Anza-Borrego Desert State Park®
CA
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Anza-Borrego is California's largest state park at 600,000 acres, covering most of eastern San Diego County in the Colorado Desert. It has 500 miles of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas, and a designated International Dark Sky park centered on Borrego Springs. Most visitors come in spring for wildflowers; the regulars come back in October when the desert cools and they have the canyons to themselves.
Details
- 🏞️Type
- State Park
- 🏛️Managed by
- California State Parks
- 📍State
- CA
- 🗺️Address
- Borrego Springs, CA, 92004
- 📞Phone
- (760) 767-4205
- 🕐Hours
- Visitor Center-open 7 days a week from 9 a.m. -5 p.m. including holidays from October 1-May 31. Visitor Center Parking lot: open 7 days a week including holidays from 7am-7pm Borrego Palm Canyon Campground, Tamarisk Grove Campground and Vern Whitaker is open, and reservations can be made on ReserveCalifornia.com
- 🐾Pets Allowed
- Yes
- 📡GPS
- 33.09554, -116.30190
The Place
The park stretches from the Salton Sea basin to the spine of the Peninsular Ranges. Slot canyons cut through the badlands, fan palms cluster around springs, bighorn sheep work the rocky ridges, and in strong rain years the flats around Borrego Springs and Henderson Canyon Road glow with sand verbena, desert sunflower, and dune evening primrose. The visitor center is at the west end of Palm Canyon Drive in Borrego Springs; the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail (3 miles roundtrip) starts there, though the first palm grove was damaged by fire and the trail now ends at a viewpoint.
This is a desert. Carry at least a gallon of water per person per day. Summer temperatures hit 125°F. Cell service is extremely limited.
When to Go
October through April is the workable window. Winter nights are cold; pack layers. Wildflower season runs January through April depending on rainfall, with peak bloom typically mid-February to mid-March. March is the busiest month; late February and April are quieter. Check current bloom reports before making the drive.
Getting There
Borrego Springs is the main hub, roughly 90 minutes from San Diego and 2 hours from Palm Springs. Most approaches are via Highways S22, S2, or 78. AWD or high-clearance is recommended for the dirt roads; 4WD required for some routes. Use "Anza Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center" in navigation apps to avoid getting routed onto a 4WD track. Day-use: $10 per vehicle.
What to Do
Borrego Palm Canyon Trail is the most-visited hike. The badlands around Font's Point require driving a rough dirt road but deliver otherworldly eroded terrain. Henderson Canyon Road and DiGiorgio Road are the main wildflower corridors. Free dispersed camping is permitted throughout most of the park with no permit required. The dark sky designation makes Borrego Springs a legitimate stargazing destination.
Reservations & Fees
Borrego Palm Canyon Campground: $35/night tents, $45/night RV with hookups; reserve via ReserveCalifornia (open October through May). Tamarisk Grove: $35/night tents, $70/night cabins. Primitive campgrounds (Bow Willow, Mountain Palm Springs, etc.): $20/night. Free open desert camping available in designated areas. Leashed dogs permitted.