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.

Shandel Sutherland • November 30, 2023

A Boy’s UFO Encounter: Borrego Springs

John Yost’s life changed forever in 1973 with a bizarre encounter in his Pittsburgh home. Years later, while working in Borrego Springs, CA, a UFO sighting rekindled these memories, propelling him on a quest for truth.

Interview with UFO Experiencer and Filmmaker John Yost

How John Yost’s Childhood Encounter with the Extraordinary Led to a Breakthrough UFO Documentary

Quick Take: John Yost’s life changed forever in 1973 with a bizarre encounter in his Pittsburgh home. Years later, while working in Borrego Springs, CA, a UFO sighting rekindled these memories, propelling him on a quest for truth. His journey culminated in the acclaimed documentary “Alien Abduction Answers,” exploring his and others’ extraterrestrial experiences.

A Night to Remember: A Young Boy’s Unbelievable Encounter

In the quiet of a 1973 Pittsburgh night, young John Yost’s life took an unexpected turn. Waking for a midnight drink, he encountered the unthinkable in his own home – a visit from Ultraman, the superhero from his beloved TV show. This bewildering experience left young John in a state of shock and wonder.

The Mysterious Visitor: Ultraman in Pittsburgh

The surreal encounter went beyond mere imagination. In the dead of night, as Ultraman stood before him, John felt a peculiar sense of being unmoored, surrounded by a whirl of colors. A disorienting swap of positions with the superhero led to John tumbling down the stairs, an event that alarmed his entire family.

Unexplained Mark: The Physical Proof of an Unearthly Visit

The aftermath of the encounter brought more mystique. A strange mark on John’s shoulder, exactly where Ultraman touched him, baffled both him and his family. Despite his father’s insistence on silence regarding the incident, this mark stood as a silent testament to the event’s reality.

A Secret Buried Deep

John adhered to his parents’ directive, locking away this extraordinary memory. It became a hidden chapter of his life as he grew up and embarked on a stable career with the Department of the Treasury.

Finding His True Calling: A Shift to Show Business

However, the conventional path didn’t hold John for long. Realizing his passion lay in the creative world of television and film, he took a bold leap, transitioning to a career that saw him rubbing shoulders with showbiz elites and crafting various TV shows and commercials.

Borrego Springs: The Past Reawakens

It was during a filming project in Borrego Springs, CA, that John’s past resurfaced dramatically. A mysterious light in the desert sky, identified as a UFO, triggered a flood of repressed memories, sending John on a quest for understanding.

The Road to Discovery: Hypnosis and Revelation

John’s search for answers led him to hypnosis, unraveling the tightly wound memories of his childhood. This exploration brought clarity and a sense of belonging in a community of individuals with similar experiences.

“Alien Abduction Answers”: A Unique Perspective

Channeling his experiences into a documentary, John created “Alien Abduction Answers,” a film unique in its perspective – not of an expert, but of an experiencer. The film garnered critical acclaim, positioning John as a key figure in the UFO discourse.

Recognition and Impact

Released in 2022, John’s documentary quickly amassed rave reviews and accolades, marking him as a prominent figure in the UFO community. His personal journey resonated with many, leading to appearances at conventions and media events.

Embracing the Unknown

John Yost’s transformation from a young boy in Pittsburgh experiencing the unexplainable to a celebrated UFO documentary filmmaker is a tale of embracing the unknown and finding one’s true calling. His journey from fear and confusion to hope and curiosity is a source of inspiration.

“Alien Abduction Answers” Official Site : Visit the official website for John Yost’s documentary. Here, you can find detailed information about the film, behind-the-scenes insights, and options to watch or purchase the documentary.

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Close-up of an elephant’s wrinkled face, with only the eyes visible in shadow.

Shadows in the Desert: High Strangeness in the Borrego Triangle

By Shandel Sutherland • January 6, 2024

A Gateway to the Unknown: The Borrego Triangle Nestled in the heart of Southern California's Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a zone steeped in mystery and unexplained phenomena, known as the Borrego Triangle. Coined by paranormal researchers David Flora and Derek Hayes in 2019, this region has become a focal point for those intrigued by the unordinary. Stretching from Hemet to the western edges of the Salton Sea and down to the US-Mexico border near Jacumba Hot Springs, the Borrego Triangle is a tapestry of enigmatic tales and sightings. A Canvas of Mysteries The Borrego Triangle is a melting pot of paranormal activities, ranging from Sasquatch sightings to spine-chilling ghost stories and UFO encounters. An article in the 1964 Desert Magazine brought to light a retired U.S. Marine's encounter with giant humanoid footprints in this desert. The area has since been a hub for both local and visitor accounts of UFO sightings, and ghostly tales have been part of its lore since the 19th century. "Shadows in the Desert": A Paranormal Deep-Dive Borrego Springs residents and enthusiasts of the unknown, mark your calendars for March 5, 2024! The feature-length documentary "Shadows in the Desert: High Strangeness in the Borrego Triangle" promises to take you on a journey through this mysterious region. Crafted by the minds behind the Monsters Among Us and Blurry Photos podcasts, this documentary explores the myriad of unexplained events that have occurred in the Borrego Triangle. Visit this website to learn about streaming information: WHERE TO STREAM For more updates and details about the documentary, you can follow the Monsters Among Us Podcast on their Instagram at @monstersamonguspodcast . Keep an eye on their posts for more information about the TV release and any additional details they share leading up to the premiere.