Official Name:
Park Size:
  • Over 650,000 acres of land
Park Designations:
Park Distinctions:
  • First California State Park to have a Sister Park
  • National Register of Historic Places (5 locations within the park)
  • The only state park in the US with a full time pilot and plane.
  • The only state park in the US with a Paleontology and Archeology volunteer and certification program.
  • More than 4500 cultural sites in the park, with only 20% of the park surveyed.
  • Over 5000 years of inhabitation of the San Diego desert region.
  • The four tribes who inhabited these sites are still in the region today.
  • Some of the rocks found in the park are 470 million years old.

Mission, Vision & Purpose:

Location:

Directions:

  • Many visitors approach from the east or west via Highways S22 and 78. From the coast, these highways descend from the heights of the Peninsular range of mountains with spectacular views of the great bowl of the Colorado Desert. Highway S2 enters the park from the south off of Interstate 8.  Map & Detailed Directions

Park Operating Hours:

  • Dawn to Dusk

Visitor Center Hours & Days:

  • 9:00am to 5:00pm

    • Open Thursday - Monday  October through May
    • Closed Tuesday & Wednesday
    • Open weekends only June through September.

Park Related Organizations:

Features:

Wildlife:
Mammals, Birds & Fish, Reptiles & Amphibians,  Insects & Spiders, Related Information - Richest concentration of lizards and snakes in California. Over 50 different species can be found here.  This is just a sample of the diverse wildlife in this park:
 

Plants / Vegetation:

Click here for detailed plant trail guides in the park.  See also Calflora - information on wild California plants for conservation, education, and appreciation
 
Accessibility:
  • Park Office
  • Visitor Center
Camping:
Anza-Borrego is the only park in the state that allows open camping throughout the 600,00 acre park.
 
Campgrounds:
Trails:

Stargazing:

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is one of the best areas to Stargaze in all of Southern California. Clear skies, low moisture & limited city lights make this an ideal location. The further south you go the more El Centro light pollution you will experience, so try to stay in the mid-park region.  Click here for more information on stargazing in the park.

Exhibits/Programs

Anza Borrego Visitor Center. The Visitor Center is generally accessible and includes automatic doors at the entry. Exhibits are generally accessible. Assistive listening devices are available. Exterior accessible restrooms off the parking area are available. Parking includes four designated accessible spaces with one van accessible. Route of travel from lot to Visitor Center entry is 300 feet, but path is paved and generally accessible.

Additional Resources: