CALIFORNIA · PLACES & PERSPECTIVES
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Badlands, palm canyons and a quieter side of San Diego County
Anza-Borrego occupies a large desert landscape around Borrego Springs, east of the coastal mountains. It belongs to the Colorado Desert, part of the wider Sonoran Desert. Come for open landscapes, geology and seasonal wildlife rather than expecting a conventional park with every sight beside one paved road.
Begin in Borrego Springs
Start with the state park visitor center at the western end of Palm Canyon Drive. Its exhibits and staff can help match an outing to your vehicle, available time and current conditions. Borrego Springs provides a useful base, but distances within the park still matter.
Choose one landscape to explore
Borrego Palm Canyon offers a different experience from a badlands viewpoint or a desert drive. A trail shown on a map is not a promise of easy access: unpaved roads may require an appropriate vehicle, and conditions change after rain. Wildflowers depend on rainfall and temperature; a spring visit does not guarantee a bloom.
MAKE IT YOUR JOURNEY
Plan your visit
Plan a separate desert day, preferably in cooler conditions, with water, sun protection and an offline map. Avoid strenuous outings in extreme heat and stay out of washes when flooding threatens. Check the park’s current trail and road notices before setting out; coastal San Diego weather is not a reliable guide to desert conditions.