Anza-Borrego Desert State Park®

Encompassing more than 600,000 acres, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park® is the largest state park in California, the largest desert state park in the United States, and is a UNESCO conservation designated World Biosphere Reserve.

With over 500 miles of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas (comprising 2/3 of the park) and 110 miles of riding and hiking trails visitors are provided an unparalleled opportunity to experience the wonders of the Colorado Desert. [See South Coyote Canyon Trail] The park name is derived from a combination of the name of Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and the Spanish word "borrego," referring to bighorn sheep. The park features washes, wildflowers, palm groves, cacti and sweeping vistas. Visitors may also have the chance to see roadrunners, golden eagles, kit foxes, mule deer and bighorn sheep as well as desert iguanas, chuckwallas and four species of rattlesnake. Within the park boundaries there is located a unique man-made structure - the world's largest wooden trestle. Also within the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park are Cultural Preserves and Natural Preserves consisting of features unique to this region.

"On August 1, 1974, Secretary of the Interior Rogers C. B. Morton approved Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for inclusion in the National Registry of Natural Landmarks. Sites in the Registry possess exceptional value as illustrations of our nation's natural heritage. Anza-Borrego, the largest Desert State Park in the nation, contains some of the best examples of the desert biotic communities in the Colorado Desert." - from the plaque erected at the Visitor Center.

Location: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park® is located on the eastern side of San Diego County, with portions extending east into Imperial County and north into Riverside County. It is about a two-hour drive from San Diego, Riverside, and Palm Springs.

Many visitors approach from the east or west via Highways S22 and California Scenic Highway 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.

Detailed driving instructions.

Visitation: Averages 600,000 people per year.

Visitor Center: 760-767-4205 | Park Headquarters: 760-767-5311

Seasons, Climate, Recommended Clothing: Seasonal temperatures can be extreme. Layered clothing is always advised. Carry plenty of water in your vehicle and while hiking.

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VISITOR CENTER

The Visitor Center is open:

7 days a week
9:00am to 5:00pm October through May
weekends only June through September.

The Visitor Center is state-of-the-art and uniquely situated under a desert garden at the west end of Palm Canyon Drive in Borrego Springs. From the parking lot take the walkway past the flagpole.

Stop by to pick up information on wildflowers, visit the award wining museum, see a free slide show or video program, or peruse the wide selection of publications on the park's natural and cultural resources at the bookstore.

Visitor Center: 760-767-4205

Desert Garden: A desert garden just outside the Visitor Center building provides a quick look at some of the vegetation in the 600,000 acre park, with the species identified. The garden also includes a pupfish pond.

Borrego Palm Canyon: Borrego Palm Canyon is the most famous and most visited area in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Click here for more details.

Wildflowers: Wildflowers usually begin blooming in January and reach their peak in March. The success of each year's wildflower bloom is dependent on a variety of factors, including rainfall, temperature and winds.

Wildflower Hotline 760-767-4684.

Wi-Fi Service: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park offers AT&T Wi-Fi Service! This service enables park visitors with wireless enabled laptop computers or personal digital assistants (PDAs) to access the Internet. You can access this service if you are within a 150 foot range base of the Ranger's Office. For more information about this service please see January 19, 2005, News Release.

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CAMPING & RESERVATIONS

There are three developed campgrounds in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park®: Borrego Palm Canyon and Tamarisk Grove & Horse Camp (an equestrian camp located at the mouth of Coyote Canyon).

or call 800-444-7275

There is also a small campground at Bow Willow. Ask park staff about the rules for backcountry camping. Click here for more information about our campgrounds.

Use extreme CAUTION

Unless visitors know the park very well, or carry detailed maps, it is wise NOT to venture too far from vehicles or from marked highways or roads. Getting lost is one of the easiest things to do in the desert. It is always wise to ask a ranger or a park volunteer about desert hazards and to make sure someone else knows where you are going.

More on Desert Safety

Coyote Ridge with Toro Peak in the background

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Disclaimer

The information contained herein is provided as a public service of the

Borrego Springs Chamber of Commerce.

Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy. If you discover any information on these pages which you believe to be inaccurate or outdated, please email webmanager@borregospringschamber.com

This information is offered to assist the visitor and in no way is intended to replace the official state park website.

For more details on the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park® please visit the official state website: http://www.parks.ca.gov/default.asp?page_id=638

Ref: http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/departments/espm/env-hist/espm160/assignments/ecology/desert_photos1.htm

http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/blm_special_areas/NLCS.html

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