April 3, 2024

Eco-Friendly Travel: Hiking Near Borrego Springs

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Eco-Friendly Adventures Galore

Borrego Springs, situated inside Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, offers the perfect base camp for eco-conscious adventurers. This charming town provides all the essentials for a comfortable stay—hotels, grocery stores, and gas stations—catering to the needs of hikers and nature enthusiasts. From here, visitors venture into the expansive state park, exploring over 500 miles of diverse trails.


These paths range from easy, family-friendly walks to challenging treks across breathtaking landscapes, all thoughtfully integrated into the natural environment to ensure minimal impact.


Borrego Springs not only serves as a gateway to outdoor adventures in Anza-Borrego but also underscores the region's dedication to sustainable tourism practices

The Most Popular Trails


  • Slot Canyon: Venture into the heart of the desert through the serpentine twists of Slot Canyon. Its towering walls are natural history books, telling stories of geological time.


  • Borrego Palm Canyon Nature Trail: This path leads to an unexpected oasis, where lush palms rise against the desert backdrop, highlighting the park's ecological diversity.


  • Fonts Point: Dubbed the "Grand Canyon of Borrego," Fonts Point offers sweeping views of the Badlands. The journey there is a walk through epochs, with the landscape's layered history spread out below.


  • Hellhole Canyon Trail to Maidenhair Falls: Discover the unexpected delight of Maidenhair Falls at the trail's end, a testament to the desert's hidden wonders and the vitality of water in this arid landscape.


The Eco-Friendly Aspect


Eco-friendly hiking goes beyond simply enjoying nature; it involves engaging with the environment in a way that ensures its preservation and sustainability.


Here’s how these trails near Borrego Springs align with eco-friendly practices:


  • Minimizing Impact: Sticking to designated trails helps prevent soil erosion and protects the habitats of local flora and fauna. It ensures that the natural landscape remains as undisturbed as possible, allowing ecosystems to flourish.


  • Pack In, Pack Out: Carrying out all trash, including organic waste, helps maintain the pristine nature of these desert landscapes, preventing pollution and harm to wildlife.


  • Conservation Awareness: Hiking in protected areas like Anza-Borrego raises awareness about the importance of conservation efforts. It highlights the delicate balance of desert ecosystems and the need to protect these natural treasures.


  • Sustainable Practices: Encouraging low-impact activities, such as hiking, bird-watching, and photography, reduces the environmental footprint of tourism, making outdoor adventures more sustainable.


These trails offer a unique opportunity to witness the majestic beauty of Borrego Springs while adhering to principles that protect and preserve the environment. By choosing to hike responsibly, we contribute to the conservation of these natural wonders, ensuring they remain vibrant and accessible for future generations to enjoy.


Local Hiking Resources

  • Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association (ABDNHA): Provides extensive information on Borrego Springs, including nature reports, hiking trail guides, and educational resources to enhance your visit. Their insights into the local flora, fauna, and geography make it an indispensable tool for any hiker. Explore more at ABDNHA.



  • California State Parks: Offers detailed information on Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which surrounds Borrego Springs. Their website includes park history, trail maps, safety tips, and guidelines for preserving the park's natural beauty. This resource is crucial for planning your hikes and understanding the park's vast ecosystem. Learn more at California State Parks.


  • AllTrails: Features trail maps, user reviews, and photos from the hiking community in Borrego Springs, helping you find trails that suit your hiking preferences and skill level. Begin planning your journey at AllTrails.


  • Tripadvisor: Contains traveler reviews and ratings on the top hiking trails in Borrego Springs, such as the Borrego Palm Canyon Nature Trail and Fonts Point, providing insights to help you choose the best trails for your adventure. Visit Tripadvisor for more information.


  • BorregoHiking.com: A local guide detailing hikes in and around the Anza Borrego Desert, including Coyote Canyon, Clark Valley, and more. This resource is excellent for exploring the region's diverse landscapes. Discover more trails at BorregoHiking.com.


These resources offer comprehensive information and tools to help you responsibly enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of Borrego Springs and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Learn More About Borrego Springs

