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Anza-Borrego Camping Guide: Where to Camp in California’s Largest State Park

Anza borrego camping guide featured

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, in the desert east of San Diego, is California’s largest state park, and its camping season runs opposite to most of the country. Summer heat makes it brutal from June to September, but from October through April it is one of the best places in the West to camp.

Here is how camping works at Anza-Borrego, from the developed campgrounds to the park’s primitive camps.

Plan ahead

Quick timing guide: Tamarisk Grove reopened October 1 and stays open through May 31. November to March brings the mildest days, and wildflower bloom in late winter and spring brings the biggest crowds, so book early (California State Parks).

In this guidePalm Canyon Tamarisk Grove Primitive camping Campfires Dogs Trip tips

Campgrounds

Borrego Palm Canyon Campground

Borrego palm canyon wildflowers
Photo: Pacific Southwest Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, public domain (source)

Borrego Palm Canyon, near the visitor center outside Borrego Springs, is the park’s main developed campground, with tent sites, RV sites with full hookups, restrooms and showers. Tent sites are $35 a night and hookup sites $45 (California State Parks). Reservations are made through ReserveCalifornia and are strongly recommended in the cool season, especially on weekends and during wildflower bloom. Check-out is at noon.

The campground is also the trailhead for the 3-mile round-trip Borrego Palm Canyon Trail to a native fan palm oasis.

Closure

Heads-up: The first palm grove in Borrego Palm Canyon is closed because of fire damage, and the trail now ends at a viewpoint overlooking the grove (California State Parks).

Campgrounds

Tamarisk Grove Campground

Tamarisk Grove, at the junction of Highways 78 and S3, is smaller and more central. It is open from October 1 to May 31 and closed June 1 to September 30. Tent sites are $35 a night, there are no hookups, and RVs are limited to 21 feet (California State Parks). Book it through ReserveCalifornia as well.

Free camping

Primitive camping

Anza borrego carrizo badlands overlook camp
Photo: Alan Schmierer, public domain (CC0) (source)
Anza borrego primitive camping rules

Illustration: Camper News Now

Anza-Borrego is known for allowing more open camping than most state parks, but the rules are stricter than many visitors assume. A park order limits primitive camping to designated primitive camps, including Arroyo Salado, Blair Valley, Culp Valley, Fish Creek, Mountain Palm Springs, Sheep Canyon, Yaqui Pass and Yaqui Well. These sites are free and first-come, first-served, with few or no facilities.

  • Primitive camping is not allowed near the Borrego Palm Canyon developed area or anywhere posted “No Camping.”
  • Camp at least 100 feet from any water source.
  • Pack out all your trash. There is no garbage collection in the backcountry.
  • The same people, vehicles and equipment can camp in the park for no more than 30 days per calendar year.

New to free camping on public land? Our guide to how dispersed camping works covers the basics.

Rules

Campfires

Anza borrego campfire rules metal container

Illustration: Camper News Now

Ground fires are not allowed. Campfires must be in a camp stove or a metal container with a bottom and sides (California State Parks). Gathering vegetation, dead or alive, is not allowed, so bring your own wood.

Fire

Fire restrictions: During extreme heat or fire danger warnings, open fires, including campfires and barbecues, are banned at Blair Valley and Culp Valley primitive camps. Call 760-767-4037 for current fire restrictions (California State Parks).

Rules

Dogs

Leashed dogs are welcome in the campgrounds, on designated park roads and on the Visitor Center/Campground Trail, but not on other trails, in the backcountry or in the wildflower fields (California State Parks).

Before you go

Before you go: tips for your trip

Desert camping trip checklist

Illustration: Camper News Now

  • Go between November and March for the most comfortable temperatures. Desert nights can drop near freezing in winter, so pack a warm sleeping bag.
  • Carry more water than you think you need, at least a gallon per person per day.
  • Many primitive camps are on dirt roads. Some are fine for a car in dry weather, while others need high clearance or 4WD. Ask at the visitor center.
  • Wildflower bloom, usually late winter into spring, brings the park’s biggest crowds. Book early.

Rules and seasonal dates can change. Confirm current conditions on the park’s official page or call the visitor center at 760-767-4205 before you go.

Heading out for a cold desert night? Our winter camping gear guide covers sleeping warm.

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