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 • July 1, 2026

Stargazing Season Has Arrived in Borrego Springs

Don't Miss These Summer Night Sky Events

Borrego Springs is an International Dark Sky Community, offering some of the best stargazing in Southern California. Warm summer nights and minimal light pollution make it the perfect place to enjoy the night sky.

July Sky Highlights

July 6: Crescent Moon & Venus after sunset
July 16: Moon & Saturn in the evening sky
July 28–29: Southern Delta Aquariid Meteor Shower peaks
July 29: Full Buck Moon

Looking Ahead

July 17 – August 24: Perseid Meteor Shower
Peak Viewing: August 12–13
Up to 30–50 meteors per hour under dark skies.

For a guided experience, join Dennis Mammana's Borrego Night Sky Tours for telescope viewing, astronomy, and stories beneath the stars.

Whether you're in your backyard, at a campground, or exploring the desert, Borrego Springs is one of the best places to look up and enjoy the night sky.

Meteor Shower Calendar 2026-2027

Learn more about Borrego Springs dark skies at:
https://abdnha.org/darksky/sky/