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 • December 7, 2023

Celebrating Creativity: The Borrego Springs Mural Project

A Tapestry of Creativity Unveiled: The Artistic Journey of Borrego Springs Mural Project

Borrego Springs, situated in California's desert, is renowned for its tranquil desert surroundings and proximity to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The town has emerged as a canvas for artistic expression, exemplified by projects like the Mural Project. With a commitment to the arts and a unique desert charm, Borrego Springs invites visitors to explore the intersection of creativity and natural beauty. The Mural Project, funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, reflects the town's dedication to showcasing diverse talents and fostering a vibrant artistic community.

Unveiling "Celebrating the Arts in Borrego Springs"

Initiated in 2008 as a demonstration project with 4-inch clay tiles, the mural evolved into a grander vision in 2016. Today, approximately 224 square feet of permanent artwork adorns the exterior south wall of the Borrego Art Institute, captivating onlookers with its vibrant portrayal of "the Arts in Borrego Springs."

The Creative Process

Led by a five-member team from ThePottery, the mural concept unfolded through sketches and transformed into clay, glass, and steel panels. The theme of "the Arts in Borrego Springs" encompasses a rich tapestry of pottery, sculpture, painting, written word, music, filmmaking, photography, theater, architecture, glasswork, dance, and nature study.

"The clay tile art was created predominately at the Borrego Art Institute pottery program’s unique outdoor studio on the property of Borrego Springs High School."

Community Collaboration

Over 150 community members engaged in various stages of the project, contributing their skills in clay, mosaic, and assembly. The collaborative effort not only resulted in a stunning mural but also fostered a sense of community pride and artistic accomplishment.

Interactive Learning Experience

The project provided a unique hands-on opportunity for participants to learn about the intricate steps involved in creating and installing such a large piece of art. From clay techniques to mosaic assembly, individuals gained new skills and insights into the world of artistic expression.

Unveiling and Legacy

The completed mural was unveiled in a public ceremony on March 23, 2019, attended by close to 200 people. "Celebrating the Arts in Borrego Springs" stands as a testament to the importance of art in the community, captivating viewers day and night.

Visit and Explore Borrego Springs Art Mural

If you find yourself in Borrego Springs, don't miss the chance to witness this remarkable piece of art on the exterior south side wall of the Borrego Art Institute. It serves as a visual feast, reflecting the diverse and vibrant artistic spirit of Borrego Springs.

Art enthusiasts, nature lovers, and curious minds alike are invited to explore the Mural Project and witness the fusion of creativity and community in this captivating desert town. The mural's vibrant depiction of the arts will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on all who visit Borrego Springs.

Borrego Art Institute

665 Palm Canyon Drive,

at Christmas Circle

Borrego Springs, CA 92004

The mural is located on the outside south side wall of the Borrego Art Institute. (Sunset Road)

Visit Borrego Springs And See The Mural For Yourself!

Source: Borrego Springs Art Institute

Learn More About The Arts In Borrego Springs

SAVE THE DATE!: ARTTALK with artist ARhAyas PSonn AllureA

By Elizabeth Rodriquez • November 11, 2026

Join the artist ARhAyas PSonn AllureA for ARTTALK on Saturday, November 21 at 3pm at The Gallery at The Palms to converse about his assemblage collages relating to the erasure of Goddess wisdom and its metamorphosis to time present. Refreshments will be served for your enjoyment. The Gallery at The Palms is located at 2220 Hoberg Road, Borrego Springs, Ca. 92004

Photographs and Memories: Imperfect and Authentic

By Brice Weaver • November 8, 2026

By: Brice Weaver www.briceweaverphotography What happens when a photograph becomes your only memory of something you experienced? I recently came across an Instagram video of a woman looking through photographs with her husband, who had apparently suffered a brain injury affecting his memory. The photographs captured their first dance together. As they looked through them, she gently asked whether he remembered certain moments. I found myself thinking about that video long after watching it. For her, those photographs were connected to experiences she could still remember. For him, they offered a visual record of moments he could no longer recall. We take photographs assuming we’ll remember the moments surrounding them. But what happens when we don’t? What happens when a photograph becomes our only connection to an experience, a person, or a particular time in our lives? And what happens when that photograph has been altered so extensively that it no longer represents what actually occurred? We’re living in a time when artificial intelligence can generate convincing images of events that never happened. Digital editing allows us to remove people, replace backgrounds, alter expressions, and reconstruct scenes until they bear little resemblance to the original moment. Much of the debate surrounding AI-generated imagery focuses on creativity, copyright, and whether these images should even be considered photography. But I think there’s another question we aren’t discussing nearly enough. What happens when the photographs we create today become the memories someone depends on tomorrow? Now Imagine looking through your own photographs decades later, unable to distinguish which details were genuine and which had been added, removed, or generated. Human memory is already imperfect. We forget, reconstruct, and sometimes unintentionally change our recollections. Photographs have traditionally provided an external reference, even if that reference was never entirely objective. If we begin treating every photograph as something to be perfected rather than preserved, what happens to that relationship? That short video brought the issue into a much more human perspective for me. The couple wasn’t discussing photography, artificial intelligence, or photographic ethics. They were simply looking at pictures, trying to reconnect with moments from their lives. You don’t need photographs to show a better version of your life. You need them to show the life you actually lived. We spend so much time asking how to make photographs look better. Perhaps we should spend more time asking what we need them to remember. As AI and digital manipulation become increasingly sophisticated, where do you draw the line between improving a photograph and changing the history it represents?

Studio 628 Opens the Season with “Mixed Tempos”

By Andrea McKenna • November 1, 2026

Six artists come together for a collective exhibition Check out the most recent review by Art Critic, Sally Walsh Gary Henderson Interiors Studio 628 will celebrate its season opening with Mixed Tempos, a collective exhibition featuring Kevin Goddess, Victoria Johnson, Kippi Leonard, Robert Landry, Wil Gardner and Marcy Gregory. Mixed Tempos at Studio 628 & Galeria el Patio 622 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs CA. Show goes through November, Gallery Hours Friday-Sunday 1:00-4:00 PM. Bringing six artists together in one exhibition, Mixed Tempos offers visitors an opportunity to explore their work and welcome the return of the local gallery season. The evening will also include a sneak preview of Galeria el Patio, adding another reason to stop by and see what’s ahead. Community members and visitors are invited to join the celebration, enjoy the exhibition and spend an evening connecting with Borrego Springs’ arts community.