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.

Jake Hinton • May 22, 2025

$30,000 in Scholarships Awarded – Class of 2025

Helping Borrego Springs Seniors Take the Next Step

Borrego Springs, CA – May 20, 2025

The Community Room at Borrego Springs High School was filled with celebration as 14 graduating seniors received a total of $30,000 in scholarships through the Bike4BorregoKids fundraiser. The initiative, now in its fourth year, is led by Sylvia Maas, ultra cyclist and member of Soroptimist International of Borrego Springs.

Each of the 14 students received a $1,500 scholarship, and one student—Melanie Urquidez—received an additional $5,000 Female Scholar/Athlete Award for her academic and athletic excellence.

The recipients are:

Valentina Villarreal
Melanie Urquidez
Alex Remfy
Abby Gonzalez
Jasmine Vilchez
Marina Carbajal
Brenda Jimenez
Ailene Arias
Gabby Cole
Angel Garcia
Jose Arias
Alani Perez
Brian Fuentes
Abraham Arambula

“This is my fourth year working with the school,” said Maas. “The first year I raised $5,000. I gave five $1,000 scholarships. The second year $7,000—seven scholarships. Last year, 10 $1,000 scholarships. This year, with amazing community support, friends, family, all of you—we raised $30,000. I just handed out 14 $1,500 scholarships and one $5,000 scholarship, and none of it could have happened without the support of this community.”

The scholarships will be officially awarded in August 2025, just before the students begin their next chapter. Funds will help cover tuition, books, dorm essentials, and, for commuting students, gas and transportation costs.

In attendance at the May 20 event were the scholarship recipients, community members, multiple members of the Borrego Soroptimist, and Francisco “Pancho” Ramirez, who teaches graphic arts and senior seminar and has been a strong presence for students throughout the year.

Beyond scholarships, Bike4BorregoKids supports ongoing academic mentorship, weekly tutoring, leadership programs, and educational excursions. Many recipients are first-generation college students, and the program provides vital resources to help them succeed.

Sylvia Rides Again—For the Kids

On June 1, Sylvia Maas will take on the 2025 Trans Am Bike Nonstop Check Point Edition, a self-supported coast-to-coast race starting in Astoria, Oregon. Riding over 3,500 miles, Sylvia’s goal isn’t just the finish line—it’s to raise more funds for Borrego Springs seniors through Bike4BorregoKids.

Her journey reflects her commitment as a Soroptimist to empower youth through education and opportunity. Sylvia will be sharing updates from the road on local Facebook groups and bike4borregokids.com, giving supporters a chance to follow her progress and cheer her on every mile of the way.

To support future scholarships, visit bike4borregokids.com. Every dollar makes a difference.

“With riding, we use the term DNF—‘Did Not Finish.’ I fight hard not to DNF. And for you, in school and in life, it’s the same. You’ve started something important, and the goal is to finish. That takes self-determination. It takes drive. I have this crazy drive to keep pedaling no matter what—and you’ll need that same kind of energy when things get tough. There will be bumps in the road. That’s normal. Just don’t stop. Keep going.”

– Sylvia Maas, speaking to the Class of 2025

Learn More About Borrego Springs

Before the Ambulance Arrives: What Borrego Springs Residents Should Know

By H. Myers, Paramedic • August 29, 2026

Simple steps to prepare for an emergency.

Borrego Springs Featured Among California Retirement Towns

By Andrea McKenna • August 29, 2026

Borrego Springs highlighted as a retirement destination.

New tool makes applying for benefits faster and easier

By Cassie N. Saunders, County of San Diego Communications Office • August 28, 2026

A new BenefitsCal feature called Truv now helps CalFresh, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal and County General Relief applicants save time, reduce paperwork and avoid mailing costs. The tool launched July 20, 2026, and verifies income and employment electronically during the e-application process. How Truv Works When applying through BenefitsCal, customers can securely sign in to their employer, payroll provider or financial institution. Truv uses secure, encrypted channels, and no information is shared outside the County of San Diego. If the employer participates in Truv, the system automatically pulls available income and employment information. Applicants can then review and confirm the information before submitting their application. “With Truv, it is easy for customers to opt in while applying through the online application tool BenefitsCal app,” said Alberto Banuelos, Interim Director of County Self Sufficiency Services. “It is a win-win, helping our customers save time and money and staff manage higher workloads.” Why It Matters Using Truv means customers don’t need to search for documents, manually enter income details or pay postage to mail paperwork. It also reduces the chance of manually entered errors. Application processing timelines vary: CalFresh reviews can take up to 30 days. Medi-Cal reviews can take up to 45 days. When income information is verified upfront, processing time can be shortened, helping eligible households get connected to critical resources faster. Self-Sufficiency Services supports more than 1.2 million San Diego County residents by providing access to essential public safety net programs. With customer-focused tools, multilingual help and community partnerships, Self‑Sufficiency Services works to make applying for benefits easier, faster and more accessible. Our mission is simple: to help people stay healthy, safe and on a path toward long‑term self‑sufficiency. Cassie N. Saunders is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office. Contact

Archaeology Day Returns to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

By Andrea McKenna • August 27, 2026

Saturday, November 7

George & Rosa Featured in St. Barnabas “Who Is My Neighbor?” Series

By St Barnabas Communications • August 27, 2026

Borrego Springs-made short film screens Oct. 11 St. Barnabas Episcopal Church will present the award-winning short film George & Rosa on Sunday, Oct. 11, from 1–2 p.m. as part of its “Who Is My Neighbor?” film and discussion series. Written, produced and directed by Borrego Springs resident Matt Bosson, the 24-minute drama follows George and Rosa, two people living on the margins who form an unexpected bond despite speaking different languages. The story explores loneliness, companionship and human dignity. George & Rosa was produced entirely in Borrego Springs, with local talent involved in the production and the Anza-Borrego desert serving as its backdrop. The film won Best Medium Short in the Reale Film Festival’s June 2026 Monthly Awards. Bosson worked for many years in television video playback on productions including 24, House MD and Grey’s Anatomy before relocating to Borrego Springs, where he teaches English and continues his filmmaking and music work. His previous short BAD was also filmed and premiered in Borrego Springs. The screening will be held at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 2680 Country Club Road, followed by a community discussion as part of the ongoing “Who Is My Neighbor?” series.

SDG&E’s proposed Powerlink raises wildfire concerns amid growing need for power

By Tammy Murga / Environment Reporter • August 27, 2026

Dozens of residents from Fallbrook and surrounding communities attend an open house at the Fallbrook Community Center on Aug. 26, 2026. SDG&E hosted the event for its proposed Golden Pacific Powerlink. Two other open houses are planned in October. Originally published by KPBS.org on August 20, 2026.

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