Anza-Borrego Desert

Visitor Center October through May: open daily 9am-5pm. June through September: open weekends and holidays only. Park Information Anza-Borrego Desert State Park® 200 Palm Canyon Drive Borrego Springs, CA 92004 Park Headquarters (760) 767-5311 Visitor Center (760) 767-4205 World Wide Web www.parks.ca.gov Anza-Borrego Foundation (760) 767-0446 www.theabf.org California State Parks supports equal access Prior to arrival, visitors with disabilities who need assistance should contact: The Visitor Center (760) 767-4205. This publication is available in alternate formats by contacting the Visitor Center, (760) 767-4205. Accessibility information is available in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park online magazine, www.parks.ca.gov. Welcome Welcome to one of the last best places on Earth. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park® encompasses some of the most diverse desert landscape in the world. Covering more than 600,000 acres, Anza-Borrego's™ wonders unfold from the eastern slopes of the Peninsular Ranges in San Diego County to the western edge of Imperial County. From Riverside County in the north, the Park reaches south almost to the Mexican border. Nearly two-thirds of the Park is pristine wilderness, sheltering an astonishing proliferation of plant and animal life, including the endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep. Anza-BorregoTM lies at the crossroads of early Califomia history. Its pathways were shared by explorer Juan Bautista de Anza, the Southern Emigrant Trail, the Butterfield Stage and the Mormon Battalion. Much earlier, ancient artists began to leave thei r enigmatic traces at thousands of sites throughout the Park. These Native Americans hunted and gathered here as long as 5,000 years ago. Earlier still, Anza-Borrego'sTM plains were roamed by herds of mammoths and camels. These huge animals became extinct around 8,000 B.C, leaving behind what maybe the greatest repository of Pliocene/ Pleistocene megafauna in the United States. For some of you, this may be the first visit. Others may have returned manytimes, attracted by the seren­ ity, the sunshine, the sheer wildness. Whether you arrive by serendipity or by plan, whether you expect to stay for an hour or week or lifetime, we are happy to share this enchanted place with you. ANZA·BORRECiO DEtERT STATE PARK® Rules & Regulations Natural I Cultural Features: All features are protected by law. Nothing may be disturbed or removed, including rocks, plant materials, reptiles, Indian artifacts and fossils. Campfires: No ground fires are allowed. All fires MUST be kept in a metal container that completely contains the fire. Ashes and other debris must be taken with you. Gathering firewood is prohibited. Firearms: While in the Park, firearms must be unloaded, inoperative, in a case and kept in your vehicle at all times. Dogs: Dogs must be kept on a six-foot maximum leash under your control at all times. Dogs are allowed on roads and in campgrounds, but not in the Visitor Center, on foot trails or in any natural area. At night, dogs must be kept in a tent or vehicle. Bring pliers for cactus removal, bring plenty of water and be aware that the desert is a dangerous place for pets. Vehicles: All vehicles must be highway legal and must remain on designated roads. Bicycles: Bikes are only allowed on designated roads, foot trails in Hawi-Vallecito, Middle Willows in Coyote Canyon and the All-Access Trail between the Visitor Center and camp­ ground. Drones: The operation of powered unmanned aircraft, includ­ ing drones, is prohibited in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park®. Deser t Safety - Get out Alive! Carry water and drink it! Do not save water for the trip home. Thrn around when your water is half gone. Make sure your vehicle is desert ready. Are you carrying tools, water, etc.? WiU you be comfortable if you have to spend a night or two in your car? Make sure you're ready. Temperatures can reach 125° in summer or drop below freezing in winter. Do you have extra clothes, water, etc. for a night out in the desert? Make a plan. Let friends know where you are going and when you will return. Give them a description of your vehicle and its license plate number. Stay with your car if there is a problem and put the hood up to signal. If you must try to hike out, wait until the cool of evening. Bow Willow­ Mountain Palm Springs Primitive Campgrounds at Bow Willow and Mountain Palm Springs are first-come, first-served. Both have chemical toilets. The trails in this area are casual trails. They are not fully developed nor maintained. Some trails change with rainfall. Hikers should be aware that they are hiking in a mgged area and may want a detailed map and compass. Trails include the half-mile round-trip to Mary's Grove, one-mile round-trip to Pygmy Grove, two-mile round-trip to Southwest Grove and two-mile round-trip to the Palm Bowl. N A 0 0.5 -------=============:::JMiles Blair Valley Area Agreat area for primitive camping, the roads in Blair Valley are usually accessible by two-wheel drive vehicles. There are vault toilets but no water is available. Hiking Trails include the .4-mile round-trip 'Ehmuu-Morteros trail, leading to Indian grinding holes, the two-mile round-trip hike to Ghost Mountain (former home of the Marshal South family) and the two-mile round-trip Pictograph Trail, which can be extended to three miles by hiking to the Smuggler's Canyon overlook. N A 0. ­ 0.CS::::J : l M iles Marshal South Home T amarisk Grove Area Centrallylocated, and open seasonally, Tamarisk Grove Campground offers shade, pay showers and reservable campsites and cabins. Nearby Yaqui Well Campground is a primitive camping area with pit toi­ lets but no water, firerings or tables. Wildlife abounds near this natural spring. Check with ReserveCalifornia™ fo r availability. (800) 444-7275 or www.parks.ca.gov. Trails in this area include the one-mile Cactus Loop, 1.6-mile round-trip Yaqui Well Nature Trail and the one-mile Bill Kenyon Trail. Cactus Loop Q Trail "' Tamarisk ~~ Gtove C ampg ro und • 0 N 0.5 ! 1 ------c:::========~ Miles " Fish Creek Area Wildflowers APrimitive Campground with eight sites fills quickly at Fish Creek. There is no water, but chemical toilets are available. Many visitors come to the desert to experience the ephemeral wild flower bloom. Each year, rain, sun, wind and temperature combine to make nature's displayof spring flowers. Some years, the combination makes for a spectacular show, while other years yield scarcely a blossom. Because it is impossible to predict each year's timing and abundance, we offer the following services: Hiking trails include the one-mile Elephant 1Iees Nature Trail Loop and the two-mile round-trip hike to the Wind Caves. Spectacular geological scenery awaits hikers and 4-wheel drive enthusiasts in the Split Mountain area, driving only on designated roads. Wildflower Hotline (760) 767-4684 or on the web: www.parks.ca.gov Or visit Anza-Borrego Foundation www.theabf.org ~ 3" ::v 0 0 0. Campground N A ---c::::==::::::J 0 0.5 1 Mil es