Borrego Sun - Since 1949

For visitors who enjoy one of the more remote areas of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, October 1 is somewhat like New Year's Day as "Desert Season" arrives, and the summer closure of this area is lifted.

Coyote Canyon is closed to visitors annually between June 1 and September 30 to allow bighorn sheep undisturbed access to an important water source during the searing heat of summer.

But as summer fades and temperatures cool, the public can now return to this grand area of scenic beauty that offers off road adventures, challenging hikes, prime birding locations, wildlife viewing and simply time in an untouched wild place.

Coyote Canyon is a deep cut between towering mountain ranges, winding more than 10 miles northwest from Borrego Springs. Some of the road is maintained for passenger vehicles, but to really explore the area, high clearance is required and some of the upper areas are four-wheel-drive only.

The canyon was created by massive geological forces, thanks to the Coyote Creek section of the San Jacinto fault that runs right through the area. This is an active seismic zone, and it's not uncommon for earthquakes to jolt visitors.

But there is a long record of human history through Coyote Canyon, used as a travel route by ancient Cahuilla and Cupeno peoples, not to mention the route taken by Juan Bautista de Anza in 1774 and again in 1776 as the first overland expeditions brought Mexican Settlers to what was eventually to become San Francisco.

As part of California's largest state park, visitors can wander into a unique wilderness and imagine what it was like for these early travelers since little has changed since that time.

Efforts in the 1960's attempted to promote a highway through the canyon, but the idea was eventually abandoned, and this magnificent landscape of such geologic, cultural and natural diversity was preserved. A portion of the canyon remains permanently closed to any motorized traffic.

Coyote Canyon can offer an exciting day trip, or a more extended opportunity for desert exploration as well as camping at a remote campground deep within the canyon in an area known as Collins Valley.

To get there, go east on Palm Canyon Drive (S-22) from Christmas Circle in downtown Borrego Springs and turn left (north) on Di Giorgio Road. Continue north until the pavement ends and this is the entrance to the nearly 75,000-acres of Coyote Canyon.

Travelers to this area would do well to come with a copy of "The Anza-Borrego Region," an excellent mile-by-mile guide to the many trails within the vast desert park.

Conventional vehicles can make it to Desert Gardens, about three miles beyond the pavement. This is an especially beautiful area for a wide variety of wildflowers in a good bloom year.

Beyond Desert Gardens the road can get more challenging, which also makes it more interesting to hikers and drivers of street legal off-road vehicles.

Continuing northwest from Desert Gardens you will come to First Crossing, so called because it can have flowing water during wet periods.

At five miles, visitors will reach Lower Willows, an area of perennial water and dense riparian vegetation. Travelers through here used to drive in the creek bottom, but a bypass road was completed in 1988 to protect the delicate habitat that is quite unique to the arid desert.

In fact, Coyote Creek, which runs here, is the only year-round stream on the eastern side of the Peninsula Ranges. The Bypass, also known as "Boulder Alley," is a more challenging route and not recommended for anything other than four-wheel drive, although efforts by the state park has made the route less dangerous.

The steep and rocky climb comes out at a beautiful overlook into a broad valley known as Collins Valley and the sandy one lane track is an easy route to drive.

Dropping into Collins Valley, visitors will enjoy an ocotillo forest that can be alive with a brilliant red glow as they bloom in the spring.

At about seven miles, a fork turns west to Sheep Canyon Campground and a series of trailheads into the rugged San Ysidro Mountains via Indian, Sheep or Salvador canyons where there will be hidden palm groves and flowing spring streams.

At 12 miles you will reach Middle Willows where the road beyond is permanently closed to all but hikers.

We could write a book on the many treasures to be found in Coyote Canyon, but what fun is that?

Discover for yourself.

Gear up, carry water, wear a hat, dress for the harsh environment and go explore. Whether it's just a day trip of a week camping at the remote Sheep Canyon Campground, there are places to explore that few people have seen.

Remember, you are enjoying the jewel of California's State Parks. Know the rules and do your part to protect and preserve this special place for future generations to enjoy.

