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 27, 2026

Borrego Springs Classifieds Now Open on BorregoSun.com

Borrego Springs now has its own online classifieds page, a one-stop spot to find local jobs, homes, services, and community happenings.

The Borrego Sun Classifieds page gathers listings from around the valley so residents, seasonal visitors, and newcomers can find what they need without searching a dozen websites. The page already includes job openings at Borrego Springs Unified School District, caregiver opportunities through the Community Resource Center, covered RV and container storage, a local personal driver, volunteer opportunities with community organizations, and homes for sale across Borrego Springs.

Listings are sorted into easy-to-browse categories: For Sale, Vehicles, Real Estate, Rentals & Storage, Services, Jobs, Wanted, Garage & Estate Sales, Pets & Animals, Lost & Found, Free, and Community. Readers can tap a category to see just those listings, and every ad has the contact information to call, text, or email directly.

More eyes on every listing

In the coming days, the Borrego Sun will begin actively sending readers to the Classifieds page. It will be promoted in the weekly email newsletter, which reaches 4,500 subscribers, across Borrego Sun social media, and throughout BorregoSun.com, which draws about 13,000 monthly viewers. The goal is simple: more views for the people and businesses who list with us, and an easier way for the community to find them.

Real estate listings are updated regularly, so readers can check back for new homes as they come on the market.

Place your listing

Have something to sell, a job to fill, a rental available, or a service to offer? To submit a listing, email andrea@rammediafoundation.org with:

What you’re listing and a short description
Price, if any
Your contact name, phone number, and/or email

Visit the Borrego Sun Classifieds at www.borregosun.com/classifieds

The Borrego Sun is published by Ram Media Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to amplifying local voices, keeping Borrego Springs informed and connected, and sharing the community’s story.

Learn More About Borrego Springs

Flashback: Ben Audette, the Showman Who Put Borrego Valley Airport on the Map

By Andrea McKenna • October 27, 2026

From alfalfa fields to airport lights and the 1961 Aero-Rama, one man's ambitious vision for Borrego Springs lives on in the Borrego Sun Files.

Brice Weaver Portraits is booking holiday photo sessions!

By Andrea McKenna • October 26, 2026

Local award-winning photographer brings a less traditional approach to Christmas cards and family portraits

RESULTS ARE IN! Akrofest Brings Precision Aerobatics to Borrego Springs

By Andrea McKenna • October 26, 2026

Akrofest 2026: Top Honors and Competition Results A.J. Wilder was a standout at Akrofest 2026, taking first place in both the Unlimited Power and Four Minute Free competitions at Borrego Valley Airport. Flying an Extra 330SC, Wilder earned an overall score of 80.61% in Unlimited Power and an impressive 86.70% in the Four Minute Free event. The Advanced Power competition was especially close, with Pawel Miko edging out Josh Horwich by just 4.6 points. Akrofest 2026 Division Winners Primary Power: Amber Hartenstine Sportsman Power: Michael Flagella Intermediate Power: Jodi Rueger Advanced Power: Pawel Miko Unlimited Power: A.J. Wilder Four Minute Free: A.J. Wilder The competition showcased precision aerobatic flying across multiple skill levels, bringing pilots and aviation enthusiasts together in Borrego Springs. Source: International Aerobatic Club official competition results, October 2026.

In Memory of Joan Delores Rosen

By Martin, Dirk and Marika Rosen • October 26, 2026

Joan Delores Rosen, 95, Remembered for a Life of Art, Adventure and Conservation

BSFI Free Movies -- NOVEMBER 2026 at BSPAC

By Matt Bosson, BSFI • October 25, 2026

All screenings are held on Wednesday evenings at 7pm at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center, 590 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 . Our full schedule for 2026 is posted on the BSFI website: www.borregospringsfilminstitute.org . Please check the website for the most up to date information.

Introducing Galeria el Patio

By Sally Walsh, Art Critic • October 24, 2026

Learn More About Borrego Springs

Overnight microgrid testing planned in Borrego Springs Oct. 26-29

By Alex Welling, MLS • October 24, 2026

SDG&E will conduct overnight testing of the Borrego Springs microgrid on Oct. 26, 27 and 29. The testing will require temporary power outages as crews confirm that the microgrid controller and supporting equipment can operate together as intended. Customers should prepare for: Up to two temporary outages of up to approximately 60 minutes between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. on Oct. 26 Up to two temporary outages of up to approximately 60 minutes between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. on Oct. 27 The possibility of a temporary outage between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. on Oct. 29 We appreciate the community’s patience. This testing is an important step to help ensure the microgrid can operate as intended and help reduce the impact of certain outages in Borrego Springs. The microgrid improves community resiliency but cannot prevent every outage. Pruebas nocturnas de la microrred de Borrego Springs programadas del 26 al 29 de octubre SDG&E realizará pruebas nocturnas de la microrred de Borrego Springs los días 26, 27 y 29 de octubre. Las pruebas requerirán interrupciones temporales del servicio eléctrico mientras nuestros equipos confirman que el controlador de la microrred y los equipos de apoyo pueden funcionar juntos según lo previsto. Los clientes deben prepararse para: Una interrupción temporal de hasta aproximadamente 60 minutos entre las 11 p.m. y las 4 a.m. el 26 de octubre Una interrupción temporal de hasta aproximadamente 60 minutos entre las 11 p.m. y las 4 a.m. el 27 de octubre La posibilidad de una interrupción temporal entre las 11 p.m. y las 4 a.m. el 29 de octubre Entendemos que las interrupciones del servicio pueden afectar las actividades diarias y agradecemos la paciencia de la comunidad. Estas pruebas son un paso importante para ayudar a garantizar que la microrred pueda funcionar según lo previsto y ayudar a reducir el impacto de ciertas interrupciones del servicio eléctrico en Borrego Springs. La microrred mejora la resiliencia de la comunidad, pero no puede prevenir todas las interrupciones. Alex Welling, MLS Strategic Communications Manager, Major Projects, Wildfire & Operations