This is the ultimate guide to visiting Anza Borrego Desert State Park! From camping to hiking to driving and stargazing, I’ve got it all covered. Whether you have one day in Anza Borrego or you visit several times per year, here are the highlights of Anza Borrego Desert State Park.
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Did you know that California has the most state parks of any state in the entire USA? And, Anza Borrego is the largest of all of them, sprawling over 600,000 acres of desert wilderness.
Seemingly endless landscapes stretch out, covered in ocotillo cacti, rugged rocks, and sandy washes. In the springtime, bold yellow and purple flowers dot the otherwise brown-toned floor.
Anza Borrego is so vast, that even in California, you can feel alone here.
Roughly 80 miles northwest of San Diego, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is not extremely well know to those outside of California (and, frankly, there are plenty of people within California who don’t know about it, either!)
But that’s a shame! This park is filled with unique natural wonders like natural California fan palm oases, odd rock formations, slot canyons, and desert wildlife.
Here is everything you need to know to visit Anza-Borrego Desert State Park!
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A Complete Guide to Visiting Anza Borrego Desert State Park
This unique pocket of the California desert is located within easy driving distance of San Diego, Los Angeles, and basically any area in Southern California.
Anza Borrego Desert State Park Basics:
- Anza Borrego Desert State Park was established in 1933.
- The park is located in Southern California.
- It will take roughly 2.75 hours to drive here from Los Angeles and 1.5 hours from San Diego.
- Two-thirds of the park’s area is designated wilderness.
- Anza Borrego Desert state Park is open 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
- Entry into Anza Borrego Desert state Park is free, but some areas require a day use or camping fee.
- Anza Borrego Desert state Park is an international dark sky park, meaning the stargazing is unmatched.
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When is the Best Time to Visit Anza Borrego Desert State Park?
The temperature here can vary from one part of the day to the next as well as season to season. This is pretty typical for the desert! I personally enjoy visiting Anza Borrego at any time of year, but yes – the temperatures will vary greatly in different months.
Winter (December – February): Temperatures hover around 70 degrees Fahrenheit at the high point and drop to the 30s overnight. Winter is a great season for hiking and exploring, and is an ideal time for the longer, more strenuous hikes in the park.
Spring (March – May): The park has great weather at this time of year, with highs typically in the 80s and lows in the 50s. This is a beautiful time to visit Anza Borrego and catch all of the vibrant blooms from cacti and wildflowers. Bonus – when the conditions are just right, Anza Borrego may showcase colorful superblooms!
Summer (June-September): Summer months can be busy simply because school is out and family vacations are in full swing. However, most people would prefer to avoid the intense heat of summer if they could. Temperatures are regularly in the triple digits. Less strenuous hikes are possible in the early hours, but not recommended mid-day.
Fall (October – November): Fall’s weather is fairly similar to spring, with highs in the 70s and 80s and lows in the 40s and 50s. Most people I know plan their camping adventures for the fall, once the temperatures drop. This is the most popular season in the park though, so expect crowds and plan campsites in advance.
Is There an Entrance Fee for Anza Borrego Desert State Park?
Most of the park’s 600,000-plus acres are completely free for visitors. How cool is that?!
Just a few of the more popular spots, like the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail, Tamarisk Grove, Bow Willow, Vern Whitaker Horse Camp and the Visitor Center cost between $5 to $10 to enter. Day use fees or campsite fees may apply.
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Things to Do in Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Hiking
It’s probably no surprise – this expansive desert park has a lot of hiking trail options. If hiking is your thing, I highly recommend checking out my best hikes in Anza Borrego post. There you’ll find detailed information on several hikes that I mention below.
A note on safety. If you have never hiked in the desert before, or don’t do it often, please check out my Desert Hiking Essentials list. That way, even in the most remote hiking areas of Anza Borrego, you’ll be safe and prepared.
The Slot Hike
Yep, California has slot canyons. And Anza Borrego’s The Slot is one of my favorite hikes in Southern California!
This short trail is partially shaded depending on what time of day you visit. Don’t bring a large backpack or much to carry; the narrow passageways are pretty tight in some spots! canyon walls towering high above.
It can be tricky to reach, depending on the weather. Be sure to check out directions, fees, and details here.
Borrego Palm Canyon Trail
Probably my second-favorite hike in Anza Borrego, the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail is a moderately strenuous trek through several scenic spots.
The palm oasis at the end is the highlight, but you might be lucky along the way and spot the bighorn sheep that the park is named after.
Note that you do need to pa to access this portion of the park. Check out directions, fees, and details here.
