Top 5 Things To Know Before Visiting Anza Borrego State Park, CA.
- Mary Kate gKing
- May 19
- 3 min read
Top 5 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting Anza Borrego State Park:
Bring Cash. When arriving at our first hike of the trip at The Slot trailhead parking lot, we discovered that there was a fee to park there. Most of the parking lots in the state park have these fees that can only be paid in cash. There were no other options to pay aside from putting your vehicle information and cash in an envelope and placing it in the designated box. W were at least 40 minutes from the nearest ATM, so we decided to do the hike still, and would try to figure out how to make a donation later when we had better service. After our lengthy hike down the slots, through the wash, and the butte loop trails, we arrived at our car to find a nice white ticket. Want to guess what the prices were? It was $10 cash to park at the trail site… the fine was $70. Needless to say, bring cash with you, specifically low bills, and avoid our costly mistake.
The Slot Trail, Anza Borrego State Park Gas Is Limited In The Desert. Depending on what direction you drive from, you’ll have a few options for gas. One of your last opportunities to get gas is in a quaint town called Julian. If passing through Julian, I highly recommend stopping for one of the delicious homemade pies at the Julian Pie Company. In Boreggo Springs, a little closer to the state park, a more expensive gas option is available.
Borreggo Springs The Weather Is Volatile. There is a heat advisory from April through October in Anza Borrego State Park. During this season, they do not recommend hiking between 10am-2pm. We thankfully had great weather in mid-May with the temperatures sitting in the mid-70s, but the weekend before and after was in the 100s. What we were not prepared for was the wind advisory. How bad could a little wind be? Trying to tent camp with wind gusts at 55mph presented its own challenges, but nothing that some car camping couldn’t fix.
Borrego Palm Canyon Campground | Not Pictured: A collapsed tent after falling to 55mph winds. Water & Sunscreen Are The Most Important Packing Items. As discussed, the weather can be very intense and change quickly. Having an adequate amount of water and sun protection is one of the biggest safety concerns in the desert. No matter what time of day or the length of your hike, make sure you are hiking with enough water and keeping your skin protected. This might seem obvious, but there is limited shade available in the desert.
Slot + Wash + Butte Loop (4.6mile moderate)
A variety of wildlife is present. Safety first… be aware that there are rattlesnakes. These venomous snakes are typically found in rocky areas or underbrush. You may also encounter bobcats, big horn sheep, coyotes, jackrabbits, desert tortoise, chuckwallas (lizards), tarantulas, and various types of birds. For the big horn sheep, it is recommended to avoid provoking them by avoiding getting between them and their water supply. If they do approach you, clapping your hands above your head and making a loud noise is the recommended response. For bobcats, the recommendation is to maintain a distance, do not feed, and do not run from them. It is exceptionally cool to witness some of the incredible wildlife that exists in this state park. As always, we want to respect the land we are in.
The biggest takeaway from this article is that you are visiting a desert. There will be limited resources, unpredictable weather, and some less modern payment options.. The desert is so beautiful, and definitely worth a visit. All you need to do is Plan Accordingly.
CLICK HERE TO READ MY TOP 5 HIKES IN ANZA BORREGO BLOG POST
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