December 6, 2025
The second community Shape Note Sing in Borrego Springs
December 1, 2025
Jeanne & Jan Are Back at The Mall Offering Light Repairs for the Community Every first Monday of the month, they set up in front of Tubs Laundromat and Community Valley Bank at The Mall, offering helpful light repairs such as mending, patches, buttons, and hems. The service is always free. If you choose to donate, every donation goes directly to a local Borrego Springs charity. Check Borrego Events to confirm time & dates.
December 1, 2025
A Musical Celebration at BSPAC
December 1, 2025
The Christmas Bazaar features local vendors, baked goods, tamales, and raffles to support the Borrego Children’s Center. Held December 6 at the RoadRunner Clubhouse. The annual Christmas Bazaar to benefit the Borrego Children’s Center will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the RoadRunner Club House, 1010 Palm Canyon. Local vendors will offer handmade items and seasonal treasures, providing an opportunity to get a head start on holiday shopping. The event will also include baked goods and tamales available for purchase. Raffle prizes will be offered throughout the morning, with all proceeds going directly to support the Borrego Children’s Center. Everyone is invited to stop by, shop from local makers, and contribute to an important community resource.
November 30, 2025
A Charlie Brown Christmas piano concert with pianist, arranger, and conductor Steve Hunter at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church on December 21 at 3 PM.
November 26, 2025
Cindie Horn – Textile Artist & Slow Fashion Creator Meet one of the makers featured at Desert Lovers & Co. Cindie Horn has spent years working with fabric, guided by an appreciation for slow fashion and craftsmanship built on time, patience, and intention. She sources and collects textiles gathered over the years and transforms them into pieces that feel personal, functional, and thoughtfully made. Her work at Desert Lovers & Co includes upcycled and embellished denim jackets, colorful phone and tablet pillows, and her popular fabric cactus sculptures. Each piece reflects her eye for detail and her interest in experimenting with textures, patterns, and new techniques. Cindie enjoys challenging herself creatively and exploring fresh ideas through fabric. Her belief that handmade items add comfort, character, and warmth to everyday life comes through clearly in her designs. Desert Lovers & Co is proud to feature the work of Cindie Horn both in the shop and online at DesertLoversandCo.com . Visit Soon: 583 Palm Canyon Dr. Suite D, Borrego Springs, CA, United States, 92004
By Fr. Michael Plekon November 26, 2025
A reflection on Advent’s meaning and the saints who show us how to wait with purpose.
November 25, 2025
Happy Thanksgiving! The Borrego Springs Welcome Sign committee is grateful to the many individuals and businesses who have supported efforts to construct the first new “Welcome to Borrego Springs” sign since the 1970’s. Because of their support, we have raised almost $29,000. Donations have ranged from $10 - $5,000 and we are thankful for every single dollar. Apparently costs to construct and install the signs have gone up significantly in the last year and a half. Therefore, when we thought we had almost reached our fundraising goal, we were told we might need as much as 50% more. The Borrego Village Association has got to work looking at alternative vendors, we are currently requesting estimates, and still hoping to get the job done for closer to the original estimate. If you pledged funds, that pledge will likely be requested in December or January. If you donated cash, please know that it is safely in an account earmarked for the welcome sign. If you haven’t donated yet, PLEASE DO! More funding is certainly needed and appreciated, especially as we have two more signs to construct after this one. To donate: The Borrego Village Association, a 501c(6) c, nonprofit organization, is leading the fundraising. Contributions checks can be made out to the Borrego Village Association and sent to Borrego Village Association. P.O. Box 1133, Borrego Springs, CA 92004. Donations can also be made via PayPal found on our website at BorregoVillageAssociation.org, or made via Zelle transfer. Pledges can be made using the form below. If you have any questions or require further information, email BorregoVillage@gmail.com Happy holidays and with many thanks to those who have - or will - donate, The Welcome Sign Committee - Jim Dion, Bruce Durbin, Nancy McRae, Alicia Wszelaki  -- James Dion Executive Director Borrego Village Association Learn More About Borrego Springs
November 24, 2025
Enter the 20th Anniversary Photo Contest Anza-Borrego Foundation’s Photo Contest celebrates two decades of photography that helps reveal what most visitors never see. This milestone year honors the images that have captured the Park’s hidden moments—fleeting blooms, rare wildlife, dramatic weather, and the quiet details across 650,000 acres of desert terrain. Below is a simple overview of what participants can expect this year. For full details and to submit your photos, visit ABF’s website. Why the Contest Matters Showcases what is often missed in the Park’s vast, remote landscapes Highlights the biodiversity and resilience of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Helps people connect more deeply with the land through visual storytelling Why Photography Supports Conservation 65% of people are visual learners Visual content increases engagement by 94% Images are processed 60,000x faster than text—one photo can say what pages cannot Awards & Recognition (Full descriptions available on the ABF website) Best in Show: Ribbon + resort stay + dinner + ABF program Category Winners: Ribbons + ABF membership Honorable Mention & People’s Choice: Ribbon + gallery display Winning photos will be exhibited at the Borrego Art Institute in early 2026 2026 Categories People Enjoying the Park Animals of Anza-Borrego Desert Black & White Landscapes Nightscapes Plants New: Youth Category (high school and younger) Cell phone photographs accepted in all categories How to Enter (Round 1 Overview) Submit up to 10 photos Upload JPEG files under 5 MB Photos from any year are eligible All online entries considered for People’s Choice Judges select finalists to move to Round 2 (print submission) Deadline Submit your photos by December 10, 2025. Learn more, read the full rules, and enter online: theabf.org/experience-anza-borrego/photo-contest/ Learn more and enter at: theabf.org/experience-anza-borrego/photo-contest/ Learn More About Borrego Springs
November 24, 2025
A full month of creative workshops, hands-on learning, and holiday projects  December at the Borrego Art Institute brings a full schedule of classes for all ages and skill levels—from drawing and sculpture to kids’ art, yarn-making, and an olive oil tasting at the ArtPark Café. Whether you’re a resident, seasonal visitor, or weekend explorer, Studio West offers plenty of ways to create, learn, and enjoy the season.
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