For visitors who enjoy one of the more remote areas of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, October 1 is somewhat like New Year's Day as "Desert Season" arrives, and the summer closure of this area is lifted.

Coyote Canyon is closed to visitors annually between June 1 and September 30 to allow bighorn sheep undisturbed access to an important water source during the searing heat of summer.

But as summer fades and temperatures cool, the public can now return to this grand area of scenic beauty that offers off road adventures, challenging hikes, prime birding locations, wildlife viewing and simply time in an untouched wild place.

Coyote Canyon is a deep cut between towering mountain ranges, winding more than 10 miles northwest from Borrego Springs. Some of the road is maintained for passenger vehicles, but to really explore the area, high clearance is required and some of the upper areas are four-wheel-drive only.

The canyon was created by massive geological forces, thanks to the Coyote Creek section of the San Jacinto fault that runs right through the area. This is an active seismic zone, and it's not uncommon for earthquakes to jolt visitors.

But there is a long record of human history through Coyote Canyon, used as a travel route by ancient Cahuilla and Cupeno peoples, not to mention the route taken by Juan Bautista de Anza in 1774 and again in 1776 as the first overland expeditions brought Mexican Settlers to what was eventually to become San Francisco.

As part of California's largest state park, visitors can wander into a unique wilderness and imagine what it was like for these early travelers since little has changed since that time.

Efforts in the 1960's attempted to promote a highway through the canyon, but the idea was eventually abandoned, and this magnificent landscape of such geologic, cultural and natural diversity was preserved. A portion of the canyon remains permanently closed to any motorized traffic.

Coyote Canyon can offer an exciting day trip, or a more extended opportunity for desert exploration as well as camping at a remote campground deep within the canyon in an area known as Collins Valley.

To get there, go east on Palm Canyon Drive (S-22) from Christmas Circle in downtown Borrego Springs and turn left (north) on Di Giorgio Road. Continue north until the pavement ends and this is the entrance to the nearly 75,000-acres of Coyote Canyon.

Travelers to this area would do well to come with a copy of "The Anza-Borrego Region," an excellent mile-by-mile guide to the many trails within the vast desert park.

Conventional vehicles can make it to Desert Gardens, about three miles beyond the pavement. This is an especially beautiful area for a wide variety of wildflowers in a good bloom year.

Beyond Desert Gardens the road can get more challenging, which also makes it more interesting to hikers and drivers of street legal off-road vehicles.

Continuing northwest from Desert Gardens you will come to First Crossing, so called because it can have flowing water during wet periods.

At five miles, visitors will reach Lower Willows, an area of perennial water and dense riparian vegetation. Travelers through here used to drive in the creek bottom, but a bypass road was completed in 1988 to protect the delicate habitat that is quite unique to the arid desert.

In fact, Coyote Creek, which runs here, is the only year-round stream on the eastern side of the Peninsula Ranges. The Bypass, also known as "Boulder Alley," is a more challenging route and not recommended for anything other than four-wheel drive, although efforts by the state park has made the route less dangerous.

The steep and rocky climb comes out at a beautiful overlook into a broad valley known as Collins Valley and the sandy one lane track is an easy route to drive.

Dropping into Collins Valley, visitors will enjoy an ocotillo forest that can be alive with a brilliant red glow as they bloom in the spring.

At about seven miles, a fork turns west to Sheep Canyon Campground and a series of trailheads into the rugged San Ysidro Mountains via Indian, Sheep or Salvador canyons where there will be hidden palm groves and flowing spring streams.

At 12 miles you will reach Middle Willows where the road beyond is permanently closed to all but hikers.

We could write a book on the many treasures to be found in Coyote Canyon, but what fun is that?

Discover for yourself.

Gear up, carry water, wear a hat, dress for the harsh environment and go explore. Whether it's just a day trip of a week camping at the remote Sheep Canyon Campground, there are places to explore that few people have seen.

Remember, you are enjoying the jewel of California's State Parks. Know the rules and do your part to protect and preserve this special place for future generations to enjoy.