It's definitely a must do hike when you're visiting Anza borrego, Borrego springs or even Julian. I…read morewent here early May so it was extremely hot, even though I reached the trailhead around 9am. The drive to the parking lot was a little weird because after you get off the freeway, there is a dirt road for about 1.5-2 miles on which there were a lot of signs that said "no vehicles allowed" and "foot traffic only" so I wasn't sure if I should be driving. Once k got there, there were other cars parked too so my assumption is that those signs are applicable only during some seasons. The parking lot looks flat but you can see to trail once you start walking towards the canyon. The hike was really nice, it was definitely more of a walk rather than any uphills. It can get pretty hot so starting early in the summer can be advantageous.

We decided to visit the Slot Canyon during our Borrego Spring trip. Although it doesn't compare to…read morethe slot canyon views in Arizona or Utah, it was picturesque. The slots were fairly easy to navigate except for a few areas where you had to climb down or squeeze through narrow openings. You can also take the trail above the canyon which gives you panoramic views of the desert. There are 2 bathrooms but no sinks in the parking lot. Most cars can get to the parking lot but it's quite dusty. Come prepared with some water, snack, sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. It's $10 per day to visit the park. It's an honor system where you fill out the form, drop off the cash in box, and leave the parking pass on your dashboard. The one negative and reason for removing a star is the poor signage on the trail and how to get into the slots. When we went, there were only 2 other families but the signs were not clear which direction to go into the canyon or even back to the parking lot so we ended up taking a much longer and harder route than needed.

Wonderful day of exploring the desert . Some trails were empty others near the visitor center had a…read moreconstant flow of people . we regret missing the early spring flowering but lucky to see some

Yes! This is the second time I have visited the Visitor Center and hiked the Palm Canyon trail from…read morethe parking lot. Didn't see bighorns this time but last April they rams were out showing their prowess while the females and young-in's watched from the surrounding cliffs. Action was around #10 marker. Enjoy!

I went RV Glamping here last month! Great site. Electricity and water hookups. Campsite bathrooms…read morewere clean too! I saw there were showers, but I didn't use them. Our campsite was a nice layout, we had our picnic table right near where the RV got parked. I saw some had the table more off to the side in some bushes. Multiple hiking trails started at different points around the campsite. Stars were gorgeous at night!!

If you enjoy dark sky or full moon, Anza- Borrego Desert State Park is the place to go!…read moreLast June, we ventured to Borrego Palm Canyon Campground for camping, expecting a dark sky and starry night but instead encountered a full moon that turned the desert into a magical scene. The moonlight created an almost mystical atmosphere, making the desert feel like another planet. We set up our tent beside a stone ramada with a table and fireplace. The cleanest toilet we've ever seen was just steps away, which was a luxurious touch. Since it wasn't peak season, typically from March to April when wildflowers are in bloom and again from autumn onward, the park was quieter. We checked in with the DIY machine at the entrance of the campground, and friendly ranchers were around to offer help if needed. One rancher suggested that if we wanted to hike, we should start early and finish by 8:30am before the temperatures began to rise. ( Just a tip: download a campsite map beforehand because there's no internet service in the park) The desert, lit up by the moon, looked like something from another world. Rugged rock formations and the wide open space felt never ending, and with the moonlight highlighting the cool details of the landscape. The desert was so quiet and empty, It felt like the world had melted away, leaving just us and the serene, mystical surroundings.. Next morning, the heat cut our hike short with our cat, and it was a bit of an ordeal. Cats can be more sensitive to the heat, and she had a breathing issue and gasping for air right after we started hiking. We had to quickly rushed back to the car to help her cool down. So just be aware if you plan to bring your pets along. Despite this, that night remained a magical mix of peace and wonder, a cherished experience that I'll never forget.

We had a lovely hike here! We were able to take our dog. He is a smaller old dog so had to go slow…read moreat times and there are narrow areas, depending on your dog's ability of course. There wasnt any water but it was still lovely. I recommend taking a gallon of water per person even if it is not hot. There is not a lot of shade. Parking was easy for us. Oh cant forget... there is a gravel road you have to drive on for quite some time! Be sure to take the best car you can if you have the option 4x4 or SUV vs tiny 2 door

Great hike, didn't disappoint! A little challenging but worth it. Would be great to do when it gets…read morewarmer to enjoy the water!

