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 • December 13, 2024

Hawkwatch Documentary: Borrego’s Role in Conservation

Betsey Knaak Executive Director at ABDNHA and Hal Cohen Hawkwatch Founder (Source: Hawkwatch Facebook)

Preserving the Swainson’s Hawk Migration Through Film, Science, and Community Action

The Hawkwatch documentary is more than a film—it's a call to action, a testament to the beauty of avian migration, and a glimpse into the efforts of Borrego Springs’ dedicated citizen scientists to preserve a critical ecosystem. Since production began in early 2023, the documentary has captured the breathtaking migration of hawks and other raptors, spanning thousands of miles across Borrego Springs, California, and key migration hotspots such as Veracruz, Mexico, Antelope Valley, California, and Corpus Christi, Texas.

Revered Raptors, Citizen Scientists, and Fragile Habitats

The annual Swainson’s Hawk migration is one of nature’s most awe-inspiring spectacles, but it faces mounting threats. From human-driven climate change to habitat encroachment and natural challenges, these obstacles jeopardize the survival of these majestic raptors.

The film showcases not just the hawks’ perilous 20,000-mile journey but also the passionate "Hawksters" who monitor, study, and protect these migratory birds. Their dedication represents decades of citizen science in Borrego Springs, a legacy that began in the 1950s and continues today through Borrego Valley Hawkwatch, the last remaining spring hawk watch in California.

Why This Film Matters Now

The Hawkwatch documentary aims to raise awareness and inspire action. It captures the Swainson’s Hawks' breathtaking migration while shining a light on the role of citizen science in conservation efforts. As Hal Cohen, founder of Borrego Valley Hawkwatch, says:

"Awareness leads to protection, protection leads to conservation, and conservation leads to a healthy planet."

This documentary is more than a story; it’s a stepping stone toward a larger goal—a permanent observation site in Borrego Springs. This new facility would serve as a hub for citizen science, conservation education, and continued preservation of the Swainson’s Hawk migration.

Learn More:

Borrego Springs Hawkwatch Facebook
Borrego Springs Hawk Alert (Watch the trailer!)
Behind The Scenes
Hawkwatch Film Information (ABDNHA)

See If First!

Coming Winter 2025: The highly anticipated Hawkwatch Documentary will debut next winter, bringing the incredible story of raptor migration and conservation to audiences everywhere. But you don’t have to wait! Be among the first to experience this powerful film by attending the special Hawkwatch Film Screening event in Borrego Springs this January.

Reserve your spot now and get an early glimpse into this inspiring story.

Be Among the First to See the Film

Hawkwatch Film Screening

Saturday, January 4, 2025

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM PDT

Join this ABDNHA fundraising event to support the Hawkwatch documentary and its mission.

Event Highlights:

Wine provided by Hawkwatch Winery
A live raptor presentation
Complimentary wine glasses and keepsake photos
Q&A with the cast and crew
Dessert included

Ticket Options:

$70 for a single ticket
$135 for 2

Get Tickets!

Learn More About Borrego Springs

Puttin’ on the Glitz Gala to Support Performing Arts in Borrego Springs

By BSPAC • November 13, 2026

Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center is seeking sponsors for its November 21 fundraiser

Borrego Springs Groundwater Use Falls 45% Below Allowed Limit

By Borrego Springs Watermaster • November 4, 2026

Borrego Springs is making major progress in groundwater conservation. See the latest numbers and what they mean for the valley’s future.

Supervisor Desmond Joins the Crowd at the 60th Annual Borrego Days Parade

By Andrea McKenna • October 18, 2026

Supervisor Jim Desmond waves to the crowd at the 60th annual Borrego Days parade on Saturday, October 17.

Nearly 200 Attend SDG&E Powerlink Open House in Borrego Springs

By Andrea McKenna • October 15, 2026

SDG&E reported about 189 attendees and 29 staff at the 4 to 7 p.m. event, which followed a similar open house at the El Centro Community Center the day before.

October 14: Borrego Springs Gets Its Chance to Be Heard

By J. David Garmon, M.D. President, Tubb Canyon Desert Conservancy • October 13, 2026

SDG&E will come to Borrego Springs on Wednesday, October 14, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m

The Gallery at The Palms Presents ARTTALK with The Outliers Artists – Saturday, October 17

By Elizabeth Rodriquez • October 9, 2026

Join us in celebration of Borrego Days and, And now there's this: The Outliers exhibition. Artists will talk about their work and its relationship to "outsider art", the outer boundaries of art production and challenging conventions of mainstream art culture. Refreshments, artists and ARTTALK! - Elizabeth Rodriguez, Curator The Gallery at The Palms at Indian Head 2220 Hoberg Road, Borrego Springs, CA 92004