Anza-Borrego State Park

A cool experience with 6 to 10 mile hikes
Driving to and sleeping at a campground
Places we've visited and fallen in love with

Catching a desert dragon and barren badlands in Anza-Borrego State Park

Catching a desert dragon and barren badlands in Anza-Borrego State Park

Catching a desert dragon and barren badlands in Anza-Borrego State Park

Catching a desert dragon and barren badlands in Anza-Borrego State Park

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Last updated
March 8, 2022

Trip · 3-day car camping trip

For · Friends and first-time campers

Vibe · Chill and easy

Reservations · Yes, reserve a site at Borrego Palm Canyon Campground

Drive · 3 hours from LA

Ideal dates · October to April (January to March for wildflowers)

Pets · Welcome at camp and on roads, but not on trails

Anza-Borrego is the largest state park in California. It's 600,000+ acres whereas Sequoia National Park is 328,000+ acres. With 12 wilderness areas and 110 miles of hiking trails, Anza-Borrego has numerous places to explore. Secondly, the park is an "International Dark Sky Park," which means it's an incredible place to stargaze. Finally, just outside of the park is Galleta Meadows, a private refuge for 130 towering metal structures created by artist Ricardo Breceda. It's on private property, but you can check out these art sculptures anytime, and you should! Anza-Borrego SP and its surrounding area is an experience like no other.

Official Park Website

Download Park Visitor's Guide

Directions to Campground

Main image credit: Robby McCullough

Stuff to know

  • There's a $10 day use fee for each car, but it's included if you reserve a campsite!
  • The first palm grove in Borrego Palm Canyon is closed due to fire damage. Here's a map of where you can access.
  • Desert temps are sizzling in the summer, but during the winter the average high is in the mid-60s and lows can dip into the mid-40s. Pack layers to stay warm and cozy while camping.
  • Rattlesnakes call the desert home. You'll likely avoid them when you're hiking on the trail, but watch your step whenever you go off-trail and stay alert!
Check the weather
Borrego Palm Canyon Campground

Where to camp

Borrego Palm Canyon Campground

Each campsite comes with a:

  • Picnic table
  • Fire ring
  • Space for up to 8 people
  • One car and one trailer (each additional vehicle is $10)

Anza Borrego has four developed campgrounds: Tamarisk Grove, Vern Whitaker Horse Camp, Bow Willow, and Borrego Palm Canyon, along with eight "primitive' campgrounds that don't have running water. Borrego Palm Canyon is the largest campground with 122 reservable sites and a bunch of amenities. You can buy firewood, take hot showers, and sit underneath shade ramadas throughout the campground. It's a perfect spot for first-time campers and families who want to try out desert camping.

Check-in: After 12 PM · Check-out: 12 PM

Quiet hours: 10 PM to 6 AM

Nightly Fee: $25

View Campground Map

Borrego Palm Canyon Campground
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Itinerary

Day 1

Anza Borrego Desert State Park
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Credit: Derek Thomson

Leave LA and swing by Sprouts Farmers Market for groceries

  • Located at 32413 Temecula Parkway, Suite 300, in Temecula
  • Open from 7 AM to 10 PM everyday
  • It's an hour drive away from camp
  • Last Pit Stop: X L Co - 525 Palm Canyon Drive in Borrego Springs
  • Before you reach camp, stop by Montezuma Valley Road Lookout to take in desert vistas.

Check-in and set up camp at Borrego Palm Canyon Campground

  • Buy a bundle (or two) of firewood from the camp host. Always try to buy firewood locally!  
  • Set up your tent and familiarize yourself with the campground

Scramble up to Panorama Overlook to watch the sunset

  • This is a 1.6 mile round trip hike with 641 feet of elevation
  • You can walk to the trailhead from camp. Give yourself at least 45 minutes to scramble up there before sunset, and bring your headlamp! There are loose rocks so watch your step.

Return to camp to cook dinner

Enjoy the campfire, s’mores and stargazing

  • Temperatures can get down to the low-40s in Anza-Borrego State Park pack layers and cozy around the campfire to stay warm.
The park is named after 18th century Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and borrego, the Spanish word for sheep.

