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.
Download Park Visitor's Guide
Main image credit: Robby McCullough
Each campsite comes with a:
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
The park is named after 18th century Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and borrego, the Spanish word for sheep.
Thousands of years ago, the Cahuilla, Cupeño and Kumeyaay Native American tribes lived in the region
Borrego Springs is a major stopover for Swainson's Hawks migrating from Argentina to their breeding grounds north of the town. Cool, huh?
This was GCI's first rocker and it remains their most popular. It's easy to open and close, and comes with a handle to carry around.
Shared Gear
A dreamy, colorful sweater to sport around camp and on chillier day hikes.
Clothes
Light as a feather and versatile enough to use for running, camping, and other nighttime activities.
Essential Items
Imagine a sleeping pad, bag, and blanket all in one. It takes some getting used to, but people love it.
Essential Items
It's not the lightest cot available, but it's comfortable, easy to set up, and break down.
Essential Items
Sturdy, reliable, well-designed, and more expensive than most camp chairs, but it'll last for awhile.
Shared Gear
They're expensive, but you can lean on these bad boys for river crossings and navigating all kinds of terrain.
Essential Items
This mineral-based sunscreen is good for the envrionment and your skin. It's water resistant too.
Personal Stuff
When a campground is short of sinks, bring your own. Clean your dirty dishes in this expandable bin.
Kitchen
This backpacking stove weighs a couple of ounces and has a built-in igniter. It stands out in windy weather.
Kitchen
Camp underneath the stars and watch glorious sunrises in Joshua Tree National Park, the second largest national park in California.