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.

Shandel Sutherland • March 4, 2026

Christmas Circle Needs Your Help

Photo Courtesy of Chad Foreman / Riviera Farms, Borrego Springs

Volunteers and Donations Matter

Christmas Circle Community Park, located in the heart of Borrego Springs, is more than a park. It serves as the community’s front yard. This is where Borrego gathers for festivals, weekly farmers markets, art events, and everyday moments of connection under the desert sky. From the Borrego Days Desert Festival and Borrego Springs Music Festival to Circle of Art and seasonal celebrations, Christmas Circle plays a central role in community life.

Whether it is a picnic beneath the palms or attending a local event, Christmas Circle is part of many Borrego Springs experiences.

A Park Managed by Volunteers

Christmas Circle is not a public, city-funded park. It is overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors and supported through donations, grants, and community involvement. All aspects of park operations, including maintenance and event coordination, depend on volunteers and financial support from those who care about the space.

Challenges Facing Christmas Circle

As Borrego Springs continues to grow as a destination, the costs of maintaining Christmas Circle increase. Volunteers managing the park face ongoing challenges that require immediate and sustained support.

Water and sewer costs with no rate relief from the Borrego Water District
Landscape damage from events, weather, and vehicle activity
Insurance premiums that continue to rise statewide
Low local donations, often due to the misconception that the park is publicly funded
Inflation affecting supplies, repairs, and services
Trash dumping, including household waste left in the park

These issues directly impact the long-term care and usability of Christmas Circle.

How the Community Can Help

Christmas Circle remains a symbol of Borrego Springs community spirit, but it cannot be maintained without active support. There are several ways to help keep the park thriving.

Donate

Even small donations help cover essential operating costs and ongoing maintenance.

Volunteer

Time and skills are just as valuable as financial contributions. Volunteer involvement helps keep the park clean, safe, and welcoming.

Spread the Word

Helping others understand how Christmas Circle is funded builds long-term community support.

Host an Event at Christmas Circle

Christmas Circle offers a beautiful outdoor venue in the center of Borrego Springs for markets, celebrations, and community gatherings. Hosting an event at the park helps support its continued care and ensures the space remains available for future use.

Contact the park for event details and availability. Event use directly contributes to sustaining this shared community space.

Donation Information

Tax-deductible donations can be mailed to:

Christmas Circle Community Park
PO Box 1025
Borrego Springs, CA 92004

(509) 936-1592

Christmas Circle is a lasting part of Borrego Springs’ identity. Continued volunteer involvement and community support are essential to keeping this shared space thriving for generations to come.

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By BSCCA Board • September 13, 2026

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Pegleg Pointers: A 1998 Look at the Pegleg Smith Liars Contest | Historic Borrego Sun

By Phil Brigandi • September 13, 2026

This column first ran ahead of the 50th annual Pegleg Smith Liars Contest in April 1998. Phil Brigandi, a longtime desert historian and four-time contest winner, died in 2019.

Borrego Springs and the Famous San Diego Chicken!

By Gabriel Wisdom, Ram Media Foundation • September 12, 2026

Borrego’s Bill Lawrence joined a sold-out San Diego History Center event celebrating Ted Giannoulas, The Famous San Diego Chicken, and the mascot’s remarkable 50-year legacy.

Christian Center to Host Harvest Festival Oct. 31

By Andrea McKenna • September 12, 2026

Family event will feature games, a puppet show, hayride, food, go-kart races and an evening Youth Zone The Christian Center will host its annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 4 to 6 p.m., offering an afternoon of family-friendly activities for children and families in Borrego Springs. The festival will feature Bible-based games, a Gospel Castle, puppet show, hayride and go-kart races, along with free candy. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase, including hot dogs, chili dogs, nachos, Gatorade, soda and water. After the main festival activities conclude, the Christian Center’s Youth Zone will remain open from 6 to 8 p.m. for students in grades 6 through 12, with additional activities including go-kart races. The Christian Center is located at 675 Weather Vane Drive, Borrego Springs. For additional information, call 760-767-7447. Event Details: Saturday, Oct. 31, 4–6 p.m.; Youth Zone for grades 6–12 from 6–8 p.m.; Christian Center, 675 Weather Vane Drive, Borrego Springs. >> LEARN MORE

Borrego Village Campus: Up to 60 Affordable Homes Proposed on Donated Land

By Andrea McKenna • September 11, 2026

Wellsprings Community Foundation would put housing for seniors and workers, a fire station, and a clinic on 22 donated acres in the center of town

Bargain Barn storefront sign on a white building with star decorations against a dark blue sky.

The Borrego Springs Bargain Barn: Season Update

By American Legion Post 853 Communications • September 10, 2026

Borrego Springs Thrifting for a Cause: Support Veterans at Bargain Barn.

Borrego Springs Sees Lowest Groundwater Pumping Since 2021

By Andrea McKenna • September 10, 2026

Borrego Springs sees its lowest groundwater pumping since 2021, highlighting conservation efforts. Stay updated on local water management.

Rotary Sets Feb. 6 for Annual Fundraiser: A Roaring Twenties Speakeasy

By Andrea McKenna • September 10, 2026

Borrego Springs Rotary will bring the Roaring Twenties to La Casa del Zorro for its annual community fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2027. Each February, the greater Rotary family gathers for one of its most important fundraisers of the year, raising funds to support programs and projects that benefit the Borrego Springs community. Last year’s Mardi Gras celebration drew 110 supporters for an evening of food, fun, raffles and auctions. Their generosity helped Rotary fund 30 student scholarships, send local students to leadership development programs, provide a Christmas toy for every child in Borrego Springs, and award 18 community grants. This season, Rotary is trading Mardi Gras for the glamour of the Roaring Twenties. The 2027 Rotary Annual Fundraiser Dinner will be held Saturday, Feb. 6, at La Casa del Zorro, with a Roaring Twenties Speakeasy theme, complete with Prohibition-era cocktails and period-inspired cuisine. Guests are encouraged to “throw on your glad rags” and join Rotary for what organizers promise will be a festive evening — all in support of programs that directly benefit the community. Save the date: Saturday, Feb. 6, 2027. Additional details, including ticket information, will be announced as the event approaches.

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