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 • March 30, 2025

UPDATE: Borrego Springs Music Festival

Blue banner with orange musical notes reading “Live Music Here This Weekend!” over a park lawn with people sitting nearby.

2025 Borrego Springs Music Festival Highlights

The 2025 Borrego Springs Music Festival has wrapped up, but you can still enjoy the experience through photos and videos from the event.

Sign at outdoor table reads “Donate School Music Art” beside water jugs and chairs

Person on a tricycle at an outdoor event with seated spectators and mountains in the background

DJ at outdoor booth with headset and microphones, “The RAM” sign, American flag backdrop

Thanks to Mike Rue of The Ram Community Radio, we’re sharing some of the best moments from the festival. Check out the highlights and relive the music!

Friday March 21st

Video Credit: Mike Rue at The Ram Borrego Valley Community Radio

Saturday March 22nd

Image Credit: Mike Rue at The Ram Borrego Valley Community Radio

People relaxing on a sunny grassy lawn near a building, with an American flag and trees in the foreground.

Musician in a black hat playing a yellow electric guitar outdoors in a park

Musicians performing outdoors on a stage, with a keyboard in the foreground and a guitarist playing beside him

Three-piece band playing outdoors with teal drums, guitar, and vocals under a pavilion.

Man in a straw hat playing a guitar outdoors in a blue floral shirt

Band performing outdoors under a pavilion, with guitars, drums, and microphones onstage.

Two musicians playing acoustic guitars and singing into microphones outdoors, one in a blue cap and one in a striped cap.

People walking through a grassy park with tents, tables, and an American flag on a sunny day

Musicians performing outdoors, one singing into a microphone and another playing electric guitar.

Outdoor community gathering with seated audience, blue and red canopies, and a booth on a grassy lawn.

Band performing on an outdoor stage under a blue canopy, viewed from behind the drummer.

Outdoor band performing on a small stage, with singers and musicians under a canopy in daylight.

Sunday March 23nd

Video Credit: Mike Rue at The Ram Borrego Valley Community Radio

Borrego Springs Music Festival: Celebrating Music and Arts in the Desert

The Borrego Springs Music Festival is a cornerstone of creativity in the Borrego Springs community. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the festival is dedicated to enriching lives through music and art while fostering a deep connection to the arts in this unique desert setting.

Supporting Music and Art Education

More than just a celebration, the Borrego Springs Music Festival is committed to supporting music and art education. The festival proudly funds and operates the Borrego Academy of Music and Art (BAMA), an initiative that provides opportunities for students of all ages to explore their artistic potential.

At BAMA, students engage in a wide range of classes, including:

Music theory and sight reading
Guitar, keyboard, and drums
Acting and singing
Home recording and ukulele

With programs designed to inspire creativity, BAMA is shaping the future of the arts in Borrego Springs and beyond.

A Community-Driven Festival

The Borrego Springs Music Festival is a festival for the community, by the community, featuring artists from the community. Through its events and programs, the festival supports local music programs, performing arts education, and the Borrego Springs school district, ensuring a lasting impact on future generations.

How You Can Support

As a nonprofit organization, the Borrego Springs Music Festival relies on community support to continue its mission. Your tax-deductible donations help fund programs like BAMA and sustain local arts initiatives.

Visit the festival’s website to learn how you can: