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.

Andrea McKenna • November 10, 2026

Public Invited to Tour Straw Bale Cottage Construction at Rams Hill

Borrego Community Builders is inviting the public to tour its Straw Bale Cottages under construction at Rams Hill on Monday, November 16, at 10 a.m.

The behind-the-scenes tour will offer a firsthand look at the four planned cottages, including their sustainable building features, construction progress and design. The project incorporates straw bale insulation and energy-efficient systems while blending Spanish Revival architecture with the desert surroundings.

The tour will include welcome remarks from Rams Hill leadership, project updates and an opportunity to ask questions. Golf cart transportation will be available if needed. Attendees are asked to wear closed-toe shoes.

Following the tour, guests are invited to the Rams Hill Golf Club clubhouse for coffee, pastries and conversation with the project team.

The meeting location is the Rams Hill Golf Club parking lot, 1881 Rams Hill Road.

To RSVP or for more information, contact Gabriela Dow at 858-735-2922 or info@borregocommunitybuilders.com. Visit BorregoCommunityBuilders.com for more information.