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 • May 21, 2024

RAAM Teams to Ride Through Borrego Springs on June 15

RAAM teams will ride through Borrego Springs on June 15. Support local rider Sylvia Maas in raising funds for scholarships for graduating seniors.

Supporting Local Students with RAAM Rider Sylvia Maas

Borrego Springs, CA – On June 15 at approximately 5 PM, the Race Across America (RAAM) teams will pass through Borrego Springs. This thrilling event, known for being one of the longest and toughest endurance cycling races globally, provides a unique chance for our community to come together.

What is RAAM?

The Race Across America is:

Over 3,000 miles long, spanning from the west to the east coast of the United States.
Continuous, with no stages, pushing cyclists to ride non-stop day and night.
Known for its diverse terrains and challenging weather conditions.

Meet Sylvia Maas

Local RAAM rider Sylvia Maas, a dedicated Soroptimist and experienced RAAM participant, is spearheading a fundraising campaign to support our community's graduating seniors. Her mission is to raise $7,000, which will be distributed as seven $1,000 scholarships.

Maas's Fundraising Goals

Total Goal: $7,000
Scholarships: Seven $1,000 scholarships
Purpose: To help students cover essential expenses such as:
Dorm room furnishings
Laptops
Books
Transportation
Other costs associated with starting college

"My fundraising goal this year is to raise $7,000 in scholarship money, giving seven $1,000 scholarships to help the kids get ready for their freshman college year. Whether they need dorm room furnishings, a laptop, books, transportation, or help with any other costs that incur so quickly once a student is on campus. Hopefully, this money can help the kids with a successful start to their new world,” Maas shared.

Why Borrego Springs Students Need Help

Borrego Springs is a small, tight-knit community with limited resources. Many families face financial challenges, making it difficult for graduating seniors to afford the costs associated with starting college. These scholarships aim to alleviate some of the financial burdens and give students a better chance to succeed in their higher education endeavors.

The Role of Soroptimist

Soroptimist International is a global volunteer organization working to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. The Borrego Springs chapter focuses on various community initiatives, including educational support and scholarships for young women, to help them achieve their academic and career goals.

How to Support

The community is encouraged to contribute to this effort. Every dollar donated goes directly to scholarships, ensuring that 100% of the proceeds support local students. Donations can be made through PayPal.

Join the Event

Residents and visitors are invited to enjoy the spectacle of the RAAM teams passing through Borrego Springs. It’s a perfect occasion to:

Witness the endurance and determination of the RAAM cyclists.
Support Sylvia Maas's initiative.
Make a positive impact on the lives of young graduates.

Learn More About Borrego Springs

Puttin’ on the Glitz Gala to Support Performing Arts in Borrego Springs

By BSPAC • November 13, 2026

Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center is seeking sponsors for its November 21 fundraiser

OpiCure Ascent to Freedom ride: Uniting community to honor recovery

By OpiCure Foundation • November 10, 2026

This is more than a bike ride. The OpiCure Ascent to Freedom Ride in Borrego Springs takes place Saturday, November 21, and brings together riders, friends, families, and the recovery community for a full day of connection and celebration, in association with Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Join the ride through the desert, jump into the pickleball tournament (all skill levels welcome), and enjoy meals provided for the riders as we come together to mark sobriety, share stories, and support one another. Whether you’re riding, playing, volunteering, or simply showing up, you’re part of this. Come be part of something bigger than any single activity — come be part of the Ascent to Freedom. “We wanted this to be a fun day that everyone can enjoy. Come meet the Opicure Community and grow with us,” says OpiCure Foundation President Cullen Easter. In the heart of the Anza-Borrego Desert, this inaugural OpiCure event brings together people in recovery, their families, and the cycling community to celebrate sobriety, share stories of strength, and raise awareness about the opioid crisis. "By turning the simple act of riding into a collective ascent toward freedom, it shows that recovery is possible, community heals, and every pedal stroke can move us closer to a life beyond addiction," says Cullen. "The OpiCure Ascent to Freedom is about community, movement, and celebrating recovery in every form." OpiCure Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Non Profit Foundation focused on addressing opioid-related addiction and deaths. More information on the event is available at opicureride.com .

The Gallery at The Palms Presents ARTTALK with The Outliers Artists – Saturday, October 17

By Elizabeth Rodriquez • October 9, 2026

Join us in celebration of Borrego Days and, And now there's this: The Outliers exhibition. Artists will talk about their work and its relationship to "outsider art", the outer boundaries of art production and challenging conventions of mainstream art culture. Refreshments, artists and ARTTALK! - Elizabeth Rodriguez, Curator The Gallery at The Palms at Indian Head 2220 Hoberg Road, Borrego Springs, CA 92004