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.

Andrea McKenna • June 4, 2026

The Ram Community Radio Finds a New Home at WhipperSnappers

Borrego Valley Community Radio – The RAM has moved from its previous location at the Community Resource Center and is now broadcasting from a studio inside WhipperSnappers at 794 Circle J Drive in Borrego Springs.

The station, owned by Monica Rue and operated by Mike Rue, continues to serve listeners throughout Borrego Springs and the San Diego County backcountry with a mix of music, community information, local conversations, and volunteer-driven programming.

The move gives The RAM additional space to grow while continuing its mission of providing hyper-local radio "by the community, for the community." Mike Rue recently invited residents from Borrego Springs, Julian, Warner Springs, Santa Ysabel, Descanso, Wynola, Mount Laguna, Pauma Valley, Ocotillo Wells, and surrounding communities to get involved.

One of the station's goals is to encourage more people to spend time behind the microphone. Rue hopes to provide opportunities for others to share their interests, stories, music, and perspectives with listeners across the region.

As The RAM settles into its new location, the station is sharing a short wish list to support its next stage of growth:

A Numark dual CD player so volunteer hosts can bring in and play music from their own CD collections during broadcasts
Donations of records and CDs to help build a shared community music library for future programming
A professional ultra-portable field recorder that can connect to wireless lapel microphones for higher-quality interviews outside the studio
Sponsorships from local businesses, organizations, and individuals, including programming blocks, on-air commercials, and regular acknowledgements during broadcasts
Good-faith supporters willing to invest in the station’s growth and help create more opportunities for local voices to be heard

For Mike Rue, the new studio is about more than equipment or location. It is about creating a place where local voices can be heard and where communities throughout the backcountry can stay connected through music, conversation, and shared experiences.

Listeners can listen online at TheRamRadio.com and hear local music, community conversations, interviews, event announcements, and programming created for the San Diego County backcountry.

------------------------

Multiple Voices Strengthen Borrego Springs

KRAM 90.5 FM is Borrego Springs’ local FM public radio station, founded by Gabriel Wisdom and operated by RAM Media Foundation in association with KPBS Public Media. KRAM brings KPBS and NPR programming to the Borrego Valley. Turn on. Tune in... Located at 730 Christmas Circle .

The RAM is a separate, independent online radio station owned by Monica Rue and operated by Mike Rue. Broadcasting from its new studio inside WhipperSnappers at 794 Circle J Drive , The RAM focuses on local music, volunteer hosts, interviews, community conversations, and backcountry programming.

Learn More About Borrego Springs

Borrego Springs Artist Carol Lindemulder Featured in Changing Terrain Exhibition

By Andrea McKenna • August 25, 2026

Borrego Springs artist featured in regional landscape exhibition.

Under the Borrego Sky: A Local Look at Desert Life

By Andrea McKenna • August 13, 2026

www.youtube.com/@under-the-borrego-sky

County Closes Several Parks as Extreme Heat Grips the Region

By Andrea McKenna • August 3, 2026

Park closures highlight growing heat dangers as Borrego Springs temperatures climb toward 115°F.

Mass surrender of Yorkies and Huskies pushes San Diego Humane Society further past capacity limits

By East County News Service • July 31, 2026

Shelter Near Capacity as San Diego Humane Society Seeks Homes for Hundreds of Animals

In Memory of Kay Levie

By Andrea McKenna • July 30, 2026

Longtime Borrego Springs resident remembered for her photography, artistic leadership, and community service.

Alphonse Burnand: The Vision Behind Borrego Springs

By Andrea McKenna • July 25, 2026

The Man Who Helped Shape Borrego Springs

Ram Media Foundation Founder Gabriel Wisdom to Speak at San Diego Comic-Con

By Andrea McKenna • July 23, 2026

San Diego broadcaster and local Ram Media Foundation founder returns to the convention where his Comic-Con journey began. Gabriel B. Wisdom, founder of Ram Media Foundation and creator of KRAM 90.5 FM Borrego Springs, will speak at San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, July 24. Founded in 1970, San Diego Comic-Con has grown into one of the world’s largest pop culture conventions, drawing more than 130,000 attendees for panels, exhibits and appearances by creators, artists, filmmakers and celebrities from around the globe. Wisdom will join Radio Hall of Fame inductee (Shotgun) Tom Kelly for "A Conversation with San Diego Celebrities Gabriel Wisdom and (Shotgun) Tom Kelly," from noon to 1 p.m. at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. Beginning at KPRI-FM San Diego in the late 1960s, Wisdom went on to work at KGB-FM San Diego and KMET-FM Los Angeles during the formative years of FM rock radio in the 1970s. Today, he leads Ram Media Foundation and, among other roles, serves as a portfolio manager with American Money Management, LLC (AMM),

Anza-Borrego Foundation Trustee Lisa Biasillo Named Marine Science Institute Executive Director

By Marine Science Institute • July 20, 2026

Marine Science Institute has named Lisa Biasillo its new Executive Director, succeeding longtime leader Marilou Seiff.

Free & Fun: Explore Balboa Park's Museums for Free on Tuesdays

By East County News Service • July 18, 2026

East County News Services Looking for an affordable summer outing? San Diego residents can visit select Balboa Park museums free every Tuesday through the park's popular Free Museum Tuesdays program. Each Tuesday features a different participating museum, but on the first Tuesday of every month , residents receive free admission to both the Fleet Science Center and the San Diego Natural History Museum (The Nat) . Visitors simply need to bring a valid photo ID or other proof of San Diego County residency. The recently updated San Diego Natural History Museum offers five floors of exhibits, including displays on Southern California's unique wildlife, fossils and conservation. One featured exhibit showcases artwork created from plastic collected along shorelines, highlighting the impact of marine pollution. Just steps away, the Fleet Science Center has also undergone recent renovations and features hands-on science exhibits, interactive displays and activities designed for visitors of all ages. Parking can also help keep the day budget-friendly. Several free parking lots are available throughout Balboa Park, and the City of San Diego has temporarily paused parking enforcement in many areas through early next year, making it easier for visitors to enjoy the park without added expense. Free Museum Tuesdays rotate participating museums each week, giving residents the opportunity to explore many of Balboa Park's cultural attractions throughout the month. For the current schedule and additional information, visit balboapark.org . ---------- Located about 90 miles southwest of Borrego Springs, Balboa Park makes for an easy day trip, offering San Diego County residents free admission to select museums every Tuesday through the Free Museum Tuesdays program.

< Older Post

Newer Post >