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 1, 2025

Pegleg Smith Liars’ Contest: 2025

Pegleg Smith Liars’ Contest 2025

Mark your calendars! The Pegleg Smith Liars’ Contest is set to take place, promising an unforgettable evening of storytelling and creativity. While event details are still being finalized, the date is confirmed—plan your visit to Borrego Springs and invite your friends to join in the fun!

Don’t miss this unique celebration of imagination and community. Reach out to us if you would like to stay in the loop!

Quick Facts about the Pegleg Smith Liars’ Contest:

Event Date: 3/1/2025

Location: It will take place at the American Legion Post 853 at 4515 Borrego Springs Road, Borrego Springs, CA.

Start Time: The contest begins at dusk.

Setting: This outdoor event is traditionally held by a campfire under the stars.

Historical Context: The Pegleg Smith Liars’ Contest is the longest-running storytelling contest in the West, with origins dating back to 1916.

Founder: The contest was started by Harry Oliver, an Academy Award-winning art director.

Annual Tradition: It has been held almost every year for over a century, with breaks for significant events like wars and the Covid pandemic.

Activities: Apart from storytelling, the event features fellowship, with food and drink available for purchase.

Legacy: It honors Pegleg Smith, a real historical figure known for his tall tales and supposed discovery of a gold mine.

Participation: The event is free, and attendees are encouraged to participate by sharing their own tall tales.

Judging Criteria: Contestants are judged on presentation, originality, costumes, and the inclusion of Pegleg Smith in their stories.

Awards: Participants receive trophies and certificates, with a potential youth division for younger storytellers.

Organizing Body: The event is organized by C.A.C.T.I. (Committee to Accumulate Curious Tales of Incredibility).

A Storied History

Founded by Harry Oliver, an Academy Award-winning art director, the Pegleg Smith Liars’ Contest has a legacy dating back to 1916. Officially launched in 1948, it holds the distinction of being the longest-running storytelling contest in the West. Through wars, economic challenges, and even the Covid pandemic, this cherished event has endured, keeping the art of storytelling alive for generations.

2019 Pegleg Smith Liars' Event

Venue Details

Location: It will take place at the American Legion Post 853 at 4515 Borrego Springs Road, Borrego Springs, CA.

Set against the backdrop of the borrego desert, the event is renowned for its outdoor setting by a campfire, providing a perfect ambience under the desert stars. Attendees can enjoy food and drinks available for purchase, along with amenities like restrooms and outdoor seating.

Celebrating Pegleg Smith

Thomas Long Smith, known as Pegleg Smith, is the central figure of this event. A multifaceted character of the West, his life as a mountain man, fur trapper, and legendary storyteller continues to spark intrigue, especially regarding his fabled gold mine.

Participation and Awards

The event is free and open to all, encouraging attendees to participate as “Liars” in the contest. Contestants are judged on presentation, originality, costumes, and the inclusion of Pegleg Smith in their tales. All participants receive trophies and certificates, with a special youth division if sufficient young storytellers are present.

Organizers: C.A.C.T.I.

The Committee to Accumulate Curious Tales of Incredibility (C.A.C.T.I.), represented by Diana Lindsay and Jim McKenna, proudly hosts this unique cultural event, inviting everyone to partake in a night of legendary tales and desert camaraderie.

Who is The Elusive Legend of Pegleg Smith?

Pegleg Smith, whose real name was Thomas Long Smith, was a notable figure of the American Wild West, living from 1801 to 1866. He was a mountain man, fur trapper, prospector, and even gained notoriety as a horse thief. His life was a series of bold and adventurous undertakings, from guiding expeditions in the American Southwest to engaging in the fur trade alongside other renowned frontiersmen like Kit Carson and Jim Bridger.

However, what truly cemented his legacy was a story he told of discovering a rich vein of gold-bearing quartz somewhere in the deserts of California. This supposed discovery led to the legend of the Lost Pegleg Mine, which has tantalized treasure hunters for over a century. Despite many expeditions, the mine's exact location remains a mystery, with some believing it lies within a few miles of the Pegleg Smith Monument in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California.

Pegleg Smith's knack for storytelling and the enduring mystery of his lost mine is celebrated annually at the Pegleg Smith Liars Contest, held in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, where tall tales and elaborate yarns are spun in his honor.