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 • August 28, 2024

Camping in Borrego Springs: Everything You Need to Know

Visitors to Borrego Springs who are looking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the desert will find camping to be an ideal option.

The surrounding Anza-Borrego State Park offers a unique opportunity to camp for free in its vast, open spaces, provided you adhere to a few simple guidelines.

Free Camping in Anza-Borrego State Park

Anza-Borrego State Park is one of the few places in California where you can camp for free just about anywhere in the park.

Here are the conditions you need to follow to enjoy this incredible experience:

Vehicle Parking: You are allowed to camp anywhere in the park as long as your vehicle is not parked more than one vehicle length off the road. While you must park close to the road, you are free to walk further into the desert to set up your campsite.

Distance from Water Sources: To protect the fragile desert ecosystem, your camp must be set up at least 100 yards from any water source. This helps ensure that wildlife has access to the water they need to survive.

Fire Regulations: Ground fires are prohibited to prevent damage to the desert floor. However, you can still enjoy a campfire as long as it is contained in a metal container. This rule helps protect the park while still allowing you to have a traditional camping experience.

Bring Your Own Firewood: The desert is a fragile environment, and gathering wood from the area can have a significant impact. Therefore, campers are required to bring their own firewood to preserve the natural surroundings.

Leave No Trace: One of the most important rules to follow is the Leave No Trace principle. This means that you must take all your trash with you, leave what you find, and minimize your impact on the environment. The goal is to ensure that the park remains pristine for future visitors.

Established Campgrounds and RV Parks

If you prefer a more structured camping experience, there are several campgrounds and RV parks in the Borrego Springs area. These campgrounds offer amenities such as restrooms, picnic tables, and, in some cases, hookups for RVs. Staying in one of these campgrounds provides a more comfortable camping experience while still allowing you to enjoy the natural beauty of the desert.

Enjoy Your Camping Experience

Camping in Borrego Springs, whether you're nestled in the wilderness of Anza-Borrego State Park or settled in a well-equipped campground, offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature. The stunning landscapes, clear night skies, and peaceful surroundings make it a perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Just be sure to follow the guidelines and respect the environment, so this incredible experience can be enjoyed by all who visit.

For more info on camping and activities in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, visit parks.ca.gov. Check out abdnha.org for resources and tours from the Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association.

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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