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.

Gary Henderson • October 12, 2026

Studio 628 in Borrego Springs

Art, Texture and Form in Borrego Springs

Studio 628 brings regional and visiting artists to the heart of Borrego Springs. Curated by Gary Henderson of Gary Henderson Interiors, its exhibitions explore the connections between art, craft and contemporary design through photography, assemblage and other creative forms.

Visitors are invited to discover new work, meet artists at opening receptions and experience collections that bring different perspectives to the desert’s art community.

Art and Excitement at studio 628 in October

Gary Henderson Interiors launches its 2026-2027 season in Borrego Springs on Oct. 24 with “Mixed Tempos,” an exhibition featuring six innovative artists. Kevin Goddess, Victoria Johnson, Kippi Leonard, Robert Landry, Wil Gardner and Marcy Gregory will be featured at GHI’s studio 628 through Nov. 30. This exhilarating curated collection features art with dramatically different pacing, rhythms and energy levels, and is not to be missed.

The opening reception is Sat., Oct. 24 from 5-7 p.m., as well as a sneak preview of galeria el patio.