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.

Andrea McKenna • August 31, 2026

Imperial Valley Data Center Proposes Recycled Water Plan for Salton Sea

Proposal claims recycled wastewater could support Salton Sea restoration without using Colorado River water

A proposed data center project in Imperial Valley has generated debate over its potential effects on water resources, energy infrastructure and the environment.

The Imperial Valley Data Center (IVDC) is proposed for a site in Imperial County. Supporters of the project say it would use treated municipal wastewater for cooling operations rather than Colorado River water or groundwater. They also say treated wastewater associated with the project could provide benefits to the Salton Sea.

The proposal comes as the Salton Sea continues to face significant environmental challenges. Declining water inflows have contributed to falling water levels, exposing additional lakebed and raising concerns about dust emissions, air quality, wildlife habitat and public health.

Supporters argue the project could bring economic investment, jobs and infrastructure improvements to the region while utilizing recycled water resources.

Critics and some public officials have raised concerns about the project's overall environmental impacts, energy demands, water sourcing, and the adequacy of environmental review. Questions surrounding water supply agreements, infrastructure requirements and regulatory approvals have been part of ongoing public discussions.

The project has attracted attention from local governments, residents, environmental groups and business organizations throughout Imperial Valley. Supporters and opponents continue to disagree on whether the project's potential benefits outweigh its potential impacts.

For Borrego Springs residents, the discussion is relevant because the long-term health of the Salton Sea affects regional air quality, wildlife habitat and environmental conditions across the desert region.