Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

There may not be a Lost Dutchman Mine, but this is definitely a desert treasure.
If you’re not into deserts than this isn’t your place. But if you can brave the heat there are some fun things to do and see.
The visitor center, which is in a bunker like building was a surprise! When you first drive into the parking lot all you see is a bathroom, nothing else. Figuring this was another bad Unilocal location I walked around the area anyway. I then saw a sign that pointed to the Visitor center. You might totally miss it if you didn’t walk all the way down the path.
This underground oasis is ice cold inside. You’re directed to watch a movie of the Anza-​Borrego desert and it’s worth watching. The rest of the center has nice exhibits of stuffed desert wildlife and informational kiosks. It’s actually quite cool considering the location. The one thing that was «family fun» was the back hands-​on room. Many pelts of indigenous animals you can pick up and examine. Plenty of rocks and other things to interact with too.
Outside the visitor center is a small trail, and if it’s winter, you can take the more aggressive Hellhole trail.
— Tip
Check out the giant Galleta Estate metal sculptures by Ricardo Breceda.
There are two main clusters of sculptures. One is north west, the other south East. Ask the volunteers at the visitor center for a map.

This place has so much to offer. In 2 days we did a night hike to the Marshal South homestead on Ghost Mountain. After that we headed over to the mud caves and hiked through one of the slot canyons that night. The next morning we found a couple of the mud caves. With our headlamps on we explored these amazing creations. After that we headed over to Palm Spring (not to be confused with the city of Palm Springs). There is a historical marker there about when the Butterfield stage coach ran through there. Read all about each location and with links to map locations in my blog. Happy Hiking!
Lovz2hike

We rented a cabin over New Year’s Eve and had an amazing time. The campground got a little (understandably) loud on NYE, but it was an otherwise relaxing and enjoyable time. Kinda a bummer how close the cabins are to the highway, but they were clean, warm, and super cozy. Make sure you head the warnings about no dogs on the trails. They are there for a reason and there is a TON of cholla sitting around just waiting to ruin you and your furry friend’s camping trip. Make sure you check out the visitor center, it is amazing!

My boyfriend and I went here for my birthday present — hiking. Advice to all who decide to go — WATER. Make sure that you are hydrated for the entire time you are there. He drove the way there while I passed out in the shotgun as the ride made me sleepy.
Once we got there, there were bathrooms there though fair warning, there are no doors, so use it quick! We walked for some time, lots of sand trying to find the Palm Oasis. We rested along the trail occasionally as the sun was bright and the giant rocks had shade every once in a while. We saw a fat lizard and then the rare bighorn sheep. We eventually came across a small river and decided to follow it along eventually finding a waterfall. Being adventurous and curious, my boyfriend climbed up and I joined him. It was my first time ever scaling a rock and boy it did feel good when you reached the top. We helped some others who were as intrigued as we were on where the water came from to climb up the rock.
We eventually did find the Palm Oasis and then went around a different way to climb around all the rocks and such. Did some caving/​spelunking which was very short and cool at the same time. Spontaneous as we were, we went on the alternate route back to where we parked. That… was LONG. And very hot.
Good tip is to bring a towel with you to put on your head so your head is not exposed too much to the sun so it gathers a lot of heat. As silly as you will look, it will cool down your head by a bit. Got that from the boyfriend as well. He had pretty much prepped all the waters/​towels/​and such for this hike.
Definitely will want to come here again — just have to bring more water to keep hydrated. No cell phone reception but GPS still works!

Go now spring flowers are gorgeous! Lots of fun trails like Palm Canyon (must do) don’t forget to bring your camera & binoculars for star gazing in the evening

I can’t believe it took me so long to finally visit, but better late than never! The bf and I were particularly intrigued by the prospect of a bountiful bloom of desert flowers, but alas we were a bit too early to see them at their height. However, there were many more delightful things we did get to see: there are wonderful giant metal sculptures of animals in a particular area of the park, a little outside of the main drag area. Apparently a guy who owns great swaths of land around there commissioned a sculptor to create all these amazing sculptures. They are a sight to see and worth seeking out (especially the dragon!). We also took a drive out to the wind caves and saw amazing structures carved by wind and rain into the rocks – they looked like groovy 60s space ships. Since we only had one day out there that was about all we were able to do, but we’re looking forward to our next trip and possibly camping out there!
STEPH JUDGEMENT: Wonders (most natural, some man-​made) abound in Calfornia’s largest state park.

