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 • October 4, 2026

A Joyful October Tradition: Blessing of the Animals 2026

The annual BMA gathering celebrated beloved animals with prayer and individual blessings.

The Borrego Ministers Association (BMA) held its annual Blessing of the Animals at Christmas Circle on Saturday, October 3, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Christmas Circle was still fenced off as work continued on irrigation upgrades and preparations for fall lawn reseeding, but the beloved October tradition carried on. The park improvements aim to make watering more efficient and support its lawns, trees and landscaping.

Father Dave and Pastor Mateo opened the event with prayer. Father Emilio then joined the gathering to bless animals for the remainder of the event.

Inspired by St. Francis of Assisi’s love for animals and creation, the annual blessing offers a time to recognize the companionship, comfort and joy animals bring to our lives.

Some of the messages shared during the service included:

Gratitude for animals and the affection and companionship they offer.
Our responsibility to care for creation, protecting animals and treating them with kindness.
God’s covenant with every living creature, reflected in the reading from Genesis.
The beauty and variety of creation, celebrated in Psalm 104.
Hope for creation’s renewal, expressed in the reading from Romans.

St. Francis of Assisi (1181–1226) was an Italian Catholic friar known for his love of nature, humility, peace, and service to the poor. He founded the Franciscan Order and is often remembered as the patron saint of animals and the environment.

He is famous for teaching compassion toward all living things and for the prayer often associated with him:

"Lord, make me an instrument of your peace."

Today, St. Francis is widely admired by people of many faiths for his simple life, kindness, and respect for creation.

Learn More About Borrego Springs

Treffpunks Rolls Into Borrego Springs

By Andrea McKenna • October 3, 2026

Vintage Volkswagens roll into Borrego Springs for a weekend built around driving, desert roads and community.

Flashback: The Night a Missile Test Lit Up Borrego’s Sky

By Borrego Sun Staff • October 3, 2026

Photo: Porter Tinsley - Less Than Amateur

Taste of the Backcountry | Where the Road Leads to Great Food

By Michael's in Borrego • October 2, 2026

Join us for Taste of the Backcountry, a culinary showcase.

Studio 628 Opens the Season with “Mixed Tempos”

By Andrea McKenna • October 1, 2026

Six artists come together for a collective exhibition, with an opening reception October 24 in Borrego Springs. Gary Henderson Interiors Studio 628 will celebrate its season opening with Mixed Tempos, a collective exhibition featuring Kevin Goddess, Victoria Johnson, Kippi Leonard, Robert Landry, Wil Gardner and Marcy Gregory. The opening reception takes place Saturday, October 24, from 5–7 p.m. at Studio 628, located at 628 Palm Canyon Drive in Borrego Springs. Bringing six artists together in one exhibition, Mixed Tempos offers visitors an opportunity to explore their work and welcome the return of the local gallery season. The evening will also include a sneak preview of Galeria el Patio, adding another reason to stop by and see what’s ahead. Community members and visitors are invited to join the celebration, enjoy the exhibition and spend an evening connecting with Borrego Springs’ arts community. Opening reception: Saturday, October 24, 5–7 p.m. Location: Gary Henderson Interiors Studio 628, 628 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs