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 • November 7, 2026

BVEF Invites Residents to Share Their Wishes for Borrego

Community survey will help guide the fund’s priorities and work with local partners.

The Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF) is conducting a community survey to learn what residents value about life in Borrego and what they would like to see improved. The organization shared this message:

What’s Your Wish for Borrego?

What do you love about life in Borrego—and what would make it better for you and your neighbors?

The Borrego Valley Endowment Fund (BVEF) wants to hear from you! Take a few minutes to share what you value, what’s missing, and where you’d like BVEF to focus. Your feedback will help inform our priorities and our work with local partners.

Take the survey: tinyurl.com/BVEFsurvey

Please share this with friends and neighbors so more voices can be part of the conversation. Thank you for helping shape Borrego’s future!