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.

This review is for Ladder Canyon & Painted Canyon Trail which was a ~4.4 miles round trip that took…read more~2.5 hours to complete. Ladder Canyon & Painted Canyon Trail was a popular and crowded hike near Mecca, California. Trail was flat and sandy while you're at the bottom of the canyons. Started the loop clockwise; look for the ladder on your left. Requires a little bit of rock scrambling at this part and some ladders to get to the slot canyons. Trail becomes a bit more rocky with a slight incline towards the top of the canyons. Furthermore, there was a rope and ladder near the end of the loop. Overall, this was unique trail with stunning views throughout the hike! Required to drive on a well maintained dirt road for ~4.6 miles. Low clearance cars could make it; go slow and dodge the bigger bumps as you get closer to the parking. No restroom at the trailhead! Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/7HECQHARzvs

I went there on April 6, 2025. There's 7 cars at parking area. I ran into 6 hikers while I was on…read morethe trail. It's quiet and really enjoyed the nature. Gloves and hiking boots are game changers. Last 2 miles are very rocky and sandy, so it's hard to walk. I forgot my sunscreen and sunglasses.

Goat Canyon Trestle is near Jacumba California. It is the world's largest all-wooden train trestle…read more It is probably one of the most adrenaline pumping difficult hikes I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing! IMPORTANT: there are two trails to the trestle. The shorter route, Mortero Palms, is a 6 mile hike that includes strenuous rock climbing, steep descents and route finding. Do not take this shorter route as it brings you to a cliff that requires rope rappelling. The longer route about 16 miles is the easier of the two, with abandoned train cars and tunnels. However it is on private property that is trespassing. In summer temperatures can exceed 100 degrees with little to no shade. I recommend bringing 3-4 gallons of water and electrolyte replacement. You also need to be aware of hidden rattlesnakes in the rocks and brush. It is suggested to have an offline gps for navigation. The shorter route requires a high profile vehicle to the trailhead and the longer route you can pay to park at the nearby nudist camp (no joke lol). The nudists charge a nominal fee to park there. It is important to research this trail and be prepared.

IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED I DO NOT RECOMMEND HIKING THIS 16 MILE TRAIL. Goat Canyon Trestle is very…read moredeep in the Anza Borrego desert and far from any outside help with a strenuous walk (or bike) trail being bordered by either cliffs, cholla cacti, broken wood and caved in tunnels. No shade on top of a possible TRESPASSING FINE either from parking incorrectly or getting caught walking on the rails, I do not recommend it. This is not an easy hike, but oh man it was BEAUTIFUL AND AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE. Mountain bikes can go through fairly quickly, just don't fall off the cliffs (Especially around tunnel 8). Goat Canyon Trestle is the WORLD'S LARGEST wooden trestle (basically a bridge but held up by toothpicks) and its hike in Carrizo Gorge makes it a seldom visited spot. You'll see abandoned train cars, rattlesnake nests, cholla cactus along the way, and it's a wonderful trip for the brave and adventurous. Apart from 2 bypasses, getting to Goat Canyon is pretty flat. Parking is possible before the sign, or you can enter the gated Jacumba nudist colony office for $5 (they open at 9) You'll want the following to travel to Goat Canyon: -3L of water -Alltrails offline map (you can seriously get lost before the first tunnel) -Sunscreen (apart from the tunnels and cars there's literally no shade the whole way) - pliers to remove the cholla cactus sticking in you -Start early in the day and in the spring/fall as temps aren't too bad -Steel balls and no fear of heights -walk 6/8 hours on fairly flat terrain There are some mini trestles along the way that look like the wood is severely decayed. Tunnels 5 and 8 are blocked, so follow the well worn trail with a lot of man made debris. The hikingguy.com dude probably has the best picture step by step on how to navigate the tunnel bypasses. Overall, the payoff is great. It's more of an endurance test with how long the trail runs.

I had a great visit at Sunbeam lake today, Tuesday Jan 13. I took a walk mainly to take some…read morepictures for Tic Tok. I enjoyed a picnic lunch, some bird watching and just being outside.

What a GEM!! Park by the lake with covered playgrounds. Pretty grounds. Large grassy area. Small…read moreand large play set by the lake! Alot of tables.

Great short hike and dog friendly. It is a rocky trail but not hard at all. Once we got to the top…read morethere is another short trail that is pretty flat. We enjoyed this hike with our dogs.

Great little trail to the top of a hill. Maybe a third to half a mile? Something like that. You…read moreneed to park at the bottom of the trail, where there are a few businesses as there is no parking on the road leading up the hill. There's a tiny bit of climbing over rocks in places, but the switchbacks aren't too steep, and there are great views from the top. The trail leads to several other trails, but just as a stand-alone, we really enjoyed it. There's even a bench at the top to sit and relax and take in the views. Didn't see any Bighorn Sheep though!