Wind Caves Trail
This hike is approximately one-mile roundtrip – so, short and sweet but with a fun reward! It leads to wind-eroded sandstone caves and passageways to explore. Though the trail is short, be prepared for some steep spots.
Last reminder: for more Anza Borrego hikes and detailed information, check out my Anza Borrego hiking post.
Do you love hiking in Southern California? Check out my 52 Hikes in Southern California E-Book! Click the image below for the full details.
Stargazing
Stepping deep into the heart of Anza Borrego creates an unbeatable environment for stargazing. While you will see an impressive expanse no matter where you are in the park, some of the best spots for stargazing are:
- Culp Valley area and Culp Valley Primitive Campground (accessible with 2WD)
- Blair Valley/Little Blair Valley/Blair Valley Primitive Campground (accessible with 2WD)
- Fish Creek Primitive Campground (high clearance and 4WD vehicles recommended)
- Mountain Palm Springs Primitive Campground (high clearance and 4WD vehicles recommended)
Pro Tip: Avoid the full moon or cloudy nights for the best star-visibility.
How To Get Around
Anza Borrego is remote enough that you simply can’t rely on public transportation here. You will definitely need a car, whether it’s your own or a rental car.
Furthermore, this park has multiple areas that are completely inaccessible without 4WD. Please use caution when driving, particularly after rain as some areas might be washed out or experience flash flooding.
In the hot summer months, having a car is a must to cool off in AC between stops. Anza Borrego can reach the triple digits in the daytime.
Be sure to grab a map at the Visitor’s Center if it is your first visit here. It highlights the roads, the hiking trails, and the camping spots within the park.
An important note; one thing that I’ve always found difficult about Anza Borrego is the lack of intuitive driving paths.
The park forms a sort of “circle” around the town of Borrego Springs, but there is no way to drive a circular path around the park. Rather, you will need to enter and exit at various points to see the sights.
This is why staying overnight in a central location like Borrego Springs is the best choice. Check out my top hotel recommendations below.
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Camping in Anza Borrego Desert State Park
This park is incredible for camping. From traditional campsites to rugged dispersed camping, here you can do it all.
If you want to camp at a campsite with basic amenities like toilets and designated sites, reserve a spot in Borrego Palm Canyon or Tamarisk Grove Campground here. Reservations can be made up to six months in advance. These campsites do fill up in the spring and fall, so plan ahead when possible.
On the other hand, you could go for free dispersed camping if you don’t mind a more rustic experience. This means you can camp anywhere within Anza-Borrego State Park as long as you follow these rules:
- Your car is parked no more than one car length off the road (fyi, you may walk further to set up your campsite.)
- You are at least 100 yards away from any water source.
- You may not have any ground fires.
Depending on your preference, there are pros and cons to either choice. But, they are both an awesome experience.
You could also consider car camping at Rockhouse, Pegleg, and Clark Dry Lake. Bring in everything you need, from food to snacks to water. Especially water.
Hotels Near Anza Borrego Desert State Park
I highly recommend making Borrego Springs your home-base if you stay overnight here.
After several overnight visits, I have some favorite hotels here, too! here are the best places to stay in Borrego Springs Below.
1. The Palm Canyon Hotel and RV Resort
On my most recent visit to Borrego Springs, I stayed overnight here – and absolutely loved it. The hotel is designed like a town straight out of the Wild West. You could end up with a room in the Saloon or the Dance Hall or the Sheriff’s Station – but only in name, as per the paint job outside.
Inside, the rooms are decorated very clean, comfortable, with a touch of the wild west, too. RV parking is plentiful, and the pool (or hot tub!) is just perfect after long days in the desert. I must admit that the wifi here is somewhat spotty, but I suppose in the middle of the desert one can’t complain.
2. Borrego Springs Resort and Spa
I have also stayed overnight at the Borrego Springs Resort and Spa, and it is another great option. The motel-style rooms are comfortable, and they have a lot of amenities on site, like tennis courts, a swimming pool, and a hot tub.
Everything was comfortable and parking was a breeze. It is also reasonably close to areas that you’d likely visit within the park, like the Anza Borrego Visitor Center and the Palm Canyon Trail.
3. Borrego Valley Inn
Last but not least, the Borrego Valley Inn is a cute, southwestern style hotel reminiscent of New Mexico’s adobe inspired architecture.
It also has a great pool – something you cannot discount in the desert! – and air conditioned stylish rooms. Guests have a range of options to choose from to fit their needs, from a basic double room to a King Suite with a private jacuzzi.
