Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a vast desert preserve located in southern California. It is known for its rugged landscapes, unique flora and fauna, and stunning wildflower blooms in the spring.
It is California’s largest state park, covering more than 600,000 acres. The wide dirt roads, vast wilderness areas, and miles of trails in the desert make for an experience that cannot be forgotten. The bighorn sheep (borrego is Spanish for “lamb”) and the explorer Juan Bautista de Anza inspired the park’s name.
Visitors may expect to encounter roadrunners, golden eagles, kit foxes, mule deer, and bighorn sheep, in addition to the beautiful wildflowers, palm groves, and cacti found here. The park’s remote location and spectacular starry skies have made it a popular tourist destination. There are many options for trekking, native plant and animal observation, and relaxing in natural hot springs. You won’t find any modern conveniences like hot showers or mobile service here!
Activities at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Anza-Borrego is a natural paradise that offers a variety of outdoor activities, such as exploring the desert landscape’s deep ditches and washes, searching the cliffs for bighorn sheep, and camping beneath a night sky filled with stars.
Trails at Anza Borrego State Park
Pictograph Trail
On a trail that loops around for 1.8 miles, visitors can see rock art that dates back hundreds or perhaps thousands of years. As you approach the historically significant pictographs, take in the sights of Little Blair Valley and Granite Mountain. It would be a shame to miss out on the magnificent rock art because you forgot your camera!
Borrego Palm Canyon
A loop route that is 3.25 miles long and immediately west of Borrego Springs. Hikers that take this well-known path will find themselves in a palm-studded canyon that is also home to sagebrush, barrel cactus, and other species of local flora. Since the visitor centre is most easily accessible from this trail, it is an excellent choice for beginning hikers.
Cactus Loop Trail
This trail is an easy circle that goes around 0.7 miles and is great for people of all ages and abilities. Because of the trail’s remote location, you won’t run into many other hikers while you’re out there on the Cactus Loop Trail. This walk is ideal for cactus enthusiasts because it is directly across from the Tamarisk Grove Campground.
Calcite Mine
You will travel into the Santa Rosa Mountains on the Calcite Mine Trail while following an old mine path. A short climb of under 4 miles will take you to an abandoned calcite mine that operated during World War II. You’ll experience some spectacular slot canyons on this trek, but watch for rattlesnakes!
Camping in Anza Borrego State Park
The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park has over one hundred campsites, so it is safe to assume there is enough room for everyone. You can stay in one of Anza’s rustic tent campgrounds, in the surrounding bush, or in an RV park.
Stargazing in Anza Borrego State Park
The Milky Way is best seen at Anza Borrego Desert State Park, with the park known for its celestial astronomy. The Anza Borrego Desert State Park visitor center hosts stargazing events. Consult a constellation specialist and carry binoculars when you walk outside. The Borrego RV Resort springs are another desert stargazing spot. A small observatory with an 11-inch telescope provides public talks and stargazing events at this campground.
Address: Borrego Springs, CA 92004, United States
Opens-Closes: 7 am-7 pm
Phone: +1 760-767-4205
Established: 1933
Area: 585,930 acres (2,371.2 km2)
