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 • July 29, 2024

Podcast: The Magic of Anza Borrego Desert

Bri Fordem and Anza-Borrego Foundation's Efforts

In this episode of The Finest City, Bri Fordem, Executive Director of the Anza-Borrego Foundation, explores the park’s conservation efforts, ecological significance, and community benefits. Learn about the enchanting wonders of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and discover how you can get involved in ongoing educational, research, and conservation efforts.

Listen Here

Visit theabf.org to follow their blog posts

Timestamps:

[1:53] Bri’s journey to becoming Executive Director of the Anza-Borrego Foundation.

[3:49] The foundation of the Anza-Borrego committee in 1967.

[5:31] Expanding the mission beyond land acquisition to include retail locations and educational programs.

[5:36] The Anza-Borrego Desert's role as a regional asset.

[8:02] The synergy between the park and the town in creating a world-class destination.

[11:08] Types of properties acquired by the foundation.

[12:37] What makes Anza-Borrego magical to Bri.

[15:09] Youth programs at Anza-Borrego State Park.

[18:14] The park as a living laboratory and the research support work being done.

[19:47] The Anza-Borrego In Focus program offering lectures and field tours by local researchers.

[21:29] Advancing landscape-level conservation policies and practices.

[22:42] Creating wildlife corridors with the park.

[23:19] George Marston's role in establishing the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

[25:17] Biggest threats to the Anza-Borrego Desert.

[27:19] Bri’s enthusiasm for new programs to showcase the desert's beauty.

[28:48] How people can get involved, including through shopping!

Memorable Quotes from Bri Fordem:

“For the last 55 years that has been one of our flagship pieces, buying up the land and transferring it to the park.” — Bri [5:06]

“We’re able to live, work, and play in this county — to have the ability to recreate in its wilderness but also find spaces to live comfortably in urban environments.” — Bri [7:33]

“To me, the desert is the ultimate representation of resilience and adaptation.” — Bri [13:02]

“This place has been transformed into an epicenter of regional research. And we play a role in that with the park as the public arm of that work.” — Bri [19:03]

“The staff of the park has been given this incredible resource, and they’re working to ensure that it continues to thrive and be a place of research for everyone.” — Bri [22:19]

“The forefathers of our country had a vision of wild spaces and people and I think that as we continue to develop San Diego, I really want people to understand the foresight and the deep value of what’s been established here and that we value this place.” — Bri [24:50]