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

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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

Prep Itinerary Gear Food

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

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

Reserve your campsite

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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