Day 2

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Credit: Zach Dowdy

Eat a quick brekkie and drive to Fonts Point Trailhead for a sunrise hike**

  • From camp, it's a 15-minute drive to Fonts Point Trailhead. If you have a 4WD, you'll be able to drive along the dirt trail to reach the viewpoint. If you don't, no worries, make this a morning hike :)
  • It's a 7.9 mile round-trip hike with 547 feet of elevation gain, but the trail is sandy so prepare for a bit of a workout.
  • Reach the trailhead by 4 AM to reach the top by sunrise. You'll be rewarded with truly spectacular views of the Borrego Badlands, a 20 x 15 mile stretch of rocky terrain and sunken mesas caused by erosion.
  • Bring your headlamp, dress warmly and download an offline trail map to stay on track while hiking in the dark. Enjoy the stars!
  • **Another popular time to hike Fonts Point is before sunset. You'll be hiking back in the dark, but if you're not an early bird and you're visiting during the winter season, then sunset works too!

Visit Galleta Meadows on your way back to camp

  • Walk through these giant, Jurrasic art sculptures. Take your best IG photo and tag @underthesunfoundation, the official steward of Galleta Meadows.

Return to camp and have a picnic lunch

  • Nosh on your favorite snacks and chill after today's morning hike.

Chill at camp, or if you're feeling ambitious, drive to The Slot Trailhead

  • It's about a 25-minute drive from camp to The Slot. It's an unmarked trail so use these GPS coordinates 33.18213, -116.21417.
  • This hike is a 2.3 mile loop with 300 feet of elevation gain. It takes you through winding, narrow slot canyons, which if you haven't experienced before is worth checking out!
  • It's a dirt/sand road to the trailhead. It's doable in most AWD cars but drive cautiously and be mindful of the weather

Return to camp for dinner, dessert, and campfire stories

  • Enjoy your last night at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park!
Thousands of years ago, the Cahuilla, Cupeño and Kumeyaay Native American tribes lived in the region

Day 3

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Credit: Patrick Mayor

Cook up brekkie, pack up and check-out by noon

  • Clean up around camp and throw away any random pieces of litter

Head home!

Borrego Springs is a major stopover for Swainson's Hawks migrating from Argentina to their breeding grounds north of the town. Cool, huh?
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Shop curated gear

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Bezzi's Pick
$$$

Xero Shoes Z-Trail EV

You won't be saving money, but you'll save space and weight with these camp sandals.

Bezzi's Pick
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REI Co-op Grand Hut 6 Tent

Sleepover! This is a tent you can stand up in and have plenty of space for air mattresses, doggos, and more.

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Camp Chef Everest 2 Burner Stove

A reliable, popular, and relatively affordable dual-burner camping stove that is fairly heavy, but performs well.

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FreeWheel Black Wheelchair Attachment

It's pricey, but the New York Times' Wirecutter recommended this attachment as a way for wheelchair users to navigate uneven terrain.

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Advantage Wallaby Wheelchair Down Under Catch All Bag

Instead of transporting stuff on your lap, use this storage bag to easily store items underneath your wheelchair.

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Purell Hand Sanitizer with Jelly Wrap Carrier

Never dig around your pack to find some hand sanitizer. Instead, hang this one on the outside of your pack.

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Mountain Laurel Designs Exodus 55L | 3500 CI

If you're an experienced backpacker, this is the lightest full-size, full-featured, frameless pack made.

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Ariceleo LED Battery Operated Fairy Lights

Add a little magic to your experience by hanging these twinkling lights around your tent every night.

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Coleman Camping Chair with Built-in 4 Can Cooler

Sometimes you just want a camp chair that gets the job done. Nothing glamorous or fancy. Well, this is it.

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Zpacks Duplex Tent

The more you backpack the lighter your shelter becomes, and the lighter it is, the more expensive it can be.

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Nemo Fillo Pillow

It's a heavier, bulkier pillow for ultralight backpackers, but you're guaranteed a good night's sleep.

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TETON Sports Polara Sleeping Bag

It's not the fairest of them all, but this affordable sleeping bag delivers on warmth and comfort.

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Meal and snack ideas

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Breakfast

Food For The Sole Blueberry Banana Crunch

Gluten Free • Vegan

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Packit Gourmet Diner Deluxe Eggs with Sausage

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Dessert

Campfire cinnamon roll ups

Vegetarian

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Snack

Brookside Dark Chocolate Covered Blueberries

Vegetarian

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Angie's Boom Chicka Pop

Gluten Free · Vegan

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Santa Cruz Organic Apple Sauce

Gluten Free · Vegan

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Summer rolls with almond butter satay

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Dan dan noodles

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Asian chicken lettuce wraps

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Pho ramen

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Curry ramen

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Peanut butter cheesecake overnight oats

Vegetarian

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