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 • October 28, 2025

What is Go To Borrego Springs?

Go To Borrego Springs is a community-driven initiative to connect visitors and locals with the unique experiences, events, and resources that make Borrego Springs special.

Why It Exists

Borrego Springs is a hidden gem in the California desert, but many potential visitors don't know about:

Our vibrant arts community
Seasonal events and festivals
Local businesses and restaurants
Natural attractions and dark sky viewing
Community resources and activities

Go To Borrego Springs shares local stories and keeps people updated on what's happening around town. We work with businesses and organizations to help Borrego Springs show up when people search online for desert destinations, even if they've never heard of us. Whether you're a local, a tourist, or someone who just discovered our town, we make it easier to find what you need—and help local businesses get noticed.

Note: This works through keywords—the words and phrases people type into Google. By using the right keywords in our content, we help Borrego Springs appear in more search results.

The Goal

Go to Borrego Springs helps people:

Discover events - Festivals, community gatherings, seasonal activities
Find local businesses - Restaurants, shops, services, accommodations
Plan visits - Seasonal attractions, weather considerations, what to do
Connect with community - Resources, volunteer opportunities, local culture
Support local economy - Direct traffic to small businesses and artists

The Impact: October 2025

4,900+ visits
7,400+ page views
Top traffic from Southern California, but reaching nationwide (Nebraska, Washington, Wisconsin, Florida New York)

Need more eyes on your business, event, or organization? Reach out to learn how Go To Borrego Springs can help get your information in front of more people.

Learn More About Borrego Springs

Pegleg Pointers: A 1998 Look at the Pegleg Smith Liars Contest | Historic Borrego Sun

By Phil Brigandi • September 13, 2026

This column first ran ahead of the 50th annual Pegleg Smith Liars Contest in April 1998. Phil Brigandi, a longtime desert historian and four-time contest winner, died in 2019.

Borrego Springs and the Famous San Diego Chicken!

By Gabriel Wisdom, Ram Media Foundation • September 12, 2026

Borrego’s Bill Lawrence joined a sold-out San Diego History Center event celebrating Ted Giannoulas, The Famous San Diego Chicken, and the mascot’s remarkable 50-year legacy.

Christian Center to Host Harvest Festival Oct. 31

By Andrea McKenna • September 12, 2026

Family event will feature games, a puppet show, hayride, food, go-kart races and an evening Youth Zone The Christian Center will host its annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 4 to 6 p.m., offering an afternoon of family-friendly activities for children and families in Borrego Springs. The festival will feature Bible-based games, a Gospel Castle, puppet show, hayride and go-kart races, along with free candy. Food and drinks will also be available for purchase, including hot dogs, chili dogs, nachos, Gatorade, soda and water. After the main festival activities conclude, the Christian Center’s Youth Zone will remain open from 6 to 8 p.m. for students in grades 6 through 12, with additional activities including go-kart races. The Christian Center is located at 675 Weather Vane Drive, Borrego Springs. For additional information, call 760-767-7447. Event Details: Saturday, Oct. 31, 4–6 p.m.; Youth Zone for grades 6–12 from 6–8 p.m.; Christian Center, 675 Weather Vane Drive, Borrego Springs. >> LEARN MORE