First time at this park, camped at Fish Creek and had a stellar time. FREE camping and plenty of space despite spring break crowds – don’t feel confined to the sun-​exposed official camp area, you can camp in the shade of the cliffs nearer the wind caves for a much more private and cooler (temp wise) exerience. Be sure you don’t park more than a car’s length off the trail – we didn’t know that rule and had a lil run in with local authorities although luckily it all turned out fine.
It was amazing to see bright, plucky desert flowers poking out of the dry sand, and we caught sight of several wild turkeys on the way to the park.
Nothing like enjoying complete silence, breathtaking stars thanks to zero light pollution, and family bonding with s’mores, hot dogs and tall tales around the camp fire.
We’ll definitely be back to check out Kumeyaay art, bighorn sheep, fossil hunting, etc.

Very pretty place to visit. The desert was very pretty and the flowers were too. The park houses a small town in it. Kinda like the old days of the west.
The park has different hikes through it. The grounds are kept well and no pollution in sight. No garbage either to be seen. Which is awesome because this is the first park where they actually kept it clean.
I would come back again to see the Hawks come back and feed on the caterpillars as well as the butterflies who just came out of their cocoons.

Just two hours away from San Diego, it’s amazing what you can find in this amazing state park! You really feel like you’re on a different planet, or in a smaller scale a different state. :)
From the mud caves to the metal sculptures, the slot canyons to Font’s Point as well as the wildflowers when in bloom, there’s just so much to see and so much to do, definitely need a full weekend here and that’s on the almost too short end of the timeframe.
Definitely make some time to come out here, it’s a great state park that should be enjoyed without having to drive too far. But be warned though, it’s sooooo hot out here! You can definitely feel the heat of the sun directly on your skin just piercing through so bring lots and lots of water and sunscreen.

Good thing I had my barf bag handy… Those back mountain roads and switch back turns darn flipped my gut upsides wrong…
Borrego Springs sits in a quaint pocket of desert goodness… I’m sure you might fine a bottle of «cactus shine» if you looked long enough…
The approachable goodness of Galleta Meadows, made ever so famous by the larger than life random metal sculptures creaking in the wind… Day and night… They sit in deep solitude… Whatever the weather diseased by rust and bird droppings…
Attack scenes of Prehistoric Times…
Look mommy, let’s take a selfie in front of the saber tooth tiger taking a bite out of the cute horse…
I’d recommend getting yer paws on a sculpture map (online) for precise locations as I wandered aimlessly around in dust circles looking for the infamous dragon that is diving through the dirt…

We took a day trip to the Anza-​Borrego Desert from South San Diego and had a great time. We started by stopping by the visitor center, the volunteers where helpful in directing us to what we wanted to see and provide free maps.
We drove to the end of Di Giorgio Road to see the flowers. There were nice but there were not a lot of them yet. There were some flowers at the visitor center but it was really crowed so not very relaxing. (3÷5÷2016)
We then drove around to see the sculpture some we better than others. We loved all the dinosaur ones. Some were harder to get to. We were driving a Silverado and had no problems going down the dirt/​rocky roads. We saw some people going this roads in small cars and they seamed to be doing fine. The sculptures are spread out so you have to drive to them specially the larger dinosaurs. WF-​6, WF-​5, WF-​3, WF-​4 on the «Sky Art Map». There is a small dirt road (we missed it) It is not labeled on the map, ti is right after the bent when you are coming down Borrego Springs Road from the Christmas Circle. This road is a lot smother than Anzo Drive if you are trying to get to the large dinosaurs.
If you are on the road to see the Gracile Sabertooth Cat/​Extinct Hourse (FT-​11) set of sculptures you cannot get to the dinosaurs (WF-​3 through WF-​5) you would have to go back to the road I described above or continue heading E on Borrego Springs Road and turn on Anzo Drive. Anzo Drive is pave for a little bit but then it becomes a dirt/​bumpy/​rocky road.
We run out of time and the weather was turning so we only did a small part of The Slot [I will have to update when we go back]. To together we traveled from the Carnotaurus/​Allosaurs sculptures (WF-​4) E on Borrego Springs Road to the 78E about 1.5 miles on the left there is a small sign somewhat low to the ground for Buttes Pass Road. This is a dirt road you will follow this staying to the the left (if you go to the right at the Y you go to Hawk Canyon) you will dead-​end at The Slot. There is a trail entrance to the right over the small hill.
UPDATE: The Slot is a good «short» hike there is some tight spots and you do have to clime over some boulders but I feel it is beginner friendly. There were a LOT, LOTS, of caterpillars it made it hard to walk without stepping on them. They were even on the walls of the canyon so when you walked through the tight spots you would knock them down. (3÷12÷16)

