Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Overview: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is California’s largest state park, with about 500 miles of dirt roads and 12 wilderness areas around Borrego Springs. Its Visitor Center is at 200 Palm Canyon Drive[1].
What is Anza-Borrego Desert State Park?
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in California, with about 500 miles of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas and many miles of hiking trails[1]. It lies on the eastern side of San Diego County and extends into Imperial and Riverside counties. The park is named for the Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and the Spanish word borrego, for bighorn sheep. Borrego Springs is completely surrounded by it[1][2].
Where do visits start?
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Visitor Center | 200 Palm Canyon Drive; open daily 9 am to 5 pm, 1 October to 31 May |
| Visitor Center parking | Daily 7 am to 7 pm |
| Borrego Palm Canyon and Hellhole Canyon trails | Sunrise to sunset |
| Font’s Point and Slot Canyon | One hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset |
| Campgrounds | Borrego Palm Canyon, Tamarisk Grove and Vern Whitaker Horse Camp; reservations via ReserveCalifornia |
| Dogs | Allowed in campgrounds, on designated park roads and on the Visitor Center/Campground trail |
Hours and closures change by season; the park page carries current alerts, such as road closures in Coyote Canyon[1].
What are the rules for driving?
California Vehicle Code rules apply on all established roadways in the park, including the dirt roads. Only street-legal vehicles are allowed, they must stay on designated roads, and off-highway vehicles are prohibited inside the park[1]. Many dirt roads need high clearance or four-wheel drive. State Parks also warns that typing only the park name into a map app can route drivers onto a 4WD road; use the Visitor Center as the destination[1].
What is there to see?
The park lists bighorn sheep, wildflowers, palm groves, cacti and sweeping views among its draws[1]. Popular stops include the Borrego Palm Canyon trail, which leads to a palm oasis; Font’s Point, a viewpoint over the badlands; and slot canyons. The owners say they first came to the area “to camp, hike, and off road”[3]. See bighorn sheep and wildflowers.
Is the park a dark sky park?
Yes. It was certified as an International Dark Sky Park in 2018[4]. See dark skies and stargazing.
When is the park busiest?
The Visitor Center keeps daily hours from 1 October to 31 May, which matches the cool season when most people visit[1]. Wildflower years bring the biggest crowds, usually in late winter and spring[5]. From June to September, daytime heat often passes 100°F; at Borrego Desert Park, the hottest month averaged a high of about 108°F over 1996 to 2025[6]. Summer hikes should end by mid-morning, and the National Weather Service advises carrying plenty of water and knowing the signs of heat illness[7]. See desert heat safety.
Visitor questions
Is Anza-Borrego the largest state park in California?
Yes, according to California State Parks.
Where is the Anza-Borrego visitor center?
At 200 Palm Canyon Drive, at the west end of Palm Canyon Drive in Borrego Springs.
Are off-highway vehicles allowed in Anza-Borrego?
No. Only street-legal vehicles on established roads.
Footnotes
- ^ a b c d e f g h Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. California State Parks. Viewed 9 November 2026.
- ^ Borrego Springs, California. Wikipedia. Viewed 9 November 2026.
- ^ About the Owners (Toni and Greg). Divine Desert Destination (divinedesertdestination.com). Viewed 9 November 2026.
- ^ Dark Sky. Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association. Viewed 9 November 2026.
- ^ Wildflowers (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park). California State Parks. Viewed 9 November 2026.
- ^ Global Historical Climatology Network daily (GHCNd), station USC00040983, Borrego Desert Park, California. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Viewed 9 November 2026.
- ^ Heat Safety. National Weather Service. Viewed 9 November 2026.