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 • September 30, 2023

Message from DAP: Borrego Health Integration

Navigating the Future of Healthcare in Borrego Springs

Hello, Borrego Springs locals! We’ve got information to share with you about the integration of DAP Health with Borrego Health.

New Physicians and Specialties

First things first, let’s talk about the doctors. We know that having access to a variety of healthcare specialists is crucial for our community. According to DAP Health, there’s good news on the horizon. Over the next couple of years, they plan to hire a significant number of new providers.

In 2024, they intend to bring on board 27 new healthcare providers.
In 2025, an additional 20 providers will join the team.

These new providers will cover a wide range of specialties, including women’s health, pediatrics, primary care, mental health, and dentistry. This expansion aims to offer a broader range of services and increase access to specialized care for us, the residents of Borrego Springs.

Changes in Clinics and Health Care Facilities

Change can be unsettling, especially when it comes to our healthcare. But DAP Health wants us to know that this integration is all about enhancing the patient experience. Over the next 12 months, they are committed to improving patient care and services.

Some of the changes we can expect include:

Extended clinic hours.
Weekend visits.
Improved emergency contact options.
The addition of mental health support and other services consistent with DAP Health’s comprehensive offerings.

These changes are all designed to provide us with better access to care and a more well-rounded healthcare experience.

Improvements in Patient Care

We all want healthcare that is easy to access and tailored to our needs. DAP Health has plans to make our lives easier by implementing EPIC electronic health records (EHR). This system will bring several improvements, such as:

Better scheduling options.
Improved communication with our healthcare providers.
Efficient lab result reviews.
Integration with other healthcare systems.
A unified patient record system.
A user-friendly patient portal called MyChart.

This upgrade aims to streamline the patient experience, making it more convenient and efficient.

Community Engagement

DAP Health understands that improving health outcomes involves more than just medical care. It’s about engaging with our community, local organizations, government agencies, and businesses. They are actively meeting with leaders and organizations to address community needs and concerns. This shows their commitment to working with us to make our town healthier.

New Programs and Services

While specific details are still under wraps, DAP Health is actively exploring opportunities to introduce new programs and services that cater to the unique needs of Borrego Springs’ diverse population. This includes services like mammograms and screenings that can be conducted right here in town.

We’re eager to learn more about these offerings in the future!

Collaboration Benefits for Patients

The collaboration between DAP Health and Borrego Health promises several benefits for us, the patients. These include:

Improved access to care at more sites.
Access to additional specialists.
A commitment to enhancing patient satisfaction and positive health outcomes.

In other words, it’s all about making sure we receive the best care possible.

Transition for Patients

Change can be daunting, especially when it comes to something as personal as healthcare. DAP Health wants to reassure us that they are taking steps to ensure a smooth and transparent transition for long-time patients.

Some important points to note:

All Borrego Health employees have been offered employment at DAP Health, ensuring continuity of staff we are familiar with.
Patients will retain their providers and care teams as they become patients of DAP Health.
The Borrego Springs Pharmacy will continue to operate with maintained hours, preserving accessibility for patients.

These measures are in place to make sure our transition is as seamless as possible.

Contact for Questions and Concerns

(Read the direct response from DAP here.)

For any questions or concerns regarding the operations of the clinic, DAP Health has provided contact information for Nereida “Nedy” Terrazas at nterrazas@daphealth.org and COO Corina Velasquez at cvelasquez@daphealth.org. They are here to address inquiries and support the community, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

Healthcare Transformation: DAP Health and Borrego Health Integration Brings Brighter Future to Borrego Springs Residents

The integration of DAP Health with Borrego Health promises exciting changes and improvements to our healthcare system. As residents of Borrego Springs, we can look forward to enhanced access to care, a broader range of specialties, and a more patient-focused experience.

We appreciate DAP Health taking the time to provide us with these insights and hope that this information has been helpful. As always, we encourage you to share your thoughts and feedback. Let’s work together to make our community healthier and stronger!

