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.

Shandel Sutherland • August 5, 2023

Land Repurposing for Sustainable Groundwater Use: Borrego Springs

Protecting California’s Groundwater: The Vital Mission of Borrego Springs Subbasin

Groundwater basins in California, including the Borrego Springs Groundwater Subbasin, are taking steps to achieve sustainable groundwater use. As the sole water source for Borrego Springs and surrounding areas, managing this valuable resource is crucial for the community, citrus farms, and golf courses in the region.

The Land IQ Habitat Restoration Team, in collaboration with the Land Based Science Team, is working with the Borrego Springs Watermaster on a grant-funded project to implement the Borrego Springs Groundwater Management Plan. This plan aims to reduce groundwater pumping by 75% by 2040, ensuring the long-term sustainability of water resources.

Restoring Fallowed Lands

One important aspect of this plan is the Biological Restoration of Fallowed Lands. To meet the sustainability goal, some agricultural land will need to be fallowed. However, this action may have adverse environmental consequences, such as dust emissions, invasive plant species establishment, and landscape degradation.

Mitigating Environmental Impact

Land IQ’s responsibilities include implementing strategies to avoid, reduce, and mitigate the potential adverse effects of fallowing. The focus is on rehabilitating native landscapes through the analysis of existing data and the development of prioritization criteria.

Ongoing Studies

Field studies are already underway to monitor the natural rehabilitation of lands that have been fallowed for various time periods. Additional research includes investigating the effectiveness of treatments like brush piles and mulch strips in providing micro-habitats for plant establishment.

@LandIQ is assisting the Borrego Springs Watermaster with a land repurposing project focusing on the biological restoration of fallowed lands.
Learn more here > https://t.co/YqSM1DvJ9A #landrepurposing #sgma #restoration
— LandIQ (@LandIQ) August 1, 2023

Building a Sustainable Future

By analyzing data, studying natural rehabilitation, and exploring various rehabilitation strategies, the goal is to prioritize land fallowing areas effectively and develop specific plans for land restoration. Ultimately, this project aims to create a sustainable future for Borrego Springs, preserving the region’s water resources and maintaining its unique landscape.

Note: This initiative is part of broader efforts to ensure a sustainable and thriving community. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and engaged in the process to safeguard the future of Borrego Springs.