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.

BSPAC • September 19, 2026

Start Your Story | FREE Community Writing Workshop

Turn Your Life Experiences Into a Story Worth Sharing

Hosted by the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center

Presented by: Living Proof Stories

Everyone has a story worth telling, and this fall, the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center (BSPAC) in collaboration with Living Proof Stories is inviting the community to put those stories into words.

On Sunday, November 8, BSPAC will host Start Your Story, a three-hour FREE interactive writing workshop open to novice and experienced writers, The workshop will provide participants with practical guidance to transform personal experiences into engaging stories.

You will leave with the first draft of a story inspired by your own life, dreams, or challenges.

The workshop serves as the first step in a larger storytelling initiative, culminating in a Showcase performance on January 10, Real Stories, Real People.

Event Details

• What: FREE Start Your Story Interactive Writing Workshop

• Date: Sunday, November 8

• Time: 2:00–5:00 p.m.

• Location: Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center (BSPAC)

• Presented by: Living Proof Stories

Living Proof Stories will select 10 stories to showcase from the workshop and open submissions
Showcase participants will receive group, one-on-one writing and performance coaching
Showcase participants will be asked for a $50 donation. Limited Scholarships available.
Submission Deadline: November 22

• RSVP for the FREE workshop at Eventbrite

Learn More at BSPAC.org