Hike through Borrego Palm Canyon

Borrego Palm Canyon Trail is located just north of the park visitor center, making it a convenient place to begin your exploration of the Anza-Borrego Desert. To reach the trailhead, drive through Borrego Palm Canyon Campground, the largest developed campground in the park, where an $8 day use fee is charged. This is the only area in the park that requires such a fee. If you don't want to pay the fee you can park at the visitor center and walk an extra mile to the trailhead.

Begin hiking west up the wash outside Borrego Palm Canyon. The trail passes through a variety of cacti and other desert vegetation.

Follow the trail back and forth over the creek bed a few times to arrive at a marked junction one mile (and 300 vertical feet) from the start.

Turn right, continuing up the canyon toward the oasis. As the trail becomes slightly more rugged, amble over and around rocks to reach a small cluster of palms, 1/3 of a mile from the junction. Press on to the grand oasis of California fan palms just ahead.

Relax in the shade of one of the largest palm oases in California.

Dogs and bikes are not allowed on the hiking trails.