How big is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park?

More than 600,000 acres, or roughly 1,000 square miles. It is the largest state park in California and the third largest in the United States, spanning parts of San Diego, Riverside and Imperial counties.

How much does it cost to enter Anza-Borrego?

Day use is $10 per vehicle, collected at the Visitor Center, developed campgrounds and several popular trailheads including The Slot and Hellhole Canyon. The park has no entrance gates and much of it can be accessed without a fee.

When is wildflower season at Anza-Borrego?

Annual wildflowers can appear from January through mid-April, with peak bloom most often between late February and early April. Timing varies year to year based on rainfall and temperature.

Is Anza-Borrego a Dark Sky Park?

Yes. The park was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2018 at Silver tier. Borrego Springs, the town at its center, has been an International Dark Sky Community since 2009, the first in California.

Do I need four-wheel drive at Anza-Borrego?

Not for the paved roads, the Visitor Center or the main campgrounds. The vast majority of the park's roughly 500 miles of dirt roads do require a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park open at night?

Yes, the park is open 24 hours a day, year-round. The Visitor Center is open daily 9am to 5pm October through May, and weekends and holidays only June through September.

Andrea McKenna • July 5, 2026

Christmas Circle Turns 25: A Look Back at Borrego in 1977 | Historic Borrego Sun

January 20, 1977

Xmas circle 25 years old

By VIRGINIA DeMARAIS

Under the supervision of A. A. Burnand Jr., the $10,000 Christmas Circle fountain was nearing completion 25 years ago this month. The fountain is in memory of J. A. Di Giorgio, pioneer agricultural developer of Borrego Springs.

Other events twenty-five years ago: Lucy Hillyer of Borrego Springs is the new president of the North San Diego County Chamber of Commerce.

Bill DeMarais was installed as president of the Borrego Springs Kiwanis Club. Other officers are L. W. Lindherr, vice-president; Fred Gardner, treasurer and Roy Gentel, secretary. Membership of the club is 32.

The Cliff Boren Construction Company of San Diego has completed three new homes. Hal Martinez reports a start on a three-bedroom home for William Sanderson near the Desert Lodge. Harry LeClaire, tract manager for the Borrego Springs Company, reports 20 parcels of land sold during the holidays, totaling $50,000.

Work has started on straightening Banner Summit Grade, reports Hugh Woods, vice-president of the Highway 78 Association.

The Borrego Springs Square Dance Club is meeting at Hoberg’s Desert Resort. Wick Hauser is caller and teacher, Dick Wear – manager.

Girl Scout Troop 441 of Borrego Springs serenaded the valley with Christmas carols, under the supervision of Mrs. Ralph Bell, Girl Scout leader, and Mrs. Charles Broeske, assistant.

Mrs. Lola LeBard has started construction of a house and trailer court at Sunny Acres on Split Mountain Road.

Borrego starts the new year with 18 telephones in the valley.

Cover girl for the recently published Redbook Magazine is Dolores Smith Dalzell, daughter of the Borrego mail carrier, George C. Smith.

Chamber of Commerce president Hugh Woods reports discussions at meeting of possibility of a bank by Perry Burnand, and suggestions and ideas on promoting television reception in the valley.

Birdies are not eagles!

Our typewriter slipped when we said W. D. Johnston got an eagle 3 on the par 4 18th hole at De Anza in the last edition. It was, of course, an eagle 2.

A review of 1961

A review of 1961 indicates several construction projects: Bill Furlong’s El Patio Shopping Center; a new Post Office; Norman Gilbert’s Building Service Center; the new Road Department Station on Borrego Valley Road; a nearly completed drive-in cafe for J. J. Svoboda; a new swimming pool and remodeling of six units at La Casa del Zorro; a swimming pool added at the Park ’n Plunge; Sun and Shadows, grown to four duplex units and a swimming pool; seven new homes at De Anza Desert Country Club and construction started on expansion of clubhouse; a new subdivision “SunGold” opened by Carlson-Corey Co.

This has been sale month: the Borrego Pharmacy was sold to Arthur Holzman, Hacienda del Sol sold to Donald King-Ellison, Borrego Village sold to Thomas Beaudry, Ed Rogers took over the painting business of Denis Such, the Chevron Station was taken over by Hugh Woods, the Union Station sold to Jack Barling.

New openings were the Carlson-Corey Realty Company, the Marga-Reta Remembrance Shop, the Bottle Shop, the Bantam Market, and the Lazy V. Cafe.

Service seminar

Eleven local men recently were given certificates for attending a special electronic ignition service seminar sponsored by J & R Auto Supply in Borrego Springs. The seminar was designed to familiarize them with the new automotive electronic ignition systems, according to John A. Bowley of J & R.

Besides Bowley, participants included Ted Townsend of Borrego Automotive; Joe Romas and John Guelke of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park; Billy Lawrence and Thomas Heiser of Borrego Springs Fire Department; John Petrich, Union 76 station; Paul Dellostrillo, Earl Cartier and Dale Cartier of Cartier Mobile Service; Angus Smith of De Anza Country Club, and Henry Barling Jr., Borrego Springs Dump Truck Service.

Ewe goes to L.A.

The body of the Bighorn sheep ewe that was found in possession of a man on Montezuma Grade was donated to the Los Angeles County Museum and will become part of a diorama there.

Salton Sea steady

The Salton Sea water level (-229.3 feet) has remained at that level from Sept. 30 to early December, according to Craig Engel, manager of the State Parks Department Salton Sea Area.

Engel said this indicates that “perhaps the water monitoring, higher water rates and fines imposed by the Irrigation District are working.”

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These documents are part of the Borrego Sun materials acquired by Ram Media Foundation. Separately, Borrego Sun archives are being preserved and digitized by the San Diego History Center, ensuring that decades of Borrego Springs history will be preserved for future generations.

To support the future of local media and preserve the past, please contact Andrea at andrea@rammediafoundation.org.