Visiting Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in Borrego Springs, California, is an unforgettable experience. With awe-inspiring desert landscapes, stately slot canyons and cactus-covered hills, this stunning area is a must-see destination. You can hike among cacti blooms, enjoy amazing views, make your way through narrow canyons and take an all-wheel drive adventure through this sandy, rocky terrain.
Things to Do in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
If you are wondering what to do in Anza-Borrego, you will find that the area is full of exciting activities for all ages. When you visit this incredible destination, you can:
1. Take in Incredible Views at the Montezuma Valley Road Lookout
The Montezuma Valley Road lookout is a craggy peak with spectacular desert views. Montezuma Valley Road starts in Borrego Springs and winds up to Ranchita, offering plenty of breathtaking scenery along the way. Take a moment to soak in the landscape and snap some photos to share with friends and family back home.
2. Traverse Beautiful Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Hikes
One of the most popular things to do in Anza-Borrego State Park is hiking thanks to its majestic slot canyons and gorgeous desert landscape. Embark on the following hiking excursions to experience the best of Anza-Borrego:
- Cactus Loop nature trail: The Cactus Loop nature trail starts near the park’s Tamarisk Grove entrance. This short path features uneven terrain and a steep incline, but the views are worth the climb. On this trail, you can enjoy various cacti species, beautiful cacti blooms and a rugged, rocky landscape.
- The Slot Canyon: The Slot Canyon trail is a moderately challenging but popular route that starts at the Slot Canyon trail parking lot. This incredible trail features some narrow spaces, steep sections and fun geological twists and turns. It is a great option for adventurous adults and kids, but keep a close eye on children around the steep sections.
- Borrego Canyon Trail: The Borrego Palm Canyon trail features one of the world’s only naturally occurring California palm groves. While a fire burned part of this palm oasis in 2020, ecologists predict the trees will grow back. The palm grove is temporarily closed, but you can still hike to the overlook and watch the post-fire recovery take place.
- ‘Ehmuu-Morteros trail: You can access the ‘Ehmuu-Morteros trail from the Blair Valley dirt road and walk half a mile through a former Kumeyaay Native American village site for a fun educational experience. Small natural exhibits along this path reveal interesting facts about the area’s natural and cultural history.
- Elephant Tree: The Elephant Tree Nature Trail is a 1-mile loop featuring various desert plants and the natural areas that keep them alive. You can access this trail from Split Mountain Road with a four-wheel drive, high-clearance vehicle.
The best time to hike in Anza-Borrego is during fall, winter and spring when temperatures are cooler. You can also hike during summer, but take additional precautions, such as carrying extra water and letting someone know your intended hiking location and return time before you start.
3. Embark on an All-Terrain Adventure
Consider renting an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) if you are looking for an exciting way to explore the desert. Ironwoods Off-Road Rental in Ocotillo Wells offers ATV rentals for unique off-road adventures on various desert terrain. Each ATV can seat up to four people, so you can take your group on an exhilarating ride. Stop at Shell Reef along the way to witness a 4 million-year-old fossil embankment featuring oyster shell fossils.
Another fun stop for your ATV adventure is the Pumpkin Patch. This unique field of pumpkin-sized sandstone boulders is a result of years of surface soil erosion, and it is a one-of-a-kind geological phenomenon.
4. See Fossils up Close at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitors Center
The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitors Center features fascinating exhibits on the desert region’s wildlife, archaeology, paleontology and geology. Visiting this museum is a fantastic opportunity to see fossils from the desert badlands and learn more about how experts found and recovered them. From a giant tortoise to a southern mammoth skull, you and your family can dive into the desert’s natural history.
You can also view movies about the park at the visitor center’s theater. If you have any questions during your visit, you can chat with the center’s knowledgeable volunteers.
Things to Do Near Anza-Borrego State Park
While most of Anza-Borrego’s things to do are inside the park’s borders, fun options also await you outside of the park. You can enjoy the following activities in the Borrego Springs community:
1. Marvel at Incredible Metal Sculptures at Sky Art Desert Sculpture Gardens
Enjoy an outdoor art experience like no other at Sky Art Desert Sculpture Gardens. Borrego Springs is home to spectacular metal sculptures that span over 1,500 acres of desert land, making for unique art viewing and photo opportunities. The Under the Sun Foundation provides driving paths so you can easily reach and view the massive, inspiring statues in the undisturbed landscape.
The Under The Sun Foundation also hosts fun events such as the Candlewood Arts Festival. During the festival, you can peruse art displays by local artists, join painting workshops and view creative performances.
2. Experience Local Art at the Borrego Art Institute
Continue your art exploration at the Borrego Art Institute. This community organization features rotating gallery exhibits, beautiful gardens, a pottery studio and special classes and workshops. Whether you enjoy community art pieces or create your own piece of art, you and your family will surely have a memorable time at the Borrego Art Institute.
Stay at Kampgrounds of America to Explore Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is an unforgettable desert destination. From hiking and ATV adventures to inspiring local art, you can experience all this incredible area has to offer when you stay at KOA. Whether you prefer tent, RV or cabin camping, KOA provides a fun place to play, explore and rest under the stars.
North of Borrego Springs, you can stay at Palm Springs / Joshua Tree KOA Holiday, Banning Stagecoach KOA Journey or Temecula KOA at Vail Lake for a fun vacation. If you would like to stay in Southern California during your trip, you can stay at San Diego Metro KOA Resort or Boulevard / Cleveland National Forest KOA Holiday. Each of these locations is within driving distance of Anza-Borrego, making it easy to plan a day trip during your California vacation.
No matter which KOA location you choose, you can spend your day visiting Anza-Borrego and end your night gathered around a cozy campfire. KOA offers convenient amenities, delicious food options, exciting recreational activities and unique events to make your trip relaxing, fun and memorable. Reserve a stay at KOA to start your desert adventure.
About the Author: Kampgrounds of America
Kampgrounds of America is the largest system of open-to-the-public campgrounds in the world, with over 500 locations across the United States and Canada. Founded in Billings, MT in 1962, KOA’s family of campground brands – KOA Journey, KOA Holiday and KOA Resort – today serve more than a million camping families each year. KOA is dedicated to “connecting people to the outdoors and each other” by providing people with a variety of camping experiences and the information they need to make the most of their camping trip. Read more of their camping and travel resources by visiting KOA.com/blog.