>> DAP Health and Borrego Health Become One Integrated Health Care System

Email Communication From DAP

Thank you for your questions regarding DAP Health’s integration with Borrego Health. We appreciate your diligence in seeking information on how this partnership will impact the Borrego Springs Clinic, its patients, and its services. Below, please find responses to your questions. I’ve combined some information to better highlight our plans to improve the patient experience.

1) New Physicians and Specialties: We are excited to share that in the coming 24 months, we have significant plans to enhance our provider team throughout our entire system of clinics. In 2024, we intend to hire 27 new providers, and in 2025, an additional 20 providers will join our ranks. These new additions will cover various specialties, including women’s health, pediatrics, primary care, mental health, and dentistry. This expansion aims to offer a broader range of services and increase access to specialized care for our patients.

2) Changes in Clinics and Health Care Facilities: The integration of DAP Health and Borrego Health is driven by our commitment to delivering culturally competent care while addressing the unique needs of our diverse patient populations. Over the next 12 months, we are dedicated to improving patient care and services. This includes actively exploring opportunities to enhance services, such as extended hours, weekend visits, and improved emergency contacts. Furthermore, we plan to add mental health support and other services consistent with DAP Health’s comprehensive offerings.

3) Improvements in Patient Care: Our focus over the next year is to enhance the patient’s experience by addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) and offering comprehensive, accessible, and culturally sensitive care. We will implement EPIC electronic health records (EHR) to improve scheduling, communication with providers, lab result review, and more. This system will seamlessly integrate with other health care systems, provide unified patient records, offer robust data analytics tools, and facilitate patient engagement through the MyChart patient portal.

4) Community Engagement: We understand the importance of engaging with local community organizations, government agencies, and businesses to improve overall health outcomes for residents. We are actively meeting with leaders and organizations to address community needs and concerns.

5) New Programs and Services: We are actively exploring opportunities to introduce new programs and services that cater to the unique needs of Borrego Springs’ diverse population. While we cannot provide specific details at this moment, we share your enthusiasm for services such as mammograms and screenings that can be conducted locally.

6) Collaboration Benefits for Patients: The collaboration between DAP Health and Borrego Health will bring numerous benefits to patients, including improved access to care at more sites, and access to additional specialists. Our commitment is to enhance patient satisfaction and positive health outcomes.

7) Transition for Patients: Ensuring a smooth and transparent transition for longtime patients is a top priority. All Borrego Health employees have been offered employment at DAP Health, ensuring continuity of staff with whom patients are familiar. Patients will retain their providers and care teams as they become patients of DAP Health. Additionally, the Borrego Springs Pharmacy will continue to operate with maintained hours, preserving accessibility for patients.

8) Contact for Questions and Concerns: For any questions or concerns regarding the operations of the clinic, residents can contact Associate COO Nereida “Nedy” Terrazas at nterrazas@daphealth.org and/or COO Corina Velasquez at cvelasquez@daphealth.org. They are here to address inquiries and provide support to the community.

We hope this information addresses your questions. We remain committed to delivering exceptional care and service to the Borrego Springs community as part of our integrated health care system. Should you or community members require further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to reach out. We appreciate your continued interest in our efforts to improve health care in the region, and welcome feedback from your readers that will assist us in reaching this goal.

QUICK TAKE ABOUT DAP

DAP Health’s mission is to enhance and promote community health and well-being. Established in 1984 during the AIDS crisis, it initially focused on those affected by HIV/AIDS. Today, DAP Health is a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) providing comprehensive healthcare services, including primary medical care, HIV and Hepatitis specialty care, dentistry, behavioral health, and social services.

The organization is rooted in volunteerism, with over 400 volunteers contributing around 60,000 hours annually. DAP Health serves low-income and medically underserved community members in the Coachella Valley, where HIV infection rates are significantly higher than the national average.

