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.

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

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

Frugal Coyote is giving shoppers a new way to support Borrego Springs with its Nonprofit of the Month program, launching October 3 with OLAX de Borrego and refreshments throughout the day.

The program will spotlight a different local nonprofit each month, connecting shoppers with the organizations helping our community thrive. Each participating nonprofit will receive a portion of the proceeds along with space in the store to share its mission, collect direct donations, and connect with new supporters.

“We want Frugal Coyote to be a place where people discover something wonderful and feel connected to the community,” said Anna Abatzoglou, BVEF Executive Director. “This program gives our local nonprofits a chance to tell their stories and gives shoppers another reason to feel good about stopping in.”

October’s featured partner, OLAX de Borrego, supports culture, education, and community in Borrego Springs. Its theme, “Baila Under the Stars,” brings a celebration of Hispanic heritage to a special rack featuring art, décor, and one-of-a-kind treasures, with proceeds from the collection benefiting OLAX.

“We’re grateful to Frugal Coyote for helping us share OLAX’s creativity and traditions,” said Esmerelda Lopez-Garcia. “Each purchase supports our cultural and educational work, and we look forward to more collaborations that bring Borrego Springs together.”

The celebration begins Saturday, October 3, with all-day refreshments during store hours. Shoppers can explore the OLAX collection throughout October.

Beginning in October, Frugal Coyote will be open Wednesday through Sunday, including both weekend days, and closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Come on by, discover a treasure, and get your shop—and support—on!

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Learn More About Borrego Springs

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