Best place for desert wildflower viewing, sculptures, and even a slot canyon, has got to be Anza Borrego State Park.
Our first year visiting here we got lucky and it just happened to be a super bloom year at Anza Borrego. Super blooms are when lots of rain falls in the autumn so the desert goes crazy with wildflowers mid to late winter. Not going to lie, it was so beautiful! whole stretches of desert floor covered in bright yellows, purples, reds and white. This doesn't happen every year since it is dependent on autumn rain but you can call Wildflower Hotline at (760) 767-4684 to find out if there is a bloom this year ( call early to mid winter or check their website)
Even if its not a super bloom year Anza Borrego is still a lot of fun. My family and I love exploring slot canyons, and The Slot in Anza Borrego is a destination we can't help but explore on every visit.
For desert plant lovers there is a hiking trail called the Cactus Loop that is full of desert plants, so even if its not a super bloom year you can still hike this trail and see beauty in the desert.
No trip to Anza Borrego is complete with out taking a driving tour to all the desert sculptures and taking in the view of the desert sunset.
Anza Borrego
A bit about Anza Borrego
The word Anza in Anza Borrego came from the Spanish explorer Juan Bautisa de Anza, who explored the area in 1774. The Spanish word borrego means lamb, but it is also used to describe the desert bighorn sheep that can be found in this area.
For about 6,000 years, the Cahuilla, Cupeno, and Kumeyaay Native American lived in Anza Borrego. Very little is known about them, but archeologists have discovered that they did not use pottery or bows and arrows. Instead they used underground, rock-lined storage cysts to store food and they hunted with spears. These early people were also Nomadic and followed the food availability brought on by the seasons. Many archeological sites with pictographs (rock paintings), petroglyphs (rock etchings), and mortars (grinding stones) have been found throughout Anza Borrego. These sites are protected, and their locations are not shared with the public as a measure to preserve them.
Anza Borrego is located near the town of Borrego Springs. There are many fun recreational opportunities in this area, such as hiking, slot canyon exploration, and four-wheeling, along with the chance to see giant sculptures and desert plants (including spectacular springtime wildflower blooms).
Because Anza Borrego is part of the Colorado Desert, many desert plants can be seen here year round. Near The Slot you can find ten to 15-foot tall ocotillo and fragrant creosote bushes. There is also an inspiring cactus loop trail full of different types of cacti, succulents and other desert plant life. If you go in the spring, you can even see them flowering!
One Day in Anza Borrego
Stop #1 The Slot
Hike The Slot, .8 mile out and back. or 1 mile loop.
Our favorite thing to do in Anza Borrego is hike The Slot. Its a short walk through twisty narrow canyon walls. The walls are a a beige cream color so don't expect lots of color or really fascinating looking features, but there are twists and turns and fun nooks to climb on.
Part of what makes The Slot fun is that it is located below the ground. When you park you will need to descend into the slot, then if you choose to do the full loop versus going out and back through the slot, you will hike above The Slot looking down into it for the hike back.
Stop #2 Cactus Loop Trail
Take a hike down the Anza Borrego Cactus Loop Trail, .75 mile loop. This is the best hike to see desert plants all year long. The best time is in the winter when the desert plants on this trail are in bloom, but regardless on the time of year, be prepared for the desert heat.
The Cactus Trail is located across the street from Tamarisk Grove Campground in Anza Borrego. The trail itself has one short steep section, but to tell you the truth you will still see a lot of desert plants even before you reach the steep section. So walk as far or little as you feel comfortable.
Stop #3 Anza Borrego Sculptures
Drive to see all the sculptures (the Serpent “Dragon” is my favorite). The sculptures in Anza Borrego State Park are located just outside of the town of Borrego Springs. this is just off of the main road leading towards the town. The sculptures are scattered along the road with small side roads and pull offs so you can drive right up to each sculpture. The sculptures in Anza Borrego are taller than an average sized car making them feel larger than life. Some of my other favorites are the scorpion, grasshopper, elephants, and horses. Here's a map of where the statues are.
Stop #4 Wildflower Superbloom
See the Anza Borrego wildflower super bloom. This doesn't happen every year; so make sure to call ahead and visit in mid to late winter. The super blooms when they occur are astounding. Areas of the desert floor become covered in carpets of brightly colored wildflowers. Take a camera and a sketch book to help you remember your experience.
