Nestled in the heart of Southern California’s Anza-Borrego Desert State Park lies Borrego Springs. This hidden gem offers RVers a unique desert experience that’s hard to beat.
Discovering Borrego Springs
Located approximately 90 miles north and east of San Diego, Borrego Springs is a small, unincorporated community in San Diego County. With just over three thousand people, the town is uniquely surrounded by the vast expanse of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park—the largest state park in California, covering more than 600,000 acres.
The name “Borrego” comes from the Spanish word for “sheep.” No doubt that’s because of the bighorn sheep that inhabit the area. The town’s history dates back to the late 18th century. That’s when Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza led an expedition through the region.
Significant development began in the 1920s with the establishment of water wells. This led to a boom in agriculture and settlement.
Must-see attractions
Borrego Springs boasts a variety of attractions that cater to nature lovers, art enthusiasts, and adventure seekers:
• Galleta Meadows sculptures: Scattered throughout the desert landscape are more than 130 metal sculptures crafted by artist Ricardo Breceda. These life-sized artworks depict prehistoric creatures, desert wildlife, and even a 350-foot-long serpent. It’s a surreal experience as you explore the open desert, and it’s free.
• Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: Encircling the town, this state park offers 500 miles of dirt roads, 12 designated wilderness areas, and numerous hiking trails. Popular spots include the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail, which leads to a native palm oasis, and Fonts Point, renowned for its panoramic views of the Borrego Badlands.
• Stargazing: Recognized as an International Dark Sky Community, Borrego Springs provides some of the clearest night skies in the country. The minimal light pollution makes it a prime spot for astronomy enthusiasts to observe stars, planets, and meteor showers.
RV campgrounds
For RV travelers, Borrego Springs offers several campgrounds equipped with a range of amenities for a fun and comfortable stay. Here are a few to consider:
The Springs at Borrego RV Resort & Golf Course: This resort features 200 spacious, full hook-up sites. Also, you’ll find a 9-hole championship golf course, mineral baths, and a variety of recreational activities. Guests can enjoy the swimming pool, fitness center, and organized social events.
Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort: Offering a blend of Old West charm and modern conveniences, this resort provides full hook-up RV sites, two outdoor pools, hot tubs, an on-site restaurant and saloon, and a general store. Its proximity to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park makes it a convenient base for exploration.
Borrego Palm Canyon Campground: Situated within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, this campground offers a more rustic experience. Here, you’ll have options for full hook-up and non-hook-up sites. Amenities include restrooms, showers, and easy access to hiking trails. It’s an excellent choice for those looking to immerse themselves in nature.
Tips for RVers
• Best time to visit: The ideal time to visit Borrego Springs is during the cooler months, from October to April. This is the time when daytime temperatures are mild, making outdoor activities more enjoyable.
• Reservations: Given the town’s growing popularity, especially during wildflower super blooms, it’s advisable to book campground reservations in advance.
• Supplies: While Borrego Springs has essential services, it’s a good idea to stock up on necessary supplies before arrival, as options can be limited.
You should go!
Borrego Springs offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, and modern amenities. If you’re looking for a memorable desert adventure, this is the place!
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There’s a beautiful old resort that lies opposite the Palm Canyon rv place off a dirt road. Movie stars of the 40’s and 50’s used to visit as a get away from Hollywood and relax more or less incognito. There’s a wonderful restaurant that we’ve eaten at a few times and you can still stay as a guest. There’s a beautiful pool too and there was a grotto that served as a bar for many years. It’s been boarded up for a long time but I snuck in and took some pictures a long time ago. The Springs at Borrego is a luxury park and has beautiful sites.
Everything you wrote about is absolutely true. It’s a great place to explore and photograph – but one thing to note (as I have spent a lot of time over the years there) it can be very WINDY, so be prepared for that. It’s not that it blows hard, it just seems to blow constantly (nothing to block it).
Thank you for the discussion, Gail! Perhaps we’ll RV in California one day. It won’t be soon, but perhaps when it does happen I will still remember your recommendation to visit here. Have a great week and safe travels!
We loved Borrego Springs SP and the whole area. We dispersed camped in the Blair Valley Campground, midway between the town of Borrego Springs and Julian. Day trips to both towns were fun, and we had the expanse of the high valley outside our door.
I disagree with the fact stated that Borrego Springs has limited supplies. There are several grocery stores, a hardware store, car mechanic, thrift stores, library, restaurants, outdoor fitters, giftware at the small mall….and more