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 • June 6, 2024

Aurora Borealis Visible in Borrego Springs

BORREGO SPRINGS in white text over a purple-to-pink gradient background

Northern Lights Dazzle Over Borrego Springs

October 10, 2024, Borrego Springs experienced a rare northern lights display, with delicate purple and pink hues illuminating the desert sky. While breathtaking, the aurora is best viewed through a camera or cell phone, as modern devices are more sensitive to light than the human eye, capturing the colors and details more vividly.

This phenomenon occurs when solar energy interacts with Earth's magnetic field. Though uncommon in Borrego Springs, future solar storms may bring the aurora back—stay updated by following space weather forecasts.

Lights Over Borrego Springs: Captured by Dennis Mammana

Dennis Mammana, an expert in capturing the wonders of the night sky, has shared a breathtaking view of the northern lights illuminating over Borrego Springs. Check out his post below to see the stunning imagery of this rare event.

Northern lights (aurora borealis): what they are and how to see them

Dennis is an astronomy author and syndicated columnist, public speaker, and night sky photographer.

Night sky glowing red with aurora over silhouetted palm trees and a quiet landscape

Astronomer Dennis Mammana is in Borrego Springs, Ca.

"With the "real" camera I managed to pick up some vertical rays at around 7:20 p.m. PDT... will have to head back out to see if anything new develops!

It's not visible to the normal eye, but if you're used to seeing a very dark night sky it's just barely detectable as a deep red glow.

www.facebook.com/DennisMammana

Why Northern Lights Look Brighter on Camera

"The difference likely lies in your camera's lens, not the Aurora itself. Your eyes aren't as sensitive to light as a camera phone, which captures more light in a photograph. Modern phones, like newer iPhone models, enhance nighttime photography, making auroras appear even more vivid than what you see with your own eyes" (King5)

G4 levels reached again! CME progression will continue overnight with periods of weakening and some escalation possible in geomagnetic storm levels. The G4 Watch remains in effect for 11 Oct and all applicable warnings remain in place. Visit https://t.co/YLUbTRMxS6 for the latest pic.twitter.com/rthy2vufUe
— NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (@NWSSWPC) October 10, 2024