I visited Anza Borrego specifically to hike to «The Slot» a narrow passage cut between rocks in a small ravine.
The Slot is surreal and beautiful but I was a bit underwhelmed. Apparently all of the photos I had seen of it were either at ideal lighting times or had tons of editing and filters to make them look flashy. Some of the walkways are VERY narrow, I could barely fit my backpack! So be prepared to take your time and walk sideways at times.
From the trailhead to The Slot is less than half a mile, so you can continue on (the path widens) as long as you want to extend your workout. The path diverges at times so there is plenty to see and if you’re feeling really adventurous you can even climb!

If you happen to have children (or you yourself simply enjoy Disney movies), specifically, Cars, you’ll appreciate Anza-​Borrego. We referred to it as our Radiator Springs for a multitude of reasons; it’s quirky small town feel, the rustic and three-​dimensional mountains, etc. Of all our desert stays, this one was the best. From the descent down the mountain top with sweeping vistas of the valley, you get a chance to really appreciate the town. Take a tour of the metal sculptures throughout and tour the dry lake bed and you start to get a sense for what draws people into the desert. Far and away, the evening sunset was the most memorable moment. It was picture post card perfect. With limited internet access, you may get stuck close to other campers but there was no lack of room to explore.

A must see place. So different activities to do there such as camping, hiking, piking, and exploring. The road to get up there is beautiful. I love the sculptures in the secret desert.

Bring your off road vehicle, your camera and lots of food and water. There is lots to see in this 100 square mile park: geologic oddities, cactus, amazing metal sculptures, sweeping vistas, ancient native American sites and the sounds of silence.
Sofie and I talked with Terry at the visitor’s center who told us the best attractions to see for the time we had to be there. I recommend you talk to Terry or one of the other volunteers at the visitor center to recommend what to see. They will ask you how much time you have, what sort of car you have (off road?) and what you enjoy doing — then sort out a plan for you given the season.
There are a surprising number of metal sculptures throughout the desert — and themselves a reason to visit the park.
Here is what we saw for our one day trip:
Sculptures — they are everywhere.
Slot Canyon — an impressive canyon cut through layers of sedimentary rock that is so narrow in points you may find the need to turn sideways and «suck it in». The temperature changes in the canyon are quite noticeable as you walk through the canyon.
Narrows Earth Trail — a flat loop in a wash that has numbered points that explain the geologic significance of the area: faults, igneous and sedimentary rock jointed and the consequences of erosion. Scenic and interesting.
Village Site — up Mine Wash is the remnants of the stone grinding dips in the granite rocks where native Americans processed their food while they wintered in this particular area. Boulders in the area served as convenient places to sleep in the day as they offered a cool area to recline.
Cactus Loop Trail — a self-​guided tour where a variety of cactus and other desert plant life are explained. It was here that Sofie was kissed by a Teddy-​bear Cactus. Be careful on this trail as it affords many opportunities to have a «story to tell». We visited this trail in the late afternoon. This was a good time to visit because the low light made the cactus glow and there was a gentle and refreshing breeze that followed us.

Enormous State Park with a lot of interesting geological and historical sites, some of which take quite a bit of effort to get to, requiring accurate GPS readings and 4WD along sandy dirt roads while others are extremely accessible. There are also quite a few activities and guided hikes and walks throughout the week. Excellent visitor’s center. There are also night activities, including describing constellations and such, as Borrego Springs and the Park are designated as Dark Sky Communities.
Palm Canyon is extremely accessible, following a canyon up to an oasis of palm trees. The last two times we’ve gone here, we’ve seen bighorn sheep that were surprisingly close.
I have not camped here, but the facilities look well maintained, and everyone has been extremely helpful every time we’ve been there.
I should also mention that while many State Parks are not accessible or even open at night or have limited options, this is open. And this is a beautiful thing since the night sky is magnificent out here, something you don’t want to miss, as you can see the Milky Way banding overhead, especially during the summer when the galactic core is higher in the horizon.

