Anza-Borrego Desert
California · State Park
Anza-Borrego Desert is California's largest state park, known for its stunning desert landscapes, unique wildlife, and vibrant wildflower blooms in spring. The park offers numerous hiking trails and opportunities for stargazing.
Current alerts
- Partial closure — Seasonal Closure (expected to reopen October 1, 2026)
- Coyote Canyon Road Closed 5.2 Miles Ahead at 3rd Crossing. ATTENTION: PARKING IS LIMITED AT CLOSURE GATE
Campgrounds
- Arroyo Salado — first come, first served · Open year-round, first-come first-served · Primitive · Drive-in
- Blair Valley — first come, first served · Open year-round, first-come first-served · Primitive · Drive-in
- Borrego Palm Canyon (sites 1-52) — August – May · 52 sites · 758 ft · Drive-in · reserve
- Borrego Palm Canyon (sites 53-89) — Closed (checked 2026-08-01) · October – May · 37 sites · 757 ft · Drive-in · reserve
- Borrego Palm Canyon (sites 90-120) — Closed (checked 2026-08-01) · October – May · 32 sites · 880 ft · Primitive · Drive-in · reserve
- Borrego Palm Canyon Group (G1-G5) — Closed (checked 2026-08-02) · October – May · 7 tent sites · 823 ft · Group camp · Drive-in · reserve
- Culp Valley — first come, first served · Open year-round, first-come first-served · Primitive · Drive-in
- Fish Creek — first come, first served · Open year-round, first-come first-served · $20 · Primitive · Drive-in
- Mountain Palm Springs — first come, first served · Open year-round, first-come first-served · $20 · Primitive · Drive-in
- Sheep Canyon — Open (checked 2026-08-01) · first come, first served · Closed to the public June 1 – September 30 (Coyote Canyon summer closure) · $20 · Primitive · Drive-in
- Tamarisk Grove Campground — Closed (checked 2026-08-02) · October – May · 23 tent sites · 1,400 ft · Drive-in · reserve
- Vern Whitaker Horse Camp — Closed (checked 2026-08-09) · October – May · 11 tent sites · 927 ft · Equestrian · reserve
- Yaqui Pass — first come, first served · Open year-round, first-come first-served · Primitive · Drive-in
Top trails
- Maidenhair Falls via Hellhole Canyon Trail — 5.0 mi · 951 ft gain · 2h 9m · Out & back
- The Slot, Borrego Mountain Wash, and West Butte Loop — 4.6 mi · 714 ft gain · 1h 53m · Loop
- Goat Canyon Trestle Bridge via Mortero Palms — 6.1 mi · Loop
- Calcite Mine Trail — 3.8 mi · 638 ft gain · 1h 35m · Out & back
- South Fork Palm Wash Canyon Trail — 3.3 mi · Out & back
More trails here: Ghost Mountain Trail to Yaquitepec, Panorama Overlook, Elephant Trees Nature Trail, Borrego Palm Canyon Loop, Pictograph Trail, Vallecito Area, Wilson Trail, La Cima trail, Middle Willows Trail, Ocotillo Trail, Horsecamp South Trail, Lower Willows Trail, Monkey Hill Trail, Main Wash Trail, Horsecamp North Trail, Alcoholic Pass, Bow Willow-Southwest Grove, Borrego Palm Canyon Alternate, Hidden Springs Trail, Sentenac Birding Trail, Elephant Tree Nature Trail, CA Riding & Hiking Trail, Yaqui Well, Sheep Canyon Trail, VC to Hellhole Trail, Wind Caves, Bow Willow-Torote Grove, Bill Kenyon Overlook Trail, Cactus Loop Trail, Campground-Visitor Center, Old Hellhole Road Trail, MPS Southwest - Surprise Grove, BPC Campground Trail, Morteros Trail, Upper Green Valley Trail, MPS Surprise - North Grove, Pacific Crest Trail, Culp Valley ADA Trail, Panoramic Overlook Trail, Visitor Center Nature Trail, MPS Pygmy Grove, MPS Marys - North Grove, Narrows Earth Trail, MPS Torote Grove, Bow Willow, MPS North Grove.
Visiting
Fees — Vehicle Day Use: $10, Senior Day Use (62 and Older): $9, Disabled Discount Day Use: $5.
Parking: Day-use fee of $10 per vehicle applies at developed areas including the Visitor Center, The Slot, Hellhole Canyon, Mountain Palm Springs, Bow Willow, and Horse Camp. Dispersed parking throughout the open desert and along primitive roads is free.. Dogs allowed on leash. Cell service: limited. Phone: (760) 767-4205.
Typical weather
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 63°F | 46°F | 1.2 in |
| Feb | 65°F | 47°F | 1.4 in |
| Mar | 71°F | 50°F | 0.7 in |
| Apr | 77°F | 53°F | 0.3 in |
| May | 85°F | 59°F | 0.1 in |
| Jun | 94°F | 66°F | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 99°F | 74°F | 0.3 in |
| Aug | 99°F | 75°F | 0.4 in |
| Sep | 93°F | 70°F | 0.3 in |
| Oct | 82°F | 61°F | 0.3 in |
| Nov | 70°F | 52°F | 0.4 in |
| Dec | 61°F | 45°F | 0.9 in |
Top spots
- Font's Point — POI
- Borrego Palm Canyon — POI
- The Slot — POI
- Galleta Meadows Sculptures — POI
- Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves — POI
- Coyote Canyon — POI
- Split Mountain Gorge — POI
- Carrizo Badlands Overlook — POI
- Pumpkin Patch — POI
- Wind Caves — POI
Coordinates: 33.2579, -116.4059. Official website.
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