Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is located in the Sonoran Desert of Southern California and is the largest state park in California. The park covers over 600,000 acres and is known for its stunning desert landscapes, unique geology, and rich cultural history. Wildflowers are currently blooming in the park, including the stunning desert lily!
The park is named after Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza and borrego, the Spanish word for bighorn sheep, which are native to the area. The park is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including cacti, wildflowers, and various species of birds and reptiles.
The park’s geology is also of interest, with formations such as mud caves, canyons, and badlands offering a glimpse into the region’s geological history. The park is also home to several designated wilderness areas, offering opportunities for backpacking and hiking.
In addition to its natural beauty, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park also holds cultural significance. The park has a rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back thousands of years. The park is also home to several historic sites, including the remains of the Butterfield Overland Mail stagecoach route and the ghost town of Borrego Springs.
Overall, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is a unique and diverse destination for nature lovers, geologists, and history buffs alike. Its combination of stunning landscapes, unique geology, and rich cultural history make it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the beauty and diversity of Southern California’s deserts.
If you’re interested in more wildflower sightseeing locations, browse this comprehensive 2024 California Super Bloom and Wildflower Guide.
Table of Contents
Current Wildflower Blooms in Anza-Borrego
Located in the Colorado Desert of California, a southeastern part of the larger Sonoran Desert, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park hosts a beautifully varied display of wildflowers from mid-February to April. The amount of wildflowers in bloom largely depends on the amount of rain that has fallen in the area. Luckily, this winter has been an exceptionally wet one, which means we will likely be treated to an abundant showing of wildflowers.
There are many great hikes to explore and view unique desert plants and flowers.
Flowers are blooming in certain areas of the park, including Henderson Canyon Road (to the east) and at the entrance to Coyote Canyon. Some blooms are also occurring at June Wash, at the park’s southern end. Some native species you can find along the park’s canyon trails include desert marigold, desert lily, sand verbena, desert sunflower, apricot mallow, desert five-spot, Orcutt’s woody aster, and blooming cacti.
For more weekly updates on wildflower blooms within the park, visit the Anza-Borrego State Park Facebook Page or call the Wildflower Hotline at (760) 767-4684Â for weekly wildflower updates.
The park has put together an interactive wildflower map for 2024: https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/c88e4ec5824947e7a8428ccd0d3cb77a/
Wildflower Super Bloom in Anza-Borrego
With the amount of rain California has received this year, the prospect of an expansive and abundant wildflower bloom this year is looking promising!
- Fields next to the Interpretive Rest Area at the Coyote Canyon entrance, off of DiGiorgio Road.
- Fields on the north side of Henderson Canyon Road.
- Di Giorgio Road, Coyote Canyon
- Plum Canyon
- Grapevine Canyon
- Henderson Canyon Road
- Borrego Palm Canyon
Flower Reports
Coyote Canyon
Start on Coyote Canyon for the first mile past the end of the pavement. Directions: Go north on DiGiorgio Road, one road east of Christmas Circle. The pavement ends about three miles north of Palm Canyon Drive. Park at the Interpretive Kiosk OR drive 1/2 mile on the sandy road and park. Look for flowers for the next mile. The road is sandy and passable with a 2WD vehicle. Past Desert Gardens, Coyote Canyon past Desert Gardens is 4WD. Dogs are allowed on the road on a leash.
Henderson Canyon Road
Henderson Canyon Road on 2/29/2024. Flower fields of purple verbena and yellow sunflowers with green shrubs, blue skies, and mountains in the distance.
June Wash
June Wash. Location: Mile 41 on Country Rd S2, an hour’s drive south of Borrego Springs. 3 miles south of Aqua Caliente County Park. PARK at the start of the wash with 2WD. Deep sandy road, OKAY for 4WD.
Flowers are along the road and washes, good for walking.
Best Hikes and Walks with Wildflowers
The Borrego Palm Canyon 3-mile loop is a popular trail with plenty of wildflowers to catch in bloom. On this moderately difficult trail, you can appreciate California’s third-largest palm oasis, and you may just see an elusive desert bighorn sheep.
The Visitor Center is a great place to begin your wildflower hunt. There is a short nature trail that you can meander through and then continue on to the campground area where you can venture through the washes.
The Slot is about a 2-mile loop trail near Borrego Springs that meanders through narrow gaps with the canyon walls formed by flash floods, some reaching up to forty feet high. You can see desert wildflowers nestled among beautiful geology on this hike.
This park map outlines the various roads you can take throughout the park.
Wildflower Hunting Etiquette
- Stay on the trails
- Do not park on vegetation
- Pick up all trash and leave no trace
- Do not pick flowers
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Map
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I strive to paint vivid landscapes with my words, bringing the magic of far-off lands and enchanting aromas to life for my readers. Combine passion for exploration and the art of gastronomy in an unending ode to the senses. When I’m not traversing the globe, I find solace in the earth beneath my fingertips, tending to my garden and working on projects around my verdant oasis. MK Library serves as a beacon, guiding fellow travelers and homebodies alike to embrace sustainability, nurturing both our planet and our souls with purpose. Full Bio.