Ooh there's something for everyone here- a super wide bike trail, mountain bike paths up in the…read morehills, paved areas to explore, and lots of hiking. It's even all-ages and dog-friendly. I actually started at the Cove trail around the way from here, but it was much too crowded. This one was an unexpected find while driving and quite empty. There's several access points all along Avenida Motezuma, and parking in the neighborhood is plentiful. If you want to hit the beaten path, someone made stairs on both sides of the creek so you don't have to climb the steep gradient. Overall, a very beautiful area. I look forward to returning. Pros: - super clean - wide paths - dog-friendly (even a doodie bag station and pet-friendly water fountain) - all levels of expertise - lots of parking Cons: - didn't see restrooms

So an avid hiker and have been on this trail about 10 times over the years. Went today at 3 pm and…read morewent up and back in 5 hours. Drank my whole two liters. It was hard because there are a lot more loose rocks and the trail isn't maintained like it was in the past. There are a couple switchbacks where if you slip on the loose gravel you only have about 3 feet and then it's 300 feet to your death. Last 2 miles very steep. Good views just before the dead end at the Palm grove. Just be careful. May 16 2024 and it was 99 when I started.

Agua Caliente Campground offers a relaxing oasis in the desert for day trips or overnight camping…read more Campers can choose from tent sites, various RV hookups, or small cabins depending on their setup. There are three mineral pools: two outdoor pools (including one kid-sized) and an indoor heated pool. There's also a shared locker room for men and women with individual changing rooms, restrooms, and showers for guests. Larger restroom facilities are available on site, along with horseshoe pits, shuffleboard, and a playground (which was under construction when we visited). There's little to no cell service in the area, but some Wi-Fi is available near the pool. When you arrive, you'll stop at the ranger station near the entrance to pay the day-use or camping fee and receive your pass. The posted signage clearly lists the different rates for using the grounds. Overall a nice, simple getaway if you're looking to soak in the mineral pools and enjoy some quiet desert scenery.

Love coming here every year! Group camp is awesome, private…read moregazebo with electric plugs. Walking distance to clean restrooms. Cabin was clean, two queen size bed frames, bathroom and sink, table with 4 wobbly chairs, AC/heat was a perk! Bench on the deck and space for a fire pit. Usually require reservations a year in advance.

This picnic area is situated off the Sunrise Highway in Mount Laguna. It's also a nice place to…read morepark if you want to hike part of the Pacific Crest Trail. An Adventure Pass is required to park here, and you'll have buy a day pass or an annual pass at a store that sells them. They might sell them in the Pine Valley shopping center a few miles south or at any major outdoors shop. The parking area has many spaces and several picnic tables scattered around the area. There is also a small trail here too and of course the Pacific Crest Trail. There is a bathroom here. Best time to explore this area is fall with all of the golden leaves from all of the Oak trees. Trails - Read my review of the Monument Peak trail. A must hike if stopping in this area. https://www.yelp.com/biz/monument-peak-hike-mount-laguna Tip - If you don't have a pass you can park at the viewpoint lot ( next road north of the picnic site) and up the road.

Overall, our stay was disappointing, and we ended up leaving after the first night. It was…read moreextremely hot, but more importantly, it just wasn't the peaceful camping experience we were looking for. There were fire ants everywhere, and I wish I were exaggerating when I say that cockroaches were literally crawling on both of us during the night. The campground was also very noisy, with loud music until around 10 p.m. and people driving by our tent talking loudly in the middle of the night, making it difficult to sleep. It also felt more like a full-time RV park than a campground, so it lacked the atmosphere we were hoping for. The only real positives were the clean bathrooms and the grassy area for dogs. There is a pool and jacuzzi, but neither was anything special. The pickleball courts are rundown but still usable. Unfortunately, the noise, insects, heat, and overall atmosphere outweighed the positives, and we wouldn't stay here again.

Resort is a bit of a stretch of the imagination to describe De Anza Springs Resort. To me, it's…read moremore of a glorified camp ground. Be prepared to go about a mile on an extremely dusty, bumpy road once you get off the I-8 offramp. So don't wash your car before this trip. Many different ways of staying. I chose a room that was part of a small 6 room motel section, two of the rooms are wheel chair accessible with a ramp & wheel chair friendly shower. The narrow room was clean. Bed comfortable enough. Heater worked well when outdoor night temperatures went down to the upper 30°F's in late November. Price at about $160 per night was expensive considering it is basic accommodation in the middle of nowhere which was fine with me since I value quiet & silence. Close to Jacumba Hot Springs Resort which is rather classy and was my original goal since Jacumba Restaurant Caravan Lounge, where I was dining, was hosting a pop up dinner by noted Chef Brian Redzikowski. After dinner, I got to soak my feet in the heated, curative sulfur spring pool. Unfortunately, the rather large pool at De Anza Springs does not have those healthful sulfur waters. When I called by phone to make a reservation, Patty was very informative telling me: "There is no internet nor phone access at the locked entry gate to the property. So I should receive the new entry code about a day before the reservation date. If not, be sure to contact the main office which closes at 5pm." I assume that if you anticipate getting there after 5pm, it would be recommended to call the office before the 5pm closure to make arrangements for late arrival. De Anza is good for what it is. Basic accommodations that are adequate. Btw, great star gazing for those astronomically inclined. 3 stars

