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 • August 8, 2026

60th Annual Borrego Days Desert Festival Returns October 17–18

VISIT BORREGO DAYS WEBSITE!

The countdown is on for Borrego Days 2026!

The 60th Annual Borrego Days Desert Festival will take place October 17–18, 2026, bringing two days of free entertainment, a hometown parade, live music, cultural performances, art, food, family activities and more to Borrego Springs.

Produced by the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce, the annual festival will be held at Christmas Circle Community Park on Palm Canyon Drive. Admission and parking are free.

Saturday Starts with National Anthem, Flyover and Parade

Saturday, October 17, begins with a whirlwind of activity along Palm Canyon Drive.

The National Anthem and flyover begin at 8:45 a.m., followed by the Borrego Days Parade at 9 a.m. The parade travels down Palm Canyon Drive and ends at Christmas Circle.

The theme for the 60th annual parade is “Reach for the Stars.”

Festival activities continue Saturday until 6:30 p.m.

Free live entertainment will be offered throughout the day, including DJs, PHT and the Honky Tonk Nights, followed by Nacho Bustillos & Band, performing in both English and Spanish.

Sunday Features Music and Cultural Performances

Borrego Days continues Sunday, October 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday entertainment includes Ballet Folklorico dancers, Mariachi Estrella, and music from the Borrego Academy of Music and Art.

Art, Food, Kids' Activities and Car Show

Festivalgoers can experience much more than the parade and live entertainment throughout the weekend.

Activities and attractions include art exhibits, a kids' zone, food vendors, artisans, educational displays, an adult beer garden and a free-to-enter car show.

The Borrego Days Desert Festival is a family-friendly event with activities and entertainment for all ages.

Experience Borrego Springs

Borrego Springs is located in the unincorporated area of San Diego County and was the second community in the world to receive International Dark Sky Community designation.

It is also home to the approximately 600,000-acre Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the world-famous Galleta Meadows Sky Art metal sculptures.

Visitors to Borrego Springs can explore hiking, biking and equestrian trails along with arts and culture, shopping, dining, historic downtown walks, a Certified Farmers Market and community festivals.

Other attractions and activities include the Borrego Springs Film Festival, art festivals, top-ranked golf, camping, glamping, resorts, tennis, mid-century modern architecture and expansive desert views.

Additional visitor information and a Borrego Springs visitors guide are available at VisitBorrego.com.

60th Annual Borrego Days Festival Details

Event: 60th Annual Borrego Days Desert Festival

Dates: October 17–18, 2026

Saturday: 8:45 a.m.–6:30 p.m.

Sunday: 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m.

National Anthem and Flyover: Saturday at 8:45 a.m. on Palm Canyon Drive

Parade: Saturday at 9 a.m. on Palm Canyon Drive

2026 Parade Theme: Reach for the Stars

Festival Location: Christmas Circle Community Park, Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA 92004

Admission: Free

Parking: Free parking is available surrounding Christmas Circle and within walking distance of the festival.

Festival Information: BorregoDays.com or 760-767-5555

Media representatives are invited to attend.

About Borrego Days

The Borrego Days Desert Festival is a project of the Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce & Welcome Center, which has served the needs of the Borrego Springs community since 1950.

The festival is presented with the support of its 501(c)(3) public benefit fiscal sponsor, the Borrego Festivals Foundation (BFF.NGO).

More information about the Chamber is available at BorregoSpringsChamber.com, and visitor information is available at VisitBorrego.com.

Media Contact

For media inquiries, photographs or interviews:

Françoise Rhodes
Executive Director
Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce
786 Palm Canyon Drive
Borrego Springs, CA 92004
760-767-5555
borregochamberdirector@gmail.com
BorregoSpringsChamber.com

Learn More About Borrego Springs

Puttin’ on the Glitz Gala to Support Performing Arts in Borrego Springs

By BSPAC • November 13, 2026

Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center is seeking sponsors for its November 21 fundraiser

Borrego Springs Honors Veterans at Christmas Circle

By Andrea McKenna • November 12, 2026

American Legion Post 853 hosted Borrego Springs’ Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, November 11, at the Christmas Circle Community Park bandstand.

SLOWJAMASTAN CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE WITH HISTORIC TERRITORIAL EXPANSION

By Robert Dobalina, Slowjamastan • November 12, 2026

World-Famous Micronation to Announce Five-Acre Expansion, Unveil Two New States During November 14 Jubilee The Republic of Slowjamastan is celebrating its fifth anniversary of independence with a historic announcement: the nation is expanding its territory by nearly 50 percent. On Saturday, November 14, from 1–3 PM, Slowjamastan will host its 5th Anniversary of Independence Jubilee, featuring the official announcement and ribbon-cutting ceremony for five newly acquired acres of land, one for each year of independence. The five additional acres, contiguous with the nation's existing 11-acre territory, bring Slowjamastan's total footprint to 16 acres. The public is invited to participate in the festivities, which include: • Historic ribbon-cutting celebrating Slowjamastan's territorial expansion. • Two new states officially commemorated within the nation. • Visa-free entry for the first 10,000 visitors. Crocs remain strictly prohibited. • Free Cactus Cooler while supplies last. • Meet and greet with The Sultan and the Chief of the Porder Batrol. "Five years. Five acres. Sixteen acres of freedom, questionable legislation, and absolutely no Crocs," said The Sultan. "Most countries celebrate anniversaries with cake. We bought more country." Founded in 2021, the Republic of Slowjamastan has attracted worldwide media attention for its unconventional approach to nation-building, complete with its own government, passports, border checkpoints, and national traditions. EVENT DETAILS What: Slowjamastan's 5th Anniversary of Independence Jubilee When: Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 1–3 PM Where: Republic of Slowjamastan, Imperial County, California. See slowjamastan.org/location Admission: Free Learn more about Slowjamastan: www.slowjamastan.org MEDIA CONTACT Robert Dobalina bob@slowjamastan.org