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 • July 21, 2026

Christmas Circle Community Park: A Community Landmark

Jeff Sloan, Christmas Circle Community Park Board President

Supporting the Heart of Borrego Springs

At the center of Borrego Springs sits one of the community's most familiar landmarks: Christmas Circle Community Park. For decades, the park has served as a gathering place for residents, visitors, community celebrations, holiday displays, concerts, and everyday recreation.

The park's history dates back to the early 1950s, when the DiGiorgio family donated the land in honor of A.A. Burnand. Management of the park evolved over the years, eventually leading to the creation of the nonprofit organization that oversees it today. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, Christmas Circle Community Park operates with support from grants, donations, and community involvement.

Many visitors may not realize that the park is maintained by an all-volunteer board of directors. These volunteers oversee a wide range of responsibilities necessary to keep the park welcoming and functional throughout the year. Their work includes lawn care, landscaping, tree maintenance, irrigation management, restroom cleaning, and general upkeep of the grounds.

While Borrego Springs experiences a quieter pace during the summer months, the needs of the park do not slow down. Maintaining healthy lawns, caring for trees, managing water usage, and ensuring clean public facilities require consistent attention throughout the hottest months of the year. The work continues every day, even when visitor numbers are lower.

Christmas Circle remains an important public space for the community. It provides a place to gather, relax, attend events, and welcome visitors to Borrego Springs. The park's appearance and accessibility are the result of ongoing care and support from volunteers, donors, and community members who recognize its value.

Tax-deductible donations help fund the everyday operations that keep the park available year-round. In addition to one-time contributions, monthly sustaining donations provide reliable support that helps the organization plan for ongoing maintenance and future improvements.

Donate Today

As Borrego Springs continues to grow and evolve, Christmas Circle Community Park remains a symbol of community pride, local history, and the shared effort required to maintain one of the area's most recognizable public spaces.