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 19, 2024

Photography Group Gathers in Borrego Springs: Galleta Meadows

Borrego Springs Full Moon Photography Meetup

On February 24th, 2024, a group of photographers from the "The Best Places To Photograph in San Diego" Facebook group met up in Borrego Springs. The get-together, put together by Johnny Bradley, one of the group's admins, gathered to take photos of the desert landscape and the well-known metal sculptures at Galleta Meadows, starting with the scorpion and grasshopper and finishing at the Serpent.

(And there were home made delicious chocolate chip cookies involved too)

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Galetta Meadows: A Desert Stage Under Moonlight

Galleta Meadows in Borrego Springs showcases over 130 striking metal sculptures by artist Ricardo Breceda, commissioned by Dennis Avery. The collection, ranging from prehistoric to mythical figures, is set in an open desert landscape, making it a favored spot for photographers, especially under the night sky of this International Dark Sky Community.

Borrego Springs, California was designated as an International Dark Sky Community by the International Dark Sky Association on July 31, 2009, marking a significant recognition for its efforts to preserve the night sky from light pollution.

Borrego Springs: A Photographer's Nighttime Paradise

Borrego Springs is recognized as an International Dark Sky Community, making it an ideal spot for photographers, especially for those interested in astrophotography. The area's clear, dark skies away from city light pollution enhance the visibility of stars and celestial events. This photography event coincided with a full moon, which, along with a thin layer of clouds, added an extra layer of intrigue and beauty to the nightscapes captured by the attendees.

A Community of Passionate Photographers

The event brought together photographers of all sorts from the "The Best Places To Photograph in San Diego" group. They came with different skills and from various places, but all shared a love for photography. Together, they swapped tips on where to shoot and helped each other out with camera settings. It was great to see them chat about photography and explore Galleta Meadows, capturing the unique sculptures and landscape.

Photos by Group Member Christine Shaw

Here are some photos from group member Christine Shaw. Christine, who also has GIS expertise, provided a helpful map of the Galleta Meadows sculptures (Download Map). Christine's photos beautifully reflect the essence of the destination and highlight the collaborative and engaging nature of our group excursions.

Note: The map works great with the Avensa Map App: The Avenza Maps® app uses your device's built-in GPS to display your exact location on any georeferenced map, even when you’re out of network range or without an internet connection. The blue dot follows you wherever you go, keeping you on the trail while staying safe.

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Source: Photographer Christine Shaw

Interview with Photographer Johnny Bradley: Meet Up Coordinator

In an interview, Johnny shared his thoughts on organizing such events and the allure of Borrego Springs for night photography:

Q: Why did you pick Borrego Springs for your meet up?

A: To give people a change of scenery and get them out into nature. Borrego has so many things to offer for a wonderful adventure.

Q: What tips do you find yourself giving when taking pictures at night?

A: To give yourself 0 expectations and enjoy the night first. Most people get frustrated taking night photos with it being a learning curve. In those moments I tell people to shut their camera off sit and enjoy your surroundings. Take a breath and then come back to it. When beginning you need to make it fun or you will learn to not enjoy it.

Q: Did you eat in town?

A: I ate at Kendall's and had a nice big breakfast which was fantastic. Plus the people were amazing.

Q: What other parts of the Borrego Springs are do you plan to photograph in the future?

A: I love driving out into Henderson Canyon. Plus drive the Coyote Canyon wash is always amazing with just the massive fields of Ocotillo.

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This meetup under the full moon in Borrego Springs not only provided a platform for photographers to practice and improve their craft but also highlighted the natural beauty and artistic offerings of the area. The event, enriched by the diverse backgrounds of its participants, stands as a testament to the vibrant community of photography enthusiasts in San Diego and beyond.

Explore More with Johnny Bradley

Interested in seeing more of Johnny Bradley's work or joining a community of photography enthusiasts in San Diego County?

Instagram: Follow Johnny @manbehindalens for a captivating collection of his photography adventures.
Facebook Group: Become part of the community where enthusiasts share, discuss, and celebrate the art of photography.

Johnny Bradley: Galleta Meadows Serpent Photo

While engaging in light hearted banter and helping others with their camera settings and set-up in Galleta Meadows, Johnny Bradley still managed to take some incredible photos of the serpent sculpture under the stars.