If there is not a super bloom you can still see blooming desert plants along the Cactus Loop Trail in Anza Borrego in mid to late winter.
Stop #5 Fonts Point
Take in the view of Anza Borrego's Fonts Point. If your not in a hurry to get back to your campsite before night fall, Fonts Point is an incredible place to take in the sunset. Best times to go are are sunrise and sunset. (not during the peak daytime desert heat hours, no shade)
The drive to Fonts point is on a Sandy 4 mile road, so 4x4 wheel drive and high clearance is strongly recommended. Getting stuck in the sand is not fun so consider yourself warned. :)
The view of what is considered California's Grand Canyon is incredible so enjoy!
Anza Borrego Pro Planning Tips
Season: Mid-Mar. to mid-May is the best time to see wildflowers (check the park website to see if there is a bloom this year)
Difficulty: Easy--longest hike we recommend is about one mile
Time Needed: Day trip
Cost: $10 Visitor Center parking or Free with a CA State Parks Pass.
Go to The Slot, Cactus Loop and any other hikes before you go to the Anza Borrego Visitor Center or to see the sculptures. This will help you to beat the crowds and heat of the day.
The Slot is a loop trail, instead of hiking the full loop, hike The Slot to its end then come back through it again to return to your car. The second part of the loop goes up to the top of The Slot in full sun and is not as fun for kids.
Four-wheel drive and high clearance is needed on dirt roads, especially the road to the oases.
Bring lots of water, food, and snacks; there are not many places to eat in Borrego Springs.
Call the Wildflower Hotline to ask about this year's wildflower updates. (760) 767-4684 It lets you know if there is a bloom and where the bloom is located.
Fill the gas tank before entering the park. Gas prices are higher in Borrego Springs.
Download or print a park map before you go. The Visitor Center is in Borrego Springs in a central location, so you will drive past the many hikes, flowers and sculptures trying to get there.
Dig Deeper with a Learning Adventure
If your planning a trip to Anza Borrego with your kids and want an easy way to learn about why Anza Borrego is so unique then check out The California Adventure Activity Book. This is a great resource for your family. It includes our Top 10 CA Desert destinations (Including Anza Borrego) with activities for each location and fun earth science lessons. It's like your own learning adventure program for each location. Here are some of the things included:
- 10 adventures in the CA Desert
- 10 Earth Science Lessons
- 10 Hands-On Science Activities
- 10 Coloring Pages
- 1 Sticker Map
- Reward Tickets
- 10 Scavenger Hunts
- Journal Pages
More Anza Borrego Favorites, Can you Spot it?
Anza Borrego bonus! If you keep your eyes alert you will see some of the unique and incredible things that make Anza Borrego so incredible.
Barrel Cactus
The barrel cactus has long spines that give it shade and are okay for you to touch. You can make different sounds by flicking the spines with your fingers. When there’s no water, a barrel cactus gets thinner. Then, when it rains, it will soak up water like a sponge and get plump again.
Ocotillo
The ocotillo is one of the tallest desert plants, growing up to 15 feet tall. It has long, shallow roots that spread in all directions. Red flowers grow on its stem tips in the spring. It has hundreds of little leaves that it sheds when there's a drought, then grows back when it rains. Keep a close eye for them as you reach the top of Ladder Canyon.
Creosote Bush
The creosote bush has a waxy coating on its leaves that seals in water. Its bright yellow flowers turn into seed balls that are blown all over the desert. Rub one of its leaves between your fingers. Does it smell like rain to you?
Beavertail Cactus
The beavertail cactus has long, paddle-shaped pads that store water like a sponge. The waxy skin on these pads helps to seal in moisture. Instead of spines, they grow small, barbed bristles that give it shade. In the dry season, the plant will shrivel up, then plump up again when it rains.
Desert Sand Verbania
The desert sand verbania has soft hairs on its leaves and stem that protect it from the sun. Its seeds are spread by the wind and will start to grow after the desert gets a good rain in the late fall. The radiant purple flowers of the desert sand verbania are on full display when it spreads like a carpet across the desert sand.
Anza Borrego is a really fun desert adventure. Families and friends alike will love this beautiful desert State Park. Just be prepared for the desert heat. Yes this is the desert, pack extra water and snacks and know you limits. It's ok to take a break, it is hot! Best time to visit is in the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom, its a great time to see the desert light up in color! I hope you have a great time making new exciting memories.