We tackled Volcan Mountain Trail with an eight-year-old, so we didn't make it the full way but it…read morewas such a nice experience. We also brought along our dog as it is a dog friendly trail as long as your dog is on a leash. The trail starts out pretty steep, but it's well-marked with clear paths throughout. One thing I really loved was all the signage explaining local plant life and animal tracks so it made the hike feel educational and engaging. My kiddo was really into looking at the different animal paw prints. This trail is great for hiking enthusiasts and beginners alike but just know your limits and pace yourself if you're newer to hiking. I would definitely say if it's sunny to make sure you bring plenty of water with you, but there are a lot of shady spots on this trail so that is a nice change from the hikes that are closer to coastal San Diego.

It's a good hike to pair with a trip to Julian. My husband and I picked up sandwiches in town for a…read morepicnic on the trail. Parked next to the road and knew we were in the right place because of all the other cars. We made our hike a loop as we went up the mountain, taking the 5 Oaks Trail, and then came down using the Vulcan Mountain preserve trail. The 5 Oaks Trail has more of a view. There are a few seats to stop, sit (catch your breath) and enjoy the view. Sadly, we haven't had rain so it wasn't as green as I'm sure it would be on a normal January. Nevertheless, a great hike to work off all the apple pie you eat in Julian.

I wish that I could tell you how Alcoholic pass got it's name. I visited Alcoholic pass with my…read morebrother and sister in law who own a home in Borrego Springs and in town the legend is that this hiking trail was named after alcoholics would climb over the mountain to purchase booze on the other side. And that was what I believed until I read an article published by the Anza Borrego natural history museum. The cryptic article entitled "A Better Name for Alcoholic Pass" states that the switchbacks on the pass create a winding trail that resembles a drunk walking "which is one reason given for the name". What confuses me with that article is that they do not mention any other reasons for the name. I can put one and one together so I assume that the mention of agave plants growing on the trail is reason number two because it vaguely associates the pass with tequila. So I can only speculate as to where that name really came from, and that makes it more fun. If you do decide to take a hike on Alcoholic Pass, I recommend a gigantic bottle of water, some snacks, and a cooler full of beer waiting in the car for after the hike, not before or during. Even in December it is mighty warm out there.

When you continue down the road after it ends and turn to dirt, you go down maybe a mile and…read morethere's an obvious place to park your car on the right hand side. When you get out of the car you head up the trail which is to your right. Supposedly the trail was so named because back in the day "cowboys" and traders would come through the pass to the town to wet their willy. Anyhow, it's a nice hike up, it's hot but nice. (maybe about a mile n' a half?) When you reach the top you get a very nice view of the valley and can sea the salt collections of where the lake used to be. You can continue on or turn around. When you look in the opposite direction of the sun you can see trails that riddle the mountain. It's an awesome place to go boulder scrambling and you don't really need to stick to the path. BUT BEWARE though fuzzy bear cactus' have branches that break off and burry themselves in sand. Found that one out the hard way! Haha, had to use my camera to peel the arm out of my shoe, a good inch of needle got into my foot. Not so cool. My hunny decided to kick it away and got it stuck to him to. So use your brain people!!!

Oh man Font's Point really awed me with an amazing landscape. I liked this place so much I came…read morehere two days in a row during my stay in Borrego Springs/Anza Borrego. Very picturesque views of the badlands, something I had not seen up close like this. It does require a short drive in sand that should be done with a car with some clearance. A fun adventure for sure!

**GPS coordinates to access the road to Font's Point shared in the Quick Tips.**…read more While visiting California's Anza Borrego State Park, the trek out to Font's Point is a must. However, one caveat is YOU MUST HAVE A 4WD VEHICLE! Don't risk it otherwise. Wayyyy too many people get stuck on the way in or out. Although it's only a mile each way, the road is extremely rough and unkept. Imagine driving on a sand dune.. that's what it's like. Sunrise and sunset here is the ideal time--though driving to/from the viewpoint in the dark may be tricky. Some folks decide to hike in and out but if you do so bring plenty of water. There is no shade whatsoever so doing it in the summer or during the year midday is not recommended. Do know that your feet sink as you walk in the sand so it's not easy feat for 2 miles round trip. With all this said, once you arrive at the viewpoint above the Borrego Badlands, the views are truly stunning. You can see the "mirage-like" Salton Sea and Mexican border in the distance. All of the fissures and change colors on the hills are astounding. Be sure to get a picture of yourself high up on the ridge to be able to capture the scale.

