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 • August 13, 2026

Under the Borrego Sky: A Local Look at Desert Life

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

Did You Know?

Under the Borrego Sky Is a Local Blog About Life in Borrego Springs

Under the Borrego Sky offers a resident’s perspective on everyday desert life, from changing seasons and nature to local landmarks and the quieter rhythms of the community.

Created by Shannon Cheesman, a longtime visitor who eventually made Borrego Springs home, the site offers something different from a traditional visitor guide: a look at Borrego Springs through the eyes of someone who lives here.

It’s a useful resource for visitors, people considering a move, and anyone curious about year-round life in the desert. Explore: UnderTheBorregoSky.com