Points of Interest in Anza Borrego
Font’s Point
This scenic lookout over the badlands of Anza-Borrego is one of the most beautiful spots in the park. It similar to what you might see at Death Valley National Park. It’s often referred to as the Grand Canyon of California.
A word of caution; the sandy trail off S-22 can get quite sandy. When the conditions are right, you might make it without 4-wheel drive, but I don’t recommend chancing it unless you are familiar with driving in the desert.
If you do visit, sunrise is the best time to see it. The sun bathes the jagged peaks in golden yellow. It’s a sight to see.
Galleta Meadow Sculptures
The Galleta Meadow Sculptures are a collection of more than 130 massive, larger-than-life metal creatures like dinosaurs, serpents, and other creatures stomping across the sandy brush.
This permanent art installation by Ricardo Breceda is really a stop you shouldn’t skip. It is free to view, and you’ll have a blast trying to find the scattered creatures.
Read more about their history and where to find them in this article.
The Pumpkin Patch
I became obsessed with this strange area called The Pumpkin Patch within Anza Borrego roughly a decade ago, and honestly I still find it fascinating!
This geological oddity features pumpkin-sized boulders strewn all across the desert floor, seemingly dropped from the sky. These formations are called concretions, and are formed when tiny wet specks of sandstone dry and cement around a small fragment, like a shell or leaf.
While most sandstone I’ve come across seems to erode over time, these “pumpkins” grew in size. Note that you cannot access this spot without 4WD.
Clark Dry Lake
Clark Dry Lake features that quintessential dry desert ground; cracked and patterned from the hot, heavy sun. You can walk around the dry lake bed and get some awesome photos here.
Directions: The Clark Dry Lake bed is about 10 miles from the center of Borrego Springs, off the S-22 and down Rockhouse Trail.
FAQs about Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Is Anza Borrego Desert State Park Worth Visiting?
Hands down, yes! There is a lot to see and do here, from hiking to camping to driving and stargazing. In fact, this is one of my favorite desert parks in California.
Pro Tip, it is even better if you own or rent a 4WD vehicle, simply because you can access some of the most remote areas.
How many days do you need in Anza-Borrego?
If you can spend a whole weekend in Anza Borrego, you will get to see a lot. In just two or three days time, you can hit the best hiking trails, see the metal sculptures, and stop at the best viewpoints.
What wildlife is in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park?
Anza Borrego Desert State Park is home to the typical desert wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for rattlesnakes, small scorpions, and coyotes. Anza Borrego is also home to bighorn sheep, bobcats, and cottontail rabbits.
Oftentimes you won’t get to see the animals, but if you’re quiet and watchful you might get lucky. I’ve spotted bighorns and rabbits, myself.
Is Anza-Borrego in bloom now?
At the time of writing, Anza Borrego is experiencing a superbloom. However, each spring the park will see colorful flower fields growing in certain areas of the park.
Find out more here.
What are some interesting facts about Anza-Borrego Desert State Park?
- Anza Borrego Desert State Park spans across three Southern California counties: San Diego County, Riverside County, and Imperial County.
- As the largest state park in the contiguous United States, this park spans more than 600,000 acres of desert land.
- Much of the park is completely free to access! Only certain camping and hiking areas carry a fee.
- Anza Borrego is an International Dark Sky Park, meaning you will find incredible stargazing here.
Are there rattlesnakes in Anza-Borrego?
Yes, there are four types of rattlesnakes that can be seen inside of Anza Borrego Desert State Park and the surrounding areas. You may see Sidewinders, red diamond, speckled and western rattlesnakes here, so always watch where you’re going on hiking trails.
Where To Go Next?
If you are staying overnight and have the time, I highly recommend checking out all of the fun things to do in Borrego Springs. There is a lot more to see right in this region!
If you haven’t had your fill of the desert, I highly recommend exploring Joshua Tree National Park for a completely different experience! The landscapes here are unlike anywhere else.
Or, soak in natural mineral waters in Palm Springs. You get the best of the desert and luxury all in one. Bonus, one of my all-time favorites hikes, Andreas Canyon, is also found here.
If you’d rather try out some coastal hiking, head over to Torrey Pines State Park for epic views. Or, drive even farther north and spend a day in Malibu.
Lastly, if you’re a regular hiker (or aspire to be), grab a copy of my 52 Hikes in Southern California e-book. It will give you a new hike to tackle every single week of the year!
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I hope your trip to Anza Borrego Desert State Park is everything you expect and more! I fully believe you will love this small pocket of California just as much as I do. Let me know how it goes below.
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