The largest state park in California, Anza-Borrego comprises a staggering 640,000 acres of land punctuated with hiking trails, canyons, palm groves and viewpoints. Pick up information on trails and road conditions at the visitor center in lonely and wind-buffeted Borrego Springs, the park's commercial hub.
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
The Deserts
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
29.78 MILES
High on Palomar Mountain, at an elevation of 5500ft to avoid light pollution, the Palomar Observatory is simply spectacular – as large as Rome’s Pantheon, with…
0.07 MILES
This nonprofit outfit in a modernist glass-fronted bungalow in central Borrego Springs presents desert-themed paintings, sculpture and crafts created by…
8.27 MILES
East of Borrego Springs, a 4-mile dirt road, sometimes passable without 4WD, diverges south from County Rte S22 out to Fonts Point (1249ft). From up here…
19.55 MILES
This pretty little park in a refreshing valley on the southern edge of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park centers on a replica of a historic Butterfield Stage…
29.52 MILES
To stretch your legs after visiting the ridgetop Palomar Observatory, nearby Palomar Mountain State Park has forested hikes along panoramic-view trails…
17.7 MILES
Pan for gold and be regaled with tales of the hardscrabble life of the town’s early pioneers during an hour-long underground tour through the former Eagle…
5.26 MILES
The pile of rocks is actually a monument to Thomas 'Peg Leg’ Smith – one-legged mountain man, fur trapper, horse thief, con artist and Wild West legend…
15.36 MILES
Back in the day when the Butterfield Overland stage coach had a hard time making it across this pass, passengers had to temporarily get off and walk –…
Nearby The Deserts attractions
0.07 MILES
This nonprofit outfit in a modernist glass-fronted bungalow in central Borrego Springs presents desert-themed paintings, sculpture and crafts created by…
5.26 MILES
The pile of rocks is actually a monument to Thomas 'Peg Leg’ Smith – one-legged mountain man, fur trapper, horse thief, con artist and Wild West legend…
8.27 MILES
East of Borrego Springs, a 4-mile dirt road, sometimes passable without 4WD, diverges south from County Rte S22 out to Fonts Point (1249ft). From up here…
4. Foot & Walker Pass Monument
15.36 MILES
Back in the day when the Butterfield Overland stage coach had a hard time making it across this pass, passengers had to temporarily get off and walk –…
17.7 MILES
Pan for gold and be regaled with tales of the hardscrabble life of the town’s early pioneers during an hour-long underground tour through the former Eagle…
19.55 MILES
This pretty little park in a refreshing valley on the southern edge of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park centers on a replica of a historic Butterfield Stage…
28.93 MILES
En route to the Salton Sea, this certified-organic date garden is handy for picking up gift boxes and yummy date shakes.
8. Palomar Mountain State Park
29.52 MILES
To stretch your legs after visiting the ridgetop Palomar Observatory, nearby Palomar Mountain State Park has forested hikes along panoramic-view trails…