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 28, 2024

Thanksgiving at The Palms at Indian Head

Thanksgiving celebration at The Palms at Indian Head

Whether you're a local or visiting Borrego Springs for the holiday, The Palms at Indian Head offers an unforgettable Thanksgiving experience. Known for its mid-century charm and stunning desert views, The Palms invites you to savor a five-course Thanksgiving feast at the renowned Coyote Steakhouse. This annual tradition combines fine dining with the opportunity to unwind in one of their beautifully upgraded rooms, creating an ideal holiday escape.

For those preferring a cozy meal at home, Coyote Steakhouse also offers Thanksgiving dinner to-go. Enjoy the same exquisite flavors and traditional dishes from the comfort of your own space.

Book your room, table, or to-go order today for a memorable Thanksgiving in Borrego Springs!

Experience a memorable Thanksgiving celebration at The Palms at Indian Head in Borrego Springs.

Feast at Coyote Steakhouse

Coyote Steakhouse will serve a five-course dinner that has become a beloved tradition over nearly three decades. The menu includes classic Thanksgiving flavors, fresh seasonal ingredients, and a choice of main dishes to suit every taste. From tender roast turkey with sage stuffing to prime rib, filet mignon, salmon, and a vegetarian portobello mushroom option, there’s something for everyone.

Why Stay at The Palms for Thanksgiving?

This historic hotel, with roots in Borrego Springs’ Hollywood past, offers a unique getaway that blends vintage luxury with modern comfort. After dinner, unwind in one of their stylish, newly upgraded rooms. Enjoy views of the surrounding mountains, relax by the Olympic-sized pool, or take a stargazing walk in the peaceful desert night.

A Historic Getaway

The Palms at Indian Head, once known as the Hoberg Resort, has hosted iconic Hollywood stars from Marilyn Monroe to Clark Gable. Built in 1947 and rebuilt in 1958 after a fire, the resort combines mid-century elegance with desert tranquility. It’s named for the stunning California fan palms on the property and its proximity to Indian Head Mountain—a striking desert landmark.

For reservations and inquiries, contact The Palms at Indian Head Hotel: 📞 Phone: (760) 767-7788

📍 Location: 2220 Hoberg Road, Borrego Springs, CA

The Palms at Indian Head Property and Surrounding Area

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Borrego, November 1949: Ten Cents a Copy

By Andrea McKenna • November 2, 2026

Actor Jon Hall, Borrego’s new honorary marshal (center), with the October 1949 Borrego Sun at the opening of Hoberg’s Desert Resort. From left: Sun publisher Paul Strand, Paramount starlet Mari Blanchard, actress Beverly Tyler and Jack Benson of Benson Tours. Photo by Gaylord Johnson, Borrego Sun, November 1949. Courtesy of the Fred Jee Collection.

Old Borego Open House Celebrates the Valley’s Historic Heart

By Martha Deichler • October 31, 2026

Please join the Civic Foundation for its annual Old Borego Days celebration No, Borrego is not misspelled in the title above. This is the way Borrego was spelled back in 1928, when the first post office opened in what is now called “Old Borego.” The site is located at 1580 Rango Way. Please join the Civic Foundation for its annual Old Borego Days celebration of the historic heart of the Borrego Valley on Sunday, November 8, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The turnoff from Rango Way will be marked with a sign. Please note that no restrooms are available. Visitors will be able to enter the old post office and general store, originally run by Eslie Wynn, and view a fascinating video from the 1950s extolling the virtues of life in Borrego Springs. One of the first homes in Borrego Springs will also be open for public viewing, offering a nostalgic look back at life in the community’s earlier years. In addition, Borrego Springs Elementary School fourth graders, who study California history, will have their essays on display. Three students will receive awards for their writing on “Borego Now and Then.” Ram Media Foundation, the nonprofit behind the Borrego Sun, will also share display items from its archive, offering another glimpse into the valley’s past. Old Borego Days Sunday, November 8, 2026 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. 1580 Rango Way, Borrego Springs

BORREGO OUTFITTERS INVITES COMMUNITY TO ANNUAL BORREGO DAYS HOT DOG COOKOUT

By Borrego Outfitters • October 13, 2026

Sheri Garcia and Ben Nourse work the grill during a previous Borrego Days Hot Dog Cookout at Borrego Outfitters. The annual community event returns Saturday, October 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Flashback: When Borrego Grew Gladioli for the West Coast

By Andrea McKenna • October 12, 2026

Photo: From the 2015 Borrego Sun online edition, "Borrego Springs - April 1956, Acres Of Blooms"

Flashback: Guest Chef Nights at the Desert Club, 1955

By Andrea McKenna • October 11, 2026

From the Borrego Sun online edition, 2015 - In this photo, Chef Jacobs looks over a menu with Beverly Burnand and Mrs. Ron Chaney.

A Yacht Club in the Borrego Desert

By Andrea McKenna • September 28, 2026

Borrego Springs Yacht Club Brings Model Sailboat Racing to Rams Hill Borrego Springs is home to an unusual desert pastime: model yacht racing. The Borrego Springs Yacht Club was founded in 2010 by Steve Luckman and Dennis Daoust. The club has grown to about 40 members and operates at a pond on the former nine-hole golf course at Rams Hill. Members race V32 sailboats, 32-inch non-motorized model boats controlled remotely through their sails and rudders. The boats were manufactured in California for decades but are no longer in production. Races typically draw 16 to 20 boats, with courses marked by duck decoys used as buoys. The racing season runs from November through May, although members can practice throughout the year. Six club events are held during the season, including Opening Day in November, the Pacific Cap in January, the Invitational in February, the Misplace Race in March, the Powder Puff in April and the Tequila Bowl in May. Winners receive trophies that are held until the next event. The club also maintains a palapa-style clubhouse and hillside seating overlooking the pond, providing space for members and spectators during race days. Membership was listed at $250 per year. The Borrego Springs Yacht Club offers a distinctive local version of sailing, combining competition, model boat craftsmanship and community activity in the desert. If you have any interest, contact Dennis Daoust at captain-havoc@earthlink.net .

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