I hate giving a state park three stars. but it’s appropriate.
Sure, it’s beautiful. A nice windy road drive (I’m saying that sarcastically because I seem to not be a very good passenger on windy car rides anymore. so heads up to my fellow sufferers!) and really lovely views. It was a beautiful day for a hike. Crisp and cold air but sunny!
With all that said…
We chose the Yaqui Wells Trail as a good hike for the family. Online, the hike is called an ‘easy’ 1.6 mile roundtrip hike. Well, sounds perfect for the family. My kids are good hikers!
The map was completely useless. The only sign present was the trail-​head sign. The actual trail is more rocks and small boulders than anything else. We made it about ¾th of the way but felt it was necessary to turn around since the rocks were really unsteady. While my kids are good hikers, I really didn’t want to deal with broken ankles over winter break.
We saw some people hiking down and they confirmed the ‘trail’ is basically small boulders and rocks the entire way up. Bummer!
Redeeming part… the trail is located right across the road from a nice campground and a ranger station. The rangers were friendly and the campgrounds seemed to be well kept.

The State Park Visitors Center Alone is Well Worth a visit here in Borrego Springs. There is so much to learn and see for family’s as well as anyone interested in the History of this fantastic desert.
Very hot in the summer the visitors center is built into the hillside and well air conditioned so it’s a nice relief from the sun. Lots of restrooms also.
The wildlife is abundant and you might even get to see some wild longhorn sheep.
The town of Borrego is minutes away with several good places to grab a good bite to eat.
I recommend these places.
Carmelita’s Mexican. 4 Stars.
Kendall’s Café. 3 ½ Stars
Carley’s Place 3 ¾. Stars. (Bar Liquor & Food)
Jilberto’s –taco-​shop. 3 Stars.
El Borrego Taco Stand. 3 ½. Stars.
And the Fudge Factory for The Best Date Shake’s and Hand Made Fudge In San Diego County.
All good choices when your ready for a break.
Have Fun and Enjoy Your Visit.

Made a day trip out here on Wednesday.
The visitor’s center is a «must check out», it is a super cool building, and it is actually cool inside. A fair amount of exhibits displayed give a very nice overview of the Desert park. The volunteer staff are very helpful and tours of the desert are launched from the visitor’s center.
We did a ¼ mile walk on a path that has guide panels every 20 – 50 feet explaining what you are looking at. It’s an incredibly expansive park, and very interesting to see. Getting there from North County takes you through some serious roads, very twisty and requiring serious attention, otherwise, you run a solid risk of driving off the road… watch your speed!
There is not much out there but nature, and if that is your thing, you will be a happy camper!

Anza-​Borrego state park is really one of kind. With over 600,000 acres there is plenty to do and see.
I’ve been enjoying the park since I was a kid and still enjoying it as an adult. They have primitive, family style camping, cabins and if you are more into «Glamping» they have spots for up to 35 ft RVs. Not only do they camping of all types but you can find all kinds of things to do. You can hike over 100 trails that range from a few miles to multiple day backcountry hikes. Tons of 4×4, horseback riding, bouldering, caving, photography or just exploring.
Here’s a little advice if you want to enjoy your experience. Buy the Anza-​Borrego desert region book. You can buy it at REI or online. It has all kinds of information and will allow you to «plan» your trip. Be prepared! Bring plenty of water and food. Be safe and most of all have fun.

The term «Badlands» has a specific scientific meaning that refers, more or less, to an area with soft alluvial soil and prone to flash storms and high winds. Massive erosion strips away the land, leaving a stark desert landscape with nothing but scrub oak for shelter.
The Anza-​Borrego is the largest Badlands in the United States. It was named after Juan Bautista de Anza, a Spanish explorer, and the Borrego (Bighorn) sheep that live here. It is a vast, dry bowl, 609m deep, with 1000 km of roads and trails and the gorgeous Santa Rosa Mountains to the north.
The Anza-​Borrego is a favorite with motorcyclists, who rip all over its hills and create dust clouds you can see for miles. Campers love it for the clear, cold nights full of strange noises and shooting stars. Paleontologists love it for the wealth of fossils to be found here. Many of these are Caribbean in origin, having been deposited before the Panama Isthmus joined the Americas together.
The area used to sink even deeper into the earth, until 1905, when engineers for the Union Pacific Railroad accidently burst a natural levee and flooded this section of the Colordado Desert with water from the Colorado River. The Railroad made the best of it by calling their mistake the Salton Sea and selling off vacation plots and homes to the unwary.
This is a state — not a federal — park, so money is an issue, and pampering is out of the question. But along with the lack of attention comes a freedom to roam at will, gun your motorcycle engine, and pitch your tent wherever your whim takes you. And there is something to be said for that.