowing you to linger longer and truly absorb each scene.

Why This Makes the Perfect Palm Springs Day Trip

While we made this trip from Riverside, I would strongly recommend planning it as a day trip from Palm Springs. The route makes far more sense geographically, and beginning the morning grounded in worship before heading into the desert creates a rhythm that feels especially fitting for Lent.

Salvation Mountain works best as a meaningful stop along the way rather than a destination on its own. Paired with the intentional storytelling of Shields Biblical Garden, the day becomes layered and memorable.

A Thoughtful Lenten Day Trip Itinerary

If you’re visiting during Lent or early spring, this makes for a meaningful, unhurried day trip from Palm Springs—especially if you begin the morning grounded in worship.

Option 1: Brunch First, Then The Walk

Best if you want a slower morning and a set meal time

• Attend an early church service
• Drive to Shields Biblical Garden
• Enjoy brunch at the café
  • The patio offers beautiful views of the lake, garden, and surrounding mountains
• Walk The Walk and explore the garden grounds
• Drive on to Salvation Mountain
• Return to Palm Springs in the early evening

This option works well if dining is a priority, though it allows for less lingering time at Shields.

Option 2: Reflection First, Then Lingering (Recommended)

• Attend an early church service
• Pick up something simple to eat for the drive
• Head straight to Salvation Mountain
  • Spend about 30 minutes exploring and noticing the many small details
• Drive on to Shields Biblical Garden
• Take The Walk at an unhurried pace
• Linger in the garden, gift shop, and grounds
• Optional stop at the café or snack counter if open

This order allows you to treat Salvation Mountain as a meaningful stop rather than the main destination, while giving you more time to slow down and reflect at Shields.

Planning note: The café patio at Shields is lovely, but it closes daily at 2:00 PM daily, so plan accordingly if you hope to dine there.

What to Wear for a Desert Day of Reflection

A day that begins at church and continues walking through the desert calls for pieces that are both beautiful and practical. You want to feel comfortable enough to explore and polished enough for photos — without constantly adjusting or overheating.

Here’s what worked beautifully for me at Shields Date Garden and Salvation Mountain:

A Maxi Dress That Moves With You

I wore a bright floral smocked maxi dress with a ruffled hem. A maxi dress is ideal for a day like this because it transitions effortlessly:

• Church → brunch → walking outdoors
• Stylish for photos
• Modest and feminine
• Comfortable enough for warm desert air

The length keeps things church-appropriate while still feeling breezy and easy.

A Lightweight Layer

Because my dress was strapless — and because of the desert sun — I layered a white cotton button-up over it, sleeves rolled and tied at the waist.

This one addition did several things:

• Added modest coverage for church
• Protected my shoulders from intense sun
• Allowed airflow in the heat
• Provided warmth if temperatures shifted

Desert weather can surprise you, so having a breathable layer makes all the difference.

Supportive (But Pretty) Shoes

I chose platform wedge ankle-strap sandals with a lug sole and cork-textured wedge.

The lug sole made walking comfortable — especially on uneven terrain — while the wedge gave me the height I needed for a maxi dress without sacrificing stability.

A day like this involves more walking than you might expect, so prioritize:

• Cushioned support
• Secure straps
• A stable sole

You don’t want sore feet distracting you from the experience.

Sunglasses (And Optional Sun Protection)

A good pair of sunglasses is essential in the desert — both for comfort and for photos.

I didn’t wear a hat, but if you’re especially sensitive to the sun or plan to linger longer in the garden, a wide-brim hat would offer additional shade and protection.

Outfit Inspiration

This kind of outfit works because it allows you to focus on the experience — not your discomfort. It’s polished enough for the photos, modest enough for worship, and breathable enough for desert heat.

I’ve linked similar pieces in my Travel Style collection if you’d like inspiration for your own church-to-desert day look. (This is an affiliate link, which means I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.)

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What to Bring

Keep it simple:

• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• A refillable water bottle
• A small crossbody bag (hands free for walking and photos)
• Optional: A journal or notebook — there are quiet spots along The Walk at Shields where you can sit, reflect, and record thoughts or prayers
• Optional: A wide-brim hat for extra sun protection

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Closing Reflection

What struck me most about this day was the contrast.

One place expressed devotion through bold color and sweeping proclamations of love. The other invited quiet contemplation through ordered scenes and sculpted moments from Christ’s life.

Both, in their own way, pointed upward.

Lent invites us to slow down. To walk deliberately. To notice details we might otherwise rush past. Whether standing before painted desert hills or walking beneath palms toward three crosses silhouetted against the sky, I was reminded that reflection rarely requires perfection — only intention.

Sometimes the most meaningful pilgrimages aren’t across oceans, but across a single stretch of desert road.

A Lenten Reflection

If you were to plan a day of intentional reflection this season:

• Where would you go to quiet your heart?
• What distractions would you need to leave behind?
• What part of Christ’s journey do you need to sit with most right now?

Sometimes the invitation isn’t to travel far — but simply to walk slowly.

Have a blessend Lenten season…

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