If you've driven Interstate 10 between Desert Center and Blythe, California, you've probably seen…read morethe Corn Springs exit. You may have then asked why? There's no gas station, no houses, no ghost town, no structures of any kind -- nothing. If you have time for a little adventure before you head to wherever it is that you brought you to Interstate 10 in the first place, then stop on the south side of the Corn Springs exit and take the Corn Springs dirt road for eight miles into the mountain valley. (Any car can handle it.) There, you'll find a thirsting remnant of a once vibrant oasis that was home to the Cahuilla people. In short order, you can check out the petroglyphs and the cluster of palm trees that have seen better days. Most of the petroglyphs here are abstract, but if you look carefully you might see some primitive hunter-and-bighorn sheep images, too. Layered over and near some of these images are unfortunate instances of more modern day graffiti. There are no brochures or park rangers here; just a few plaques and numbered poles that don't provide enough clues to put the pieces together. If you have time to spend the night, a Spring evening here is beautiful as the sun sets. It's very peaceful, too, unless some redneck is shooting up a metal sign or beer cans or liquor bottles. Waking up the next morning to the calls of many different birds is refreshing. A short hike in the vicinity of the palm trees and petroglyphs reveals occasional bursts of colorful flowers. July, when the temperature easily reaches 108 degrees and touching the rocks will burn your skin off, is not the best time to see Corn Springs. The heat blazes, there's no water, little shade, and even the large campground is empty. Your vehicle will melt into the ground. If one of the Border Patrol/military aircraft that routinely flies this area sees you, it may circle above you for a while until it realizes you're just a dumb gringo. (Yeah, that was me.) Corn Springs frustrates my curiosity because the area has a haunting residue that suggests so much more went on here than the few details left can now tell us. Well, now you know why there is a Corn Springs exit. You have time for this. You really do.

Corn Spring/Springs (it's spelled both way on signs) is an easily accessible BLM campsite whose…read moredominant feature is a stand of palms that have seen better days. Some kind of disease seems to be slowly stripping them of their fronds but the campsite remains a fine place for car and tent camping that puts you within about an hour of the Cottonwood Springs entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. A wide, smooth dirt road takes you to Corn Spring about eight miles into the Chuckwalla Mountains to the west of Interstate 10. There are about 10 individual campsites with fire rings and pole-mounted charcoal grills. Some sites have nice metal canopies over a concrete picnic bench; you definitely want that while desert camping. There are two septic tank bathrooms that are absolutely five-star facilities in the world of BLM camping. They're clean, well-maintained and odorless. Someone is obviously taking good care of these babies. The other notable feature of Corn Spring is, of course, the petroglyphs that can be seen among the rocks lining either side of the dirt road as you approach the campsite. They're most easily seen on the western side. Apparently there are better petroglyphs among the rocks to the east if you do a little boulder scrambling, but we didn't try. They're interesting, not too spectacular and are unfortunately mixed in with latter-day petroglyphs along the line of "Mike" and "George R 43." No one has yet tried to bomb them with spray paint. There are no interpretive signs so you'll have to do your own research. Maybe their origin is unknown. This is the first desert campsite I've used where I have actually come upon bighorn sheep. There were four of them standing on the ridge line along the dirt road on a November afternoon, gazing down upon us like they owned the place. Which they did. It's also the only desert campsite where, at 1 in the morning, I was awakened by the rumble of engines that seemed to surround us like a raiding party. After hearing the collective idle of engines outside our tents for about five minutes, I opened a flap to discover the military had invaded Corn Spring. Or at least a National Guard contingent on night maneuvers. There were about five armored Humvees, each with a large automatic machine gun atop, all accompanied by militarized ATVs. it was cool and a bit scary at the same. Apparently they were taking a potty break, using the aforementioned great bathrooms. We've camped at Mojave National Preserve, Death Valley, Panamint Valley, Rainbow Basin near Barstow, Valley of Fire east of Vegas, Whitney Pockets east of Vegas, Afton Canyon in Mojave and several other places. Corn Spring stacks up well as desert campsite, with ample opportunities for hikes, wildlife viewing and general desert exploration. I highly recommend it if Joshua Tree sites are full or when the weather's cold at the National Park. It's $6 a night per vehicle, payable via envelopes and metal mailbox. There's good-tasting water available via a hand-operated pump. Quite charming. Services are available about 25 miles away at Chiriaco Summit, west on I-10