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.

May 12, 2026

He Lost His Hand. Then Picked Up Golf: Briem’s Story at Rams Hill

Watch the video to hear Briem Cole's story and learn about his goals.

Filmmaker Colt Knedler captures the inspiring story of Briem Cole and his journey through adversity.

At Rams Hill Golf Club in Borrego Springs, Briem Cole is known for more than golf. People quickly notice his attitude. He is upbeat, motivated, and friendly, even while facing challenges many people never experience.

Briem lost his hand in an accident. Instead of letting it define him, he kept moving forward while working far from home and supporting his family.

“Briem has a superpower,” said filmmaker Colt Knedler, who spent a day with him capturing his story at Rams Hill. “Being upbeat, motivated and friendly, all in the face of adversity.”

Knedler said it takes only a few minutes with Briem to understand his strength.

“All it takes is a few minutes to realize his strength in dealing with issues that a lot of people never face. Being thousands of miles from home, losing his hand in an accident, supporting his family from afar.”

Like anyone, Briem has ups and downs. But he continues to approach each day with determination and optimism. That attitude has made him an inspiration to the people around him.

Golf became part of that journey. The game requires patience, resilience, and the ability to recover from mistakes. Those are qualities Briem understands well. At Rams Hill, he continues to build his skills while becoming a familiar and encouraging presence around the club.

For Knedler, sharing Briem’s story is about more than documenting one person’s experience.

“We all fight our own battles in life,” he said. “Hopefully Briem brightens your day and gives you a boost of positivity that he is always willing to share.”

Briem’s story resonates in Borrego Springs. It shows how someone can face adversity with determination, gratitude, and a willingness to lift others up.

Learn More About Borrego Springs

La Casa del Zorro Offers Sunset Dinner Specials

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Sunset Dinner Specials at La Casa del Zorro

Puttin’ on the Glitz Gala to Support Performing Arts in Borrego Springs

By BSPAC • September 26, 2026

Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center is seeking sponsors for its November 21 fundraiser

Restoring The Salton Sea: Progress, Promise, And Pressure

By NBC Palm Springs • September 25, 2026

There are so many tales of the Salton Sea, it's hard to know what's really the truth.

Shop the Rack, Support the Community: Frugal Coyote Launches Nonprofit of the Month

By Anna Abatzoglou Executive Director, Borrego Valley Endowment Fund • September 24, 2026

Frugal Coyote is giving shoppers a new way to support Borrego Springs with its Nonprofit of the Month program.

Equitable Building Decarbonization Program

By California Energy Commission • September 23, 2026

The goals of the Equitable Building Decarbonization Program are to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in homes and advance energy equity. The Direct Install Program provides decarbonization retrofits to low- and moderate-income households. The Statewide Incentive Program incentivizes the increased adoption of low-carbon technologies. In addition to reducing GHG emissions, the Equitable Building Decarbonization Program will strive to encourage resiliency to extreme heat, improve indoor air quality, improve energy affordability, provide electric grid support, and increase payment of prevailing wage to the implementing workforce. Programs include: EBD Statewide Direct Install Program The Equitable Building Decarbonization Statewide Direct Install Program provides and installs energy-efficient upgrades to low-income households. EBD Tribal Direct Install Program The program will serve residential buildings owned or managed by a California Native American tribes, tribal organizations, or tribal members. EBD Statewide Incentive Program Loan loss reserve and interest rate buy downs to reduce the cost of loans for home energy retrofits that improve efficiency and reduce GHG emissions. Learn More: www.energy.ca.gov Contact: Equitable Building Decarbonization Program equitablebuildingdecarb@energy.ca.gov