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 • November 6, 2026

Have You Experienced the Unexplained in Borrego Springs? A Film Crew Wants to Hear Your Story

Film crew seeks firsthand accounts of UFO sightings, hauntings and other unexplained

A film crew is planning to visit Borrego Springs and is looking to hear from people who have had unexplained experiences in the area.

The crew wants firsthand accounts from both residents and visitors. That includes reported UFO sightings, unusual lights in the night sky, experiences in buildings or places people consider haunted, and any other events people haven’t been able to explain, whether in Borrego Springs or in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Details about the project, including filming dates, will be shared as they become available.

What they’re looking for

UFO sightings and unexplained lights in the sky
Ghostly encounters and haunted places
Strange sounds, shadows or feelings
Anything mysterious or unexplained you’ve experienced in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park or around Borrego Springs

You don’t have to be a longtime resident. If something happened while you were visiting, camping, hiking or just passing through, your story counts too.

How to share your story

Email a short description of your experience to andrea@rammediafoundation.org. Please include:

Your name
Roughly when and where it happened
The best way to reach you

No story is too small or too strange.

Stay tuned

Check back, we will share more about the film project as details come in. Until then, keep your eyes on the sky and your stories ready.

Learn More About Borrego Springs

Meet Vanda: The Borrego Sun's New Intern

By Vanda Ratkay • November 6, 2026

Hungarian exchange student Vanda Ratkay joins the Borrego Sun as its newest intern, and her curiosity has led her to a new adventure: journalism.

Jim and Anne Wermers: Taking Care of Borrego

By Andrea McKenna • November 5, 2026

From the old grocery on Christmas Circle to The Mall, The Center and a food bank that fed a quarter of the town, how Jim and Anne Wermers took care of Borrego.

A Different Kind of Feast Awaits in Borrego Springs Yellow Woman Ranch

By Yellow Woman Ranch • November 5, 2026

Yellow Woman Ranch's Fall Wellness Faire invites visitors to explore holistic practices, discover natural products, and enjoy a day of connection in the desert. Thanksgiving is a time for gathering, gratitude, and, quite often, overindulgence. On Saturday, November 28, Yellow Woman Ranch in Borrego Springs invites visitors to spend the day nourishing themselves in a different way, exploring an eclectic mix of holistic practices, natural products, and experiences designed to promote well-being. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Fall Wellness Faire will bring together holistic practitioners, wellness enthusiasts, and natural product vendors for a day of discovery, connection, and feeling good. Visitors can explore a variety of offerings, including acupuncture and cupping, Reiki, vibrational sound healing, Zero Balance, Bio-Energetic Scanning, mini facials, and Somatic Movement. The day will also feature sound baths, Shamanic Journeying, tarot readings, and traditional Chinese mind-body practices. Beyond the individual practices and experiences, guests can browse crystals, herbal products, and other natural offerings, enjoy wholesome foods, meet practitioners, and discover approaches to wellness they may not have encountered before. “I started these Wellness Faires to create awareness about the different ways we can heal and feel good when we get in touch with our bodies and our minds,” says Rossy Sanchez, creator of Yellow Woman Ranch. “I so enjoy seeing the happy faces as people leave the event.” Set against the dramatic beauty of the Anza-Borrego Desert, Yellow Woman Ranch offers an inviting setting where visitors can explore at their own pace, connect with others, and perhaps discover something new about themselves. The Fall Wellness Faire takes place Saturday, November 28, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Yellow Woman Ranch, 302 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, California. Admission is $20. Private sessions are available at additional cost, with pricing varying by practitioner. For more information and to explore the day's offerings, visit www.yellowwomanranch.com/events.