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.

February 12, 2026

Anza-Borrego 2026: Early Wildflowers & What’s Coming

Originally Posted on DESERT USA's Youtube

@Desertusa

"In early February 2026, we headed into Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to explore early wildflowers and test new camera gear—including a 360-degree camera that let us capture the desert from entirely new perspectives.

This trip took us along Peg Leg Road, Salton Seaway Road near Fonts Point, Henderson Canyon Road, and Coyote Canyon Road. Along the way, we found early blooms already lining the roadsides, with sand verbena fields beginning to show strong color and promise for the weeks ahead.

Using a mix of traditional cameras and an Insta360 X5, we captured immersive ground-level views that place you right inside the wildflowers—showing not just what the desert looks like, but what it feels like to be there. While this isn’t peak bloom yet, the conditions are shaping up well, especially if additional rain arrives.

This video is meant as a realistic preview for anyone planning a visit to Anza-Borrego in the coming weeks. The flowers are already good, access is easy, and the desert is clearly building toward something bigger.

If you’re wondering whether it’s worth the drive—this is what you can expect right now."

‪@Desertusa‬