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 • March 30, 2025

Help Jesse Orozco Explore STEM and Achieve His Dreams!

Jesse Needs Help! Borrego Springs’ own, Jesse Orozco (Maribel’s son), is an outstanding student who's earned an invitation to the prestigious NYLF Explore STEM camp in San Diego.

He needs help payng for it.

Jesse works hard—cutting hair for the unhoused, selling candy and avocados—to reach his goal. He needs help.

Your donation helps Jesse take this life-changing opportunity and continue excelling in STEM.

Jesse's GoFundMe

Message From Jesse's GoFundMe Account

Hi everyone,

I’m reaching out to ask for your support in helping my son, Jesse Orozco, take part in an incredible opportunity. Jesse is a bright, curious, and determined 14 year old middle schooler who lights up at the chance to learn something new. He’s thrilled to have been invited to the National Youth Leadership Forum: Explore STEM—a prestigious week-long summer program designed for future leaders in science, technology, engineering, and math.

Why This Opportunity is Life-Changing

NYLF Explore STEM is more than just a program—it’s a chance for Jesse to take his passion for learning to the next level. Through 14 hour-a-day hands-on simulations, workshops, and challenges, he’ll gain practical skills and experiences that will inspire his future. In one activity their team will build a drone to learn how it operates.

One highlight of the program is the Outdoor Medicine Simulation, developed by Stanford University experts. Jesse will learn and practice life-saving techniques in a wilderness setting, building skills that could one day save lives and ignite a deeper passion for STEM.

This amazing program will take place at UC San Diego in La Jolla, but we need your help to make it happen.

Why Your Financial Support Means Everything

Jesse has worked so hard for this opportunity, and I want to give him the chance to thrive and grow through this experience. Unfortunately, the tuition, dorm housing and travel expenses are more than we can manage alone.

By contributing, you’re helping Jesse take a big step toward his dreams of one day making a difference as a future innovator, scientist, or engineer.

How You Can Help

Donate: Every dollar brings us closer to our goal and helps Jesse attend this incredible program.

Share: Please spread the word to family, friends, and anyone who believes in supporting bright young minds.

Thank you for being part of Jesse’s journey. Your generosity and support mean so much to our family and will make a lasting impact on his future.

Together, we can give Jesse the opportunity to shine!

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

In Memory of Joan Delores Rosen

By Martin, Dirk and Marika Rosen • October 26, 2026

Joan Delores Rosen, 95, Remembered for a Life of Art, Adventure and Conservation

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