Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Directions: 200 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, 92204. Phone (760) 767-4205. www.anzaborrego.statepark.org One hour’s drive from the Coachella Valley. Take Interstate 10 east to the 86S Expressway and continue south to Salton City. Turn right on S-22 and go 27 miles to Borrego Springs. The Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association’s Borrego Desert Nature Center (760)-767-3098 or www.abdnha.org is located at 652 Palm Canyon Drive just a half block west of the “Christmas Circle,” and the State Park visitor center is located another 2 miles down the road.

About the Site: Established in 1928, and protecting over 600,000 acres of Colorado Desert and adjacent mountain ranges, the State Park is the largest in California. The town of Borrego Springs lies in the center, and is the starting point for most adventures within the Park. Geologic features, fossils, cultural landmarks, hiking trails, wildlife, wildflowers, and clear night skies are just some of the reasons to visit.

Habitats: Lower elevations - classic Colorado Desert: Smoke trees in desert washes, alkaline sinks, paloverde and mesquite trees, palm oases, cacti, ocotillo, badlands and sweeping panoramas. Upper elevations: chaparral, pinyon-juniper and oak woodlands, pine forest. If you are birding you’ll want to visit Borrego Palm Canyon (best place to see bighorn), Tamarisk Grove,Yaqui Well, Sentenac Canyon and birding trail, and Culp Valley. A useful reference is Barbara Massey’s Guide to Birds of the Anza-Borrego Desert.

Birds and Other Wildlife: Signature Species: Gambel’s Quail, California Quail, Swainson’s Hawk, White-winged Dove, Greater Roadrunner, Long-eared Owl, Costa’s Hummingbird, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Verdin, Cactus Wren, Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, LeConte’s Thrasher, Phainopepla, Black-throated Sparrow, Scott’s Oriole, Black-tailed Jackrabbit, Peninsular Bighorn Sheep. Summer: Least Bell’s Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat, Hooded Oriole. Rarities: White-tailed Kite, Harris’s Hawk, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Burrowing Owl, Xantus’ Hummingbird, Vermilion Flycatcher, Gray Vireo, Rufous-backed Robin, Crissal Thrasher, Lucy’s Warbler, Worm-eating Warbler, Lawrence’s Goldfinch, Mountain Lion.

Best Times to Visit: February - April for wildflowers – call the wildflower hotline for up-to-date information at (760) 767-4684. March - May is best for birds. Information on how to volunteer for the Christmas Bird Count or to assist volunteer Swainson’s hawk watchers each spring is available at the visitor center or by checking www.theabf.org

Additional Notes: A day-use fee is required for most activities within the Park, enquire at the visitor center. There are many campgrounds and motels to choose from in the area. Backcountry camping is also available. Dogs on leashes are allowed in the park, but not on the hiking trails or in wilderness areas, due to potential interactions with wildlife.