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 • July 28, 2024

Borrego Springs Library: A Gold LEED-Certified

Nestled in the heart of Borrego Springs, the Borrego Springs Library is more than just a place for books—it's a shining example of sustainable design and environmental stewardship. In a community that deeply values its unique desert ecosystem, the library stands as a testament to what can be achieved when innovative design meets community needs.

Things to do at the Borrego Springs Public Library: Upcoming Events

LEED Gold Certification: A Commitment to Excellence

In March 2020, the Borrego Springs Library earned the prestigious LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, a mark of excellence in sustainable building practices. LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely recognized green building certification in the world. The library scored 61 points across various sustainability categories, including energy efficiency, water use reduction, and sustainable site development.

Zero Net Energy: Leading by Example

One of the standout features of the Borrego Springs Library is its status as a Zero Net Energy (ZNE) building. This means the library produces as much energy as it consumes, an impressive feat in the harsh climate of the Anza-Borrego Desert.

The building's energy efficiency is achieved through a combination of design elements, such as solar shading, daylight harvesting, and a highly durable building envelope. On-site renewable energy is generated by solar panels, ensuring that the library remains energy-neutral year-round.

The library also serves as a community cool zone, providing a safe, air-conditioned environment during extreme heat events. This dual role as both a library and an emergency resource adds another layer of complexity to maintaining its ZNE status, requiring careful energy modeling and planning.

Embodied Carbon and Sustainable Construction

The library’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond energy efficiency. The building was constructed using embodied carbon techniques, which reduce the overall carbon footprint by selecting materials that require less energy to produce and transport. For instance, the use of low-carbon concrete and timber minimizes the environmental impact of the construction process.

A Community-Centered Design

The design of the Borrego Springs Library was heavily influenced by community input, ensuring that the building would meet the needs and values of Borrego Springs residents. The library is not just a place to read; it’s a community hub that offers meeting spaces, educational programs, and a connection to the desert’s unique environment.

The library’s design even incorporates elements inspired by the celestial skies, such as a galaxy plaza at the entrance, making it a true reflection of the local culture and landscape.

Awards and Recognition

The Borrego Springs Library’s achievements in sustainable design have not gone unnoticed. The building has been honored with multiple awards, including the 2019 AIA San Diego Energy Efficiency & Integration Award, the 2019 Orchid Award from the San Diego Architectural Foundation, and Zero Energy Certification from the International Living Future Institute.

For more information about the Borrego Springs Library and its sustainability features, you can explore the following links:

BNBuilders: Borrego Springs Library, Park, and Sheriff’s Station

RNT Architects: Borrego Springs County Library and Park

Stok: Borrego Springs Library Case Study

EV Charger at Borrego Springs Public Library

The Borrego Springs Library is a hub for learning and community events, and it also supports eco-friendly transportation with an on-site EV charging station. This ChargePoint station offers affordable charging at $0.25 per kWh, with free parking. The 6.48 kW station features a J-1772 connector, making it compatible with most electric vehicles.

To learn more about the Borrego Springs Public Library and its significance as a community resource, click here.

What is LEED Certification?

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized certification system that promotes sustainable building practices. It evaluates the impact of buildings on the environment, aiming to reduce resource usage, waste, and emissions while improving energy efficiency and indoor air quality.

LEED certification assesses key areas such as:

Water use and efficiency
Greenhouse gas emissions
Indoor air quality
Use of recycled materials
Resource utilization

Buildings earn points based on their performance in these areas, with a total of 110 points available. The certification levels are:

LEED Certified: 40-49 points
LEED Silver: 50-59 points
LEED Gold: 60-79 points
LEED Platinum: 80+ points

To learn more about the specific points and categories, visit USGBC's points system.

Learn More About Borrego Springs

Borrego Springs Groundwater Use Falls 45% Below Allowed Limit

By Borrego Springs Watermaster • November 4, 2026

Borrego Springs is making major progress in groundwater conservation. See the latest numbers and what they mean for the valley’s future.

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

Supervisor Desmond Joins the Crowd at the 60th Annual Borrego Days Parade

By Andrea McKenna • October 18, 2026

Supervisor Jim Desmond waves to the crowd at the 60th annual Borrego Days parade on Saturday, October 17.

Nearly 200 Attend SDG&E Powerlink Open House in Borrego Springs

By Andrea McKenna • October 15, 2026

SDG&E reported about 189 attendees and 29 staff at the 4 to 7 p.m. event, which followed a similar open house at the El Centro Community Center the day before.

BORREGO OUTFITTERS INVITES COMMUNITY TO ANNUAL BORREGO DAYS HOT DOG COOKOUT

By Borrego Outfitters • October 13, 2026

Sheri Garcia and Ben Nourse work the grill during a previous Borrego Days Hot Dog Cookout at Borrego Outfitters. The annual community event returns Saturday, October 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

October 14: Borrego Springs Gets Its Chance to Be Heard

By J. David Garmon, M.D. President, Tubb Canyon Desert Conservancy • October 13, 2026

SDG&E will come to Borrego Springs on Wednesday, October 14, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m

Flashback: When Borrego Grew Gladioli for the West Coast

By Andrea McKenna • October 12, 2026

Photo: From the 2015 Borrego Sun online edition, "Borrego Springs - April 1956, Acres Of Blooms"

Flashback: Guest Chef Nights at the Desert Club, 1955

By Andrea McKenna • October 11, 2026

From the Borrego Sun online edition, 2015 - In this photo, Chef Jacobs looks over a menu with Beverly Burnand and Mrs. Ron Chaney.

A Yacht Club in the Borrego Desert

By Andrea McKenna • September 28, 2026

Borrego Springs Yacht Club Brings Model Sailboat Racing to Rams Hill Borrego Springs is home to an unusual desert pastime: model yacht racing. The Borrego Springs Yacht Club was founded in 2010 by Steve Luckman and Dennis Daoust. The club has grown to about 40 members and operates at a pond on the former nine-hole golf course at Rams Hill. Members race V32 sailboats, 32-inch non-motorized model boats controlled remotely through their sails and rudders. The boats were manufactured in California for decades but are no longer in production. Races typically draw 16 to 20 boats, with courses marked by duck decoys used as buoys. The racing season runs from November through May, although members can practice throughout the year. Six club events are held during the season, including Opening Day in November, the Pacific Cap in January, the Invitational in February, the Misplace Race in March, the Powder Puff in April and the Tequila Bowl in May. Winners receive trophies that are held until the next event. The club also maintains a palapa-style clubhouse and hillside seating overlooking the pond, providing space for members and spectators during race days. Membership was listed at $250 per year. The Borrego Springs Yacht Club offers a distinctive local version of sailing, combining competition, model boat craftsmanship and community activity in the desert. If you have any interest, contact Dennis Daoust at captain-havoc@earthlink.net .

The History of The Mall in Borrego Springs

By Andrea McKenna • September 26, 2026

Mid-century design and a community vision that began in 1965.

Pegleg Pointers: A 1998 Look at the Pegleg Smith Liars Contest | Historic Borrego Sun

By Phil Brigandi • September 13, 2026

This column first ran ahead of the 50th annual Pegleg Smith Liars Contest in April 1998. Phil Brigandi, a longtime desert historian and four-time contest winner, died in 2019.

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