One of my favorite hikes in San Diego county- this one has it all!!! Perfect length, challenging…read morebut not TOO hard and the scenery OMG. I've included photos in my review from several trips to Eagle Rock over the years. You start out in a lovely shaded area by a stream, most of the incline is through a chaparral forest with manzanitas and blooming cactus, the last bit is a rolling prairie. The pinnacle of the hike is a huge rock formation that looks exactly like an eagle. I try to do this hike every year in the spring. Tons of flowers and gorgeous rolling grassy hills. This year we had a freakishly hot March and everything bloomed early and then got fried. It was still gorgeous though! We started early when it was still chilly and finished as the heat of the day was coming on. Be sure you keep an eye on the weather. It can get dangerously hot. I recommend a ton of water, hats and sunscreen. On the way home be sure to stop for Julian Pie in San Ysabel!

Did a little hike since my knee replacement surgery (3 months & counting), what an amazing trail,…read moreespecially since it's part of the Pacific Crest hiking trail, traveled by hikers from allover. I didn't get far enough to see the sculptured eagle rock, but will get there soon and post pictures soon! A gem in the back country of San Diego.

My review is solely based on my hiking experience and not for the campground or other things here…read more I came here to summit Hot Springs Mountain as it's part of the San Diego Six Pack of Peaks challenge. Apparently it's the highest peak in San Diego as well. A fee of $10 is required. The trailhead is easy to find, just a little ways down after you pass the gate where the police vehicles are. The road is unpaved but is in fairly good condition, with no ruts or anything. Once you get to the restrooms the trailhead parking is to the left of it. There aren't really designated spots, you just need to park off of the road. The first 2 or so miles are in direct sunlight, and this is also where most of the elevation gain is. Once you get closer to the halfway point (around 2.4 miles) it's smooth sailing from there with just rolling hills and plateaus. You know you're almost there once you see the old lookout tower and reach the sign that points to the summit. Continue on this smaller trail and you'll reach the ladder and ropes to the summit. The summit can only fit a few people safely. I'm terrified of heights and sketchy things but still managed to do it. There are lots of bugs flying around on this trail. Other than that the trail is mainly a wide, well-maintained fire road. There's some forested areas you'll walk through, but nothing special. Good hike to get some elevation gain (2,200'+)! In total it took me 2 hours and 49 minutes (hiked up, ran down).

You need to pay $10 for parking, either online or at the booth. The attendant on 2/4/24 was very…read morefriendly and informative regarding the hike conditions. The hike itself it roughly 10 miles round trip. Once you are past the first 2 miles, steady up, you will enjoy views in all directions and a beautiful walk through a forest. Snow was about 1-3 inches and melting fast. Trail is in a great condition, well marked. The fire tower is one of the oldest one, needs work so think twice before climbing it. The peak is a huge boulder to the right after following narrow paths for few hundred feet. If you feel adventurous you can climb the ladder to the top. From there you will have a nice view of the tower and neighboring peaks. Took me about 4 hours to complete.

During the spring of 2019 I had the opportunity to hike this trail in the Anzo Borrega desert with…read morea good friend. If you are from out west, you will recall this was a phenomenal year of the super bloom and the desert was not left out. It was an absolutely stunning spring season filled with wildflowers. It is an easy 2.9 mile hike and relatively flat. Elevation gain was approximately 600 feet. The trail leads to the third largest palm oasis in California. The palms are tucked away in a water filled oasis. We enjoyed an awesome hike filled with gorgeous wildflowers and water. I could not believe how beautiful this desert was. We did have to park at the Visitors Center and walk an additional 1.25 miles to access the trailhead as the parking lot was already full. We did not have any issues with losing the trail as others have noted. Funny, there is an outdoor toilet for you to use, no door and no roof. I doubt many people use it but I guess if you really had to go you would. Ha! Ha! Be advised no dogs allowed on the trail and remember to Leave No Trace.

This is really a very easy hike. The hardest part is there are only a few spots to stop and get…read moresome shade. The whole hike is in the sun and it gets very hot. People were sitting in the water at the end to cool off so maybe bring a suit. The parking lot was full so I had to park at the visitors center and walk around 1.25 miles to the trail. That walk is very easy and flat