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.

Fr. Michael Plekon • January 1, 2024

Community Sunrise Service in Borrego Celebrates Easter 2024

borrego ministers association easter Sunrise service

Community Sunrise Service Easter 2024

There are numerous religious festivals that punctuate the calendar. The one central to Christians is the celebration of the rising of Jesus from the dead. In English, we call it Easter, likely derived from the name of a deity of the springtime. In most other languages however, the feast comes from the Jewish Pesach, in Greek and Latin, Pascha, meaning a Passover—from slavery to freedom for the people of Israel, from death to life for Jesus. In Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Greek and other languages one can hear Pascha.

Easter this year is Sunday, March 31. The Borrego Ministers Association (BMA) is again sponsoring a Community Easter Sunrise Service behind the Community United Methodist Church, on Church Lane. Sunrise should be at 6:34am, and the service starts promptly at sunrise. So arrive before then, and bring chairs, blankets and come to the natural amphitheatre there. The service will consist of hymns, a cantata by a volunteer choir directed by Jinny Perrin, along with prayers and readings done by members of the BMA.

This year the short sermon will be by by Fr. Tony Stanonnik, the new pastor of St. Richard's Catholic Church. Fr. David Madsen, the new rector of St. Barnabas will also give the final blessing. Others participating will be clergy and laity from the Methodist, Episcopal, Catholic and Latter Day Saints churches in town. There will be a basket for a free will offering for the outreach assistance to neighbors in need by the BMA at the end of the service, which should last about a half hour. Please come celebrate Easter with your neighbors.

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The Rev. Michael Plekon, PhD
Professor Emeritus: Sociology, Religion & Culture The City University of New York - Baruch College

Images provided by: Michael Rue

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George & Rosa Featured in St. Barnabas “Who Is My Neighbor?” Series

By St Barnabas Communications • August 27, 2026

Borrego Springs-made short film screens Oct. 11 St. Barnabas Episcopal Church will present the award-winning short film George & Rosa on Sunday, Oct. 11, from 1–2 p.m. as part of its “Who Is My Neighbor?” film and discussion series. Written, produced and directed by Borrego Springs resident Matt Bosson, the 24-minute drama follows George and Rosa, two people living on the margins who form an unexpected bond despite speaking different languages. The story explores loneliness, companionship and human dignity. George & Rosa was produced entirely in Borrego Springs, with local talent involved in the production and the Anza-Borrego desert serving as its backdrop. The film won Best Medium Short in the Reale Film Festival’s June 2026 Monthly Awards. Bosson worked for many years in television video playback on productions including 24, House MD and Grey’s Anatomy before relocating to Borrego Springs, where he teaches English and continues his filmmaking and music work. His previous short BAD was also filmed and premiered in Borrego Springs. The screening will be held at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 2680 Country Club Road, followed by a community discussion as part of the ongoing “Who Is My Neighbor?” series.