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 • June 7, 2024

Film in Borrego Springs and Anza-Borrego: The Ideal Location

Filming in Borrego Springs and Anza-Borrego State Park

Borrego Springs and Anza-Borrego State Park provide filmmakers with a unique and diverse setting for their projects. The region’s vast landscapes and supportive infrastructure make it an ideal choice for film production. Recently, renowned director Paul Thomas Anderson selected the area for his latest project, showcasing its appeal as a filming destination. Below are practical reasons why this location stands out for filmmakers:

Varied and Scenic Landscapes

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, covering over 600,000 acres, offers a wide range of landscapes, from rugged mountains to expansive desert views. Notable formations such as the Borrego Badlands provide filmmakers with distinctive backdrops. These diverse terrains can mimic various environments, from desert scenes to small-town settings, allowing for flexible filming without extensive travel. The park’s geological features, including sedimentary layers from ancient lake beds, add depth to any production.

Accessibility and Local Amenities

Borrego Springs is accessible by road and provides key amenities for film crews, such as lodging, dining, and equipment rentals. Its proximity to Hollywood makes it a convenient location for productions aiming to reduce travel time and maximize on-set efficiency.

Supportive and Safe Community

Borrego Springs is known for its safety and supportive local community, offering an environment conducive to smooth filming operations. The Borrego Springs Film Institute (BSFI) fosters filmmaking in the area by hosting the annual Borrego Springs Film Festival (BSFF) and other community events, which provide networking and exposure opportunities for filmmakers.

Ideal for Night Filming

Anza-Borrego’s dark skies make it a prime location for night scenes and celestial shots. The area is one of Southern California’s best spots for observing stars, providing filmmakers with naturally dramatic night-time visuals.

Film Festival and Local Resources

The Borrego Springs Film Festival highlights the region’s appeal to filmmakers. Local organizations, such as the ABDNHA (Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association) and BSFI, can assist in finding ideal filming locations. The local chamber of commerce is well-versed in supporting film productions, offering accommodations and privacy for cast and crew.

Simplified Filming Permits

Filmmakers can benefit from a simplified permitting process, facilitated by local authorities and the Anza-Borrego Foundation. This streamlined process saves time and reduces the administrative load, allowing filmmakers to focus on production.

Useful Resources for Filmmakers

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Learn More About The Anza Borrego Area

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By Supervisor Jim Desmond • August 30, 2026

Supervisor Jim Desmond outlines County preparations and steps residents can take now.

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R Dub! Launches Greetings from Slowjamastan Series

By REPUBLIC OF SLOWJAMASTAN • August 20, 2026

New unscripted series highlights the Imperial County micronation created by longtime radio broadcaster Randy Williams Radio veteran Randy “R Dub!” Williams is launching a new unscripted series centered on the Republic of Slowjamastan, the micronation he established in Imperial County. Greetings from Slowjamastan premieres Thursday, August 27 at 5 p.m. PT on Slowjamastan State Television’s YouTube channel. New episodes are scheduled to be released each Thursday. Williams is Vice President of Communications and Media for Z90 and Magic 92.5 in San Diego and is the creator and host of the syndicated radio program Sunday Night Slow Jams. He has worked in radio for more than three decades as an on-air personality, programmer, executive and syndicated host. The premiere episode, “Big Trouble in Little Slowjamastan,” includes radio consultant Tim Richards and follows interactions between Slowjamastan representatives and local government authoritie s.

BSFI Free Summer Movies -- AUGUST 2026 at BSPAC!

By Matt Bosson • August 15, 2026

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Anza-Borrego Sunrise to Sunset: A Desert Documentary

By Andrea McKenna • August 4, 2026

Award-Winning Filmmakers Return With Anza Borrego Sunrise to Sunset Documentary

Virtuoso Cellist Ruslan Biryukov to Open East County Performing Arts' 2026–27 Season in Julian

By East County Performing Arts • July 29, 2026

Award-Winning Cellist Ruslan Biryukov Performs Two Concerts in Julian

Inside Borrego Springs' Award-Winning 806 House

July 8, 2026

The Southern California architect explains how thoughtful design, floor-to-ceiling glass and the surrounding desert shaped one of Borrego Springs' most distinctive homes.

Did You Know? Marlon Brando Filmed a Commercial in Anza-Borrego

By Andrea McKenna • July 1, 2026

A Hollywood fun fact courtesy of longtime Park Ranger Fred Jee.

Julian Performing Arts Announces 2026–2027 Season

By East County Performing Arts • June 30, 2026

East County Performing Arts Association unveils six shows for its fifth season in Julian.

Adventure Filmmaker Jeven Dovey Explores Historic Goat Canyon Trestle

By Explore With Jeven Dovey • June 17, 2026

Exploring Goat Canyon Trestle Before It's Gone Adventure filmmaker Jeven Dovey documents one of Southern California's most remote railroad landmarks

Borrego Springs Music Festival | Free Outdoor Music

April 14, 2026

March 19, 20 & 21

Borrego Springs Film Festival Wraps January 2026

By Jake Hinton • January 21, 2026

The 13th Borrego Springs Film Festival wrapped January 18, 2026, with sold-out screenings, red carpet moments, awards, and strong community turnout. The 13th Annual Borrego Springs Film Festival wrapped up January 18, 2026, closing five days of independent cinema, conversation, and community energy. Events were held throughout Borrego Springs, including free screenings at the Borrego Springs Library and ticketed block screenings and awards ceremonies at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center. Presented by the Borrego Springs Film Institute, the festival continued its traditional, theater-first format that brings people together to watch films in shared spaces and talk about them afterward. Several screening blocks sold out during the week, reflecting strong local interest and visiting attendance. That connection was clear during the live-streamed red carpet. Host Brianna Pinto described one of the festival’s defining qualities by saying, “Filmmakers get to interact directly with the audience,” noting that Borrego Springs draws viewers who truly watch and engage with the films.