To address these disparities, DAP Health offers various services, implements electronic health records for better patient care, collaborates with the community, and explores new programs. Their goal is to provide holistic, accessible, and compassionate care despite the ongoing challenges of HIV.

DAP Health’s history reflects its commitment to addressing evolving healthcare needs in the region, from HIV testing to cancer care, food distribution, dental care, housing support, and more. Their recent expansion aims to further increase access to affordable healthcare for underserved populations.

Learn more: www.daphealth.org

Learn More About Borrego Springs

Borrego Springs Honors Veterans at Christmas Circle

By Andrea McKenna • November 12, 2026

American Legion Post 853 hosted Borrego Springs’ Veterans Day ceremony on Wednesday, November 11, at the Christmas Circle Community Park bandstand.

SLOWJAMASTAN CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE WITH HISTORIC TERRITORIAL EXPANSION

By Robert Dobalina, Slowjamastan • November 12, 2026

World-Famous Micronation to Announce Five-Acre Expansion, Unveil Two New States During November 14 Jubilee The Republic of Slowjamastan is celebrating its fifth anniversary of independence with a historic announcement: the nation is expanding its territory by nearly 50 percent. On Saturday, November 14, from 1–3 PM, Slowjamastan will host its 5th Anniversary of Independence Jubilee, featuring the official announcement and ribbon-cutting ceremony for five newly acquired acres of land, one for each year of independence. The five additional acres, contiguous with the nation's existing 11-acre territory, bring Slowjamastan's total footprint to 16 acres. The public is invited to participate in the festivities, which include: • Historic ribbon-cutting celebrating Slowjamastan's territorial expansion. • Two new states officially commemorated within the nation. • Visa-free entry for the first 10,000 visitors. Crocs remain strictly prohibited. • Free Cactus Cooler while supplies last. • Meet and greet with The Sultan and the Chief of the Porder Batrol. "Five years. Five acres. Sixteen acres of freedom, questionable legislation, and absolutely no Crocs," said The Sultan. "Most countries celebrate anniversaries with cake. We bought more country." Founded in 2021, the Republic of Slowjamastan has attracted worldwide media attention for its unconventional approach to nation-building, complete with its own government, passports, border checkpoints, and national traditions. EVENT DETAILS What: Slowjamastan's 5th Anniversary of Independence Jubilee When: Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 1–3 PM Where: Republic of Slowjamastan, Imperial County, California. See slowjamastan.org/location Admission: Free Learn more about Slowjamastan: www.slowjamastan.org MEDIA CONTACT Robert Dobalina bob@slowjamastan.org

OpiCure Ascent to Freedom ride: Uniting community to honor recovery

By OpiCure Foundation • November 10, 2026

This is more than a bike ride. The OpiCure Ascent to Freedom Ride in Borrego Springs takes place Saturday, November 21, and brings together riders, friends, families, and the recovery community for a full day of connection and celebration, in association with Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Join the ride through the desert, jump into the pickleball tournament (all skill levels welcome), and enjoy meals provided for the riders as we come together to mark sobriety, share stories, and support one another. Whether you’re riding, playing, volunteering, or simply showing up, you’re part of this. Come be part of something bigger than any single activity — come be part of the Ascent to Freedom. “We wanted this to be a fun day that everyone can enjoy. Come meet the Opicure Community and grow with us,” says OpiCure Foundation President Cullen Easter. In the heart of the Anza-Borrego Desert, this inaugural OpiCure event brings together people in recovery, their families, and the cycling community to celebrate sobriety, share stories of strength, and raise awareness about the opioid crisis. "By turning the simple act of riding into a collective ascent toward freedom, it shows that recovery is possible, community heals, and every pedal stroke can move us closer to a life beyond addiction," says Cullen. "The OpiCure Ascent to Freedom is about community, movement, and celebrating recovery in every form." OpiCure Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Non Profit Foundation focused on addressing opioid-related addiction and deaths. More information on the event is available at opicureride.com .