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.

Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area • August 26, 2026

Ocotillo Wells SVRA to Celebrate 50 Years of Desert Adventure

Anniversary celebration set for Nov. 21

Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area will mark 50 years of desert recreation with a community celebration on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the park’s Main Street Event Center.

Established in 1976, Ocotillo Wells SVRA has become a well-known destination for off-highway vehicle recreation in the Southern California desert. The 50th anniversary event will celebrate the park’s history while also highlighting responsible recreation and visitor safety.

The celebration coincides with California State Parks Off-Highway Vehicle Safety Week and will include family activities, park stories and community information.

Ocotillo Wells SVRA marks its anniversary from 1976 to 2026.

Event Details

Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026
10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Ocotillo Wells SVRA Main Street Event Center