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 • September 13, 2024

Annual Blessing of the Animals in Borrego Springs

Celebrating the Bond Between Humans and Animals

Each October, the Borrego Ministers Association (BMA) hosts the annual Blessing of the Animals, a cherished tradition where pets of all shapes and sizes, along with their human companions, receive a special blessing. Rooted in the teachings of St. Francis of Assisi, this ceremony celebrates the deep connection between humans and animals, highlighting our shared responsibility to care for all of God’s creatures.

Borrego Ministers Association Blessing of the Animals - Fr Dave Madsen of St. Barnabas Episcopal Church

Borrego Ministers Association Blessing of the Animals - Pastor Mateo Mamea - Borrego Springs Community United Methodist Church

The BMA, a coalition of local churches and community leaders, is committed to fostering unity and addressing the spiritual needs of the Borrego Springs community. Events like the Blessing of the Animals provide an inclusive, joyful opportunity for residents and visitors alike to come together, celebrate the companionship animals provide, and strengthen the bonds within the community.

Whether you're a local or visiting the area, all are welcome to bring their pets for a heartfelt blessing.

Event Details

Location: Christmas Circle, Borrego Springs

Date: Check Back for 2025 Dates! (Date Varies in October)

Time: 10am

Stay tuned each year for updated times and locations for this beloved tradition. Be sure to mark your calendar and celebrate the special role that animals play in our lives!

Learn More About Borrego Springs

Borrego, November 1949: Ten Cents a Copy

By Andrea McKenna • November 2, 2026

Actor Jon Hall, Borrego’s new honorary marshal (center), with the October 1949 Borrego Sun at the opening of Hoberg’s Desert Resort. From left: Sun publisher Paul Strand, Paramount starlet Mari Blanchard, actress Beverly Tyler and Jack Benson of Benson Tours. Photo by Gaylord Johnson, Borrego Sun, November 1949. Courtesy of the Fred Jee Collection.

Old Borego Open House Celebrates the Valley’s Historic Heart

By Martha Deichler • October 31, 2026

Please join the Civic Foundation for its annual Old Borego Days celebration No, Borrego is not misspelled in the title above. This is the way Borrego was spelled back in 1928, when the first post office opened in what is now called “Old Borego.” The site is located at 1580 Rango Way. Please join the Civic Foundation for its annual Old Borego Days celebration of the historic heart of the Borrego Valley on Sunday, November 8, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The turnoff from Rango Way will be marked with a sign. Please note that no restrooms are available. Visitors will be able to enter the old post office and general store, originally run by Eslie Wynn, and view a fascinating video from the 1950s extolling the virtues of life in Borrego Springs. One of the first homes in Borrego Springs will also be open for public viewing, offering a nostalgic look back at life in the community’s earlier years. In addition, Borrego Springs Elementary School fourth graders, who study California history, will have their essays on display. Three students will receive awards for their writing on “Borego Now and Then.” Ram Media Foundation, the nonprofit behind the Borrego Sun, will also share display items from its archive, offering another glimpse into the valley’s past. Old Borego Days Sunday, November 8, 2026 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. 1580 Rango Way, Borrego Springs