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.

Carolyn Kendle, MPH • October 23, 2026

FREE Dementia Friends Session in Borrego Springs - Nov 12

Free Workshop Offers Practical Tools for Supporting People Living With Dementia

In partnership with the Borrego Springs Branch Library, Aging & Independence Services is hosting a free Dementia Friends session as part of a Dementia Friends Roadshow for Rural Communities this November!

November is National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month & National Rural Health Month. Rural communities often face unique challenges when it comes to dementia care—including limited access to specialty care and higher rates of social isolation. Dementia Friends is a global movement dedicated to changing the way people think, act, and talk about dementia.

These free, 1-hour interactive workshops will help participants:

Understand the signs and symptoms of dementia
Learn dementia-friendly communication tips and hands-on strategies
Identify ways to support friends, family, and neighbors to live well with dementia

Participants will receive a certificate, door prizes, helpful resources, and become one of more than 265,000 Dementia Friends across the country!

Borrego Springs Branch Library, 2580 Country Club Rd, Borrego Springs, CA 92004

Date: Thursday, November 12, 2026

Time: 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Session dates and times are listed on the attached flyer and on our website: www.LiveWellSD.org/Dementia. Please help us promote the session in Borrego Springs with clients and residents in Borrego Springs! Consider posting the flyer on your organization’s social media, newsletters, and other media. Additionally, if you would like hard copies of the flyer mailed to you, please let me know.

Register in advance https://bit.ly/4hBEEXT

Thank you in advance for your support,

Carolyn Kendle, MPH, Community Health Program Specialist

Aging & Independence Services

County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency

C: 619-890-8373

Learn More About Borrego Springs

Overnight microgrid testing planned in Borrego Springs Oct. 26-29

By Alex Welling, MLS • October 24, 2026

SDG&E will conduct overnight testing of the Borrego Springs microgrid on Oct. 26, 27 and 29. The testing will require temporary power outages as crews confirm that the microgrid controller and supporting equipment can operate together as intended. Customers should prepare for: Up to two temporary outages of up to approximately 60 minutes between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. on Oct. 26 Up to two temporary outages of up to approximately 60 minutes between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. on Oct. 27 The possibility of a temporary outage between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. on Oct. 29 We appreciate the community’s patience. This testing is an important step to help ensure the microgrid can operate as intended and help reduce the impact of certain outages in Borrego Springs. The microgrid improves community resiliency but cannot prevent every outage. Pruebas nocturnas de la microrred de Borrego Springs programadas del 26 al 29 de octubre SDG&E realizará pruebas nocturnas de la microrred de Borrego Springs los días 26, 27 y 29 de octubre. Las pruebas requerirán interrupciones temporales del servicio eléctrico mientras nuestros equipos confirman que el controlador de la microrred y los equipos de apoyo pueden funcionar juntos según lo previsto. Los clientes deben prepararse para: Una interrupción temporal de hasta aproximadamente 60 minutos entre las 11 p.m. y las 4 a.m. el 26 de octubre Una interrupción temporal de hasta aproximadamente 60 minutos entre las 11 p.m. y las 4 a.m. el 27 de octubre La posibilidad de una interrupción temporal entre las 11 p.m. y las 4 a.m. el 29 de octubre Entendemos que las interrupciones del servicio pueden afectar las actividades diarias y agradecemos la paciencia de la comunidad. Estas pruebas son un paso importante para ayudar a garantizar que la microrred pueda funcionar según lo previsto y ayudar a reducir el impacto de ciertas interrupciones del servicio eléctrico en Borrego Springs. La microrred mejora la resiliencia de la comunidad, pero no puede prevenir todas las interrupciones. Alex Welling, MLS Strategic Communications Manager, Major Projects, Wildfire & Operations