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.

Sylvana Meeks • October 6, 2026

Nine Contestants to Compete in 2026 Miss Borrego Springs Pageant

The annual pageant returns Oct. 10 at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center, with nine local contestants vying for the title.

The 2026 Miss Borrego Springs Pageant will take place Saturday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center.

Nine contestants will compete for the title of Miss Borrego Springs:

Kailani Doe
Genesis Vilches
Melanie Arias
Camila Molina Lopez
Alexandra Torres
Rosalynn Camacho
Elizabeth Hernandez Perez
Brisa Valtierra
Judith Fregoso

The annual pageant brings the community together to recognize the young women participating and celebrate their involvement in Borrego Springs.

Friends, family members and community residents are invited to attend and support this year’s contestants as they take the stage.

Event Details

Miss Borrego Springs Pageant

Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026

6 p.m.

Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center

Learn More About Borrego Springs

Riviera Farms Opens Farm Store on Oct 6

By Andrea McKenna • October 6, 2026

The new farm store at Riviera Farms opens Oct. 9, giving Borrego Springs residents a new place to buy locally grown produce, eggs and farm-made goods directly from the source. A new locally grown shopping option is coming to Borrego Springs this week. Riviera Farms will open its Farm Store for the first time on Friday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2021 Borrego Springs Road. The opening marks a new step for the Borrego Springs farm, allowing residents and visitors to purchase food and other products grown or made locally while also getting a closer look at the farm itself. For opening day, Riviera Farms says the store will offer fresh jalapeños, heirloom tomatoes, basil and farm-fresh eggs, along with handmade goat milk soap, homemade dog treats, artisan salts and additional farm-made products. Visitors will also be able to walk around the farm and meet some of its animals. Riviera Farms had also hoped to begin serving coffee with the store opening, but that portion of the operation is still awaiting its final permit. The farm decided to move ahead with Friday’s opening rather than postpone the launch. The Farm Store adds another direct-to-community food source in Borrego Springs and gives customers an opportunity to see where some of the products they are purchasing are grown and produced. “Come see what we’ve been growing, making and building,” Riviera Farms announced in sharing news of the opening. Opening Day Riviera Farms Farm Store Friday, Oct. 9 10 a.m.–2 p.m. 2021 Borrego Springs Road Borrego Springs

A Joyful October Tradition: Blessing of the Animals 2026

By Andrea McKenna • October 4, 2026

The annual BMA gathering celebrated beloved animals with prayer and individual blessings. The Borrego Ministers Association (BMA) held its annual Blessing of the Animals at Christmas Circle on Saturday, October 3, from 10 a.m. to noon. Christmas Circle was still fenced off as work continued on irrigation upgrades and preparations for fall lawn reseeding, but the beloved October tradition carried on. The park improvements aim to make watering more efficient and support its lawns, trees and landscaping. Father Dave and Pastor Mateo opened the event with prayer. Father Emilio then joined the gathering to bless animals for the remainder of the event. Inspired by St. Francis of Assisi’s love for animals and creation, the annual blessing offers a time to recognize the companionship, comfort and joy animals bring to our lives. Some of the messages shared during the service included: Gratitude for animals and the affection and companionship they offer. Our responsibility to care for creation , protecting animals and treating them with kindness. God’s covenant with every living creature , reflected in the reading from Genesis. The beauty and variety of creation , celebrated in Psalm 104. Hope for creation’s renewal , expressed in the reading from Romans.