I'm going to drive there after dinner from SD north county... Driving and (not serious) stargazing... will return to home without staying a night.

Is it supposed to be safe in the evening and night time there?

Intro: 4 guys, 2 vehicles (Jeep/Tacoma). Camping one night. Experienced, but first time at Anza Borrego

Agenda:

• Fuel in Ocotillo (~12pm)
• S2 up to Sin Nombre Canyon
• Sin Nombre Canyon to Arroyo Tapiado (Mud Cave Exploration)
• Diablo Drop Off
• Fish Creek Wash to Sandstone Canyon
  • (Setup Camp in Sandstone Canyon or around?)
    • Any recommendations for camping spots welcome. Maybe to shield from wind preferred?
• Head North on Fish Creek to Split Canyon (Rock formations and Anticline)
• Hike to wind caves
• Exit and head home from Fish Creek entrance/Gypsum Mfg. location. (~mid-day)

(We will be packing everything in/out, have a fire pit, etc. We are responsible campers and have read the guidelines on the park. )

Questions:

1. Is this too much/too little? (i.e. Is this is a 3 hour agenda vs 2 full days)

2. Anything that we should see on that path that is not listed, but a suggested destination?

3. I don't expect good cell service, but I heard it was improving. What's it like?

4. I'll likely be using OnX for trail tracking, but do the trails have signs?

Also, any suggestions/advice are welcome!

I know I’m a little late for the blooms and that’s okay, have been itching to hit Anza for years. Coming from north county SD - what’s the best route to take for scenery? I don’t mind skipping past julian- spent plenty of time there. What trails or hikes do you recommend for a first timer? We want to do Cactus Loop Trail as well as planning to go down Old Henderson Road. What else should we add to the list? Any hikes with spectacular birds eye views? All recommendations appreciated!

p.s. we will be (likely) staying at Tamarisk Campground

Hi, planning to do Fonts Point and Slot Canyons in the mornings wondering if it’s possible to drive through from Fonts to Slot with a 4WD?

What is the best place to disperse camp that is sheltered from the wind?

Hi there! My bf and I are planning our first camping trip ever in this beautiful desert this coming weekend (wish me luck lol) so am trying to gather a lot of info beforehand!

Just wondering

1. if it's still first time first serve and FREE on all primitive campgrounds? (I believed I studied on YouTube or online article that sheep canyon need to pay, but that's not our preference anyways)

2. We'll be using 4x4 Jeep Wrangler with extended tent. Since we'll be staying for two nights, we wonder if we can leave the tent at the campground and drive around to attend the activities and different sceneries (so we won't loose the camping spot and no need to re-set up again)? Is it normal/commen/safe to do so there based on your experiences?

Thank you for your time in advance! :)

Hi all, I’m trying to book a site at Borrego Palms and having a nightmare of time, per usual with the reserve CA system.

The reserve CA site kept glitching all afternoon and now it’s less than 24 hrs before their 2 pm check in. There are 5 sites open but when I go to reserve for 4/7 it says earliest arrival date for reserving 4/7 is 4/8 (bc that makes sense…). Called and the most unhelpful person on earth told me they require 24 hrs in advance to reserve and then couldn’t answer a single question after that. Tried calling the campground, visitors center etc and all recordings without an option to reach someone.

Does anyone know, does this mean any open campsites not booked within 24 hrs of check in can only be used if we show up and (hoping they’re still unoccupied) and register at the campground?

Last time we tried to do this at a different CA state campground we ran into problems (despite the campground being empty) so wanted to check if anyone has insight before we head out and try to take our chances tomorrow.

Thanks a bunch if anyone has insight.

Has anyone been to Anza borrego in the last week? It is worth it to go see the wildflowers right now and is there enough of a bloom to see?

Has anyone camped in Coyote Canyon? If so, is a off road vehicle needed? How legit is camping? I am assuming it is more primitive fashion. Fires or no? Any insight would be great! TIA :)

Hi,

I'm taking my girlfriend and her family on an overnight trip to Anza Borrego in Mid-April for her birthday. Looks like we will miss the peak wildflowers but we still want to see what's left. Does anybody have any good campsite recommendations for the State Park that offers good hiking and wildflowers? Driving in from San Diego.

I am looking to camp at Blair Valley Primitive spots tonight. I wanted to ask some of the experience folks out there if it would be too much tent camping in the wind out there. I have been to Palm Canyon on a windy night survived but this weather seems wierd. I do see the camper ground over there is nestled around a mountain but that wind could just blast us. Thanks for any info.

I have a stock Rav4 with AWD and I want to explore some off roading trails in Anza Borrego this weekend. I did Font's point no problem last time I was in the park. I basically want to know what the most fun/interesting off-road trails are that my suv is capable of.

Thanks!

What are some of the good places in Anza Borrego to witness the beautiful supre bloom.

1. Henderson Canyon
2. Little Blair Valley
3. Anything else?

Hello! My husband and I are going camping in May and wanted to see if any of you can tell me what should we expect weather wise. Will it be unbearably hot and miserable? Or would it still be good comfortable weather?? TIA!

Hey all, heading out to Anza Borrego this weekend and was curious if anyone has had luck dispersed camping in Coyote Canyon? I heard the road was pretty washed out. Will be navigating it in my Subaru Outback. Any recommendations for dispersed campgrounds on the north side of the state park that usually have open spots? Thanks in advance.

I was planning on driving out to see the wildflowers this Thursday, but I see the caterpillars emerged in full force over the past few days. Is it too late to see the wildflower bloom?

Hi all, looking to camp in Blair Valley the 26th-28th of April with a few friends. Wondering if this is a good spot proximity wise, if I’m planning to access hikes and trails more in Anza Borrego (Wind caves, Arroyo tapiado, Font’s point, the dome lands) Wanted to be in a more secluded area but not sure if the driving would be too far, thanks!

I had a road trip planned and apparently there's a storm coming around. I'm seeing at least a 40% chance of rain right now.

Should I wait a couple days or assume it's not going to happen?

Hello! I’ve never been to Anza Borrego and was planning out an overnighter trip over there this upcoming weekend. However, there is rain in the forecast. Should I still go or just wait for another time?

Was planning on car camping and doing short hikes. All information is greatly appreciated :)!

Hi all, got an AWD gx470 with normal road tired. Are AT/mud tires necessary for Fish Creek Wash and maybe wind caves?

Beautiful sight with the sweet smell of flowers in the air.

Posting here for awareness for a recent missing person case with possible ties to Anza-Borrego.

From the article: The sheriff said Nenigar called 911 after getting stuck in a ditch the day before she went missing, Feb. 27, but that ditch was nowhere near where her car ended up.

“We do know that there was a 911 call that went to the El Centro, California Highway Patrol Station around that time frame stating that she was in Anza and in route to the Palm Springs area,” said Ponce. She never made it to Palm Springs.

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