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.

Desert Usa⁩ • July 27, 2026

The Mystery of Pegleg Smith’s Lost Gold – Truth, Legend, and Clues

www.youtube.com/@Desertusa

The Mystery of Pegleg Smith's Lost Gold Still Captivates Desert Explorers

For more than 150 years, the legend of Pegleg Smith's Lost Gold has drawn treasure hunters, historians, and adventurers to the Colorado Desert and Anza-Borrego in search of mysterious black gold nuggets said to have been discovered by mountain man Thomas "Pegleg" Smith.

In a new video, DesertUSA explores the enduring mystery, separating historical fact from desert folklore while examining the clues that have fueled generations of searches. The video looks at who Pegleg Smith was, where the legendary mine may have been located, why it was supposedly lost, and whether modern technology could finally solve one of the American West's greatest treasure mysteries.

Whether you're fascinated by Borrego's colorful history or simply enjoy a good desert mystery, it's a fascinating look at one of the region's most enduring legends.

To dive deeper into the history, maps, and legend, read DesertUSA's article:

Pegleg Smith’s Lost Gold: A Desert Legend Reimagined
www.desertusa.com/dusablog/pegleg-smiths-lost-gold-a-desert-legend-reimagined

Learn More About Borrego Springs

A small wooden structure and debris float on calm water under a pale sky.

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Rams Hill Hosts Second Stop of Your Golf Tour (YGT)

By Andrea McKenna • September 9, 2026

Two rounds of the three-part competition are now available to watch, bringing Borrego Springs and Rams Hill to a worldwide YouTube golf audience

Nightfall Star Party Returns to Borrego Springs Nov. 6–7

By Riverside Astronomical Society, Inc. (RAS) • September 9, 2026

The Nightfall Star Party & Imaging Conference returns to Borrego Springs on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 6–7,

Some Like It Hot: DWR Scientists Endure Extreme Heat

By Department of Water Resources • September 8, 2026

Specially-trained California Department of Water Resources staff members Vanessa Velasco (left) and Nicholas Burgos (right) support California Department of Fish and Wildlife staff member Sharon Keeney to set and collect traps for pupfish during a survey conducted by CDFW at a drain north of the Salton Sea in Riverside County

Before the First Storm: What We're Doing, and What I Need From You

By Supervisor Jim Desmond • September 7, 2026

Supervisor Jim Desmond outlines County preparations and steps residents can take now.

Seven Students, Seven Paths: Rams Hill Invests in the Next Generation

By Rams Hill Communications • September 7, 2026

Seven students. Seven different educational journeys. And one shared opportunity to turn ambition into something meaningful.

The Two Mile Radio Telescope on Clark's Dry Lake | Historic Borrego Sun

By Andrea McKenna • September 6, 2026

A portion of the two-mile antenna array on Clark Dry Lake used to study radio emissions from outer space. Weights kept the long copper wires taut on their frames. Borrego Sun, July 15, 1961.

County Launches Online System for Property Assessment Appeals

By County of San Diego Communications Office • September 6, 2026

By County Communications , County of San Diego Communications Office The County has launched a new online system that lets property owners file property tax assessment appeals quickly and securely. Residents can now submit, review and track their appeals online, anytime, from any device. An assessment appeal allows property owners to request a review of the taxable value assigned to their property by the County Assessor. When Residents Can File an Appeal The regular filing season is from July 2 through Nov. 30. During that period, the Office of the Clerk of the Board accepts Assessment Appeals Applications from property owners. To apply, property owners need: Parcel or tax bill number Property address Their opinion of the property’s market value How Online Filing Helps Residents The new system streamlines the appeals process, reduces delays and offers more convenience than traditional paper applications. With the new system, property owners can: Submit an appeal form any device, including smartphones and tablets. Track their appeal status anytime. Sign up for updates without calling or emailing the office. Keep their information secure through the online portal. This upgrade supports the County’s ongoing effort to modernize public services and make them easier, faster and more accessible for all. A New, Easier-to-Use Website A redesigned Assessment Appeals website has launched alongside the new system. It features: A simple, clean layout Step-by-step instructions to reduce filing errors Tutorial videos and helpful resources for first-time filers A more streamlined filing experience through the new portal What Happens After You File Once your appeal is submitted: The Clerk of the Board reviews the application and contacts the property owner if anything is missing. When the application is complete, it is sent to the Assessor’s Office. An appraiser reviews the case and may request additional information. An independent appeals board hears and decides the case. By law, the board has up to two years from your filing date to issue a decision. Have questions? Contact the Clerk of Board of Supervisors’ office at AssessmentAppeals@sdcounty.ca.gov.