Anza Borrego St Park, CA: I am starting research for a trip to Anza Borrego State Park in California in March 2022. I will probably plan at least three days in the area. I am doing a...

Jerry Coupe Loc: Kent, WA

I am starting research for a trip to Anza Borrego State Park in California in March 2022. I will probably plan at least three days in the area.

I am doing a search on line, but would be interested in UHH member's input on places to see. I have seen a few posts about the slot canyons and would like input on degree of difficulty navigating into and through the canyon.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

pmorin Loc: Huntington Beach, Palm Springs

Jerry Coupe wrote:

I am starting research for a trip to Anza Borrego State Park in California in March 2022. I will probably plan at least three days in the area.

I am doing a search on line, but would be interested in UHH member's input on places to see. I have seen a few posts about the slot canyons and would like input on degree of difficulty navigating into and through the canyon.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

It’s a beautiful place to be when the wildflowers bloom, that’s for sure! There are lots of dirt roads back into the canyons, so hopefully you have a high clearance vehicle. 4 wheel drive isn’t always necessary, but there are times when it would be helpful. I have a link to the state website, here: https://www.california.com/guide-anza-borrego-desert-state-park/
Definitely go to the Visitors Center and ask the rangers where the best blooms are. They are all very helpful and have all the info you will need to find the best spots and canyons.
With any luck the desert lily’s will be blooming.

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SHWeiss

Get a 4wd (pickup truck is great, buy extra insurance) visit the slot, mountain Palm Springs, drive canyon Sin Nombre and visit slot toward end, pumpkin patch rocks, sandstone canyon via fish creek (drive) with visit to Wind caves along the way

Bobby123

Be sure to check out all the outdoor sculptures around town. There's a huge dragon, maybe 150 feet long, mastodons, horses, and many others. They are scattered all around town.

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

While you are in that area, you might want to check out Salton City as well (the Salton Sea is a fascinating, and sometimes stinky, place) - Salton City was, I believe, planned to be a community for those who wanted to soak in the waters (not unlike the Dead Sea) but it never panned out so while there are a few houses there is a bunch of infrastructure (streets, transformers on telephone poles, etc.) - they could have shot "Breaking Bad" there (they didn't but they could have)

agillot

Salton see , and there Bombay beach .Home of some movie stars in the 50 s .

ColonelButler Loc: Niagara-on-the-Lake ON Canada

Recent rain in the area has the potential to produce a fabulous wildflower "superbloom" in March. Avoid the weekends when half of San Diego shows up.

Side trip to Salvation Mountain, Slab City, Bombay Beach and East Jesus will provide lots of unique photo opps.

IreneAC Loc: San Diego

We love Anza Borrego and have been there many times.

The Slot Canyon is an easy walk, but you can't be obese or you may not fit through (really!).
It is not real colorful, but it is still fun and an interesting place to hike.
I've attached attached a few photos to show the terrain (took with a cell phone).

Other places to visit:
Fonts Point (there is a long stretch of dirt road, but we made it in our Passat, although it would have been easier to navigate with a higher-clearance vehicle). The view is worth the drive!

Palm Canyon is very popular and a relatively easy hike - at the end of which you are rewarded with an oasis that is filled with palm trees and grassy areas. The palms burned several years ago, and we haven't been back there since the fire but I understand some of the palms have recovered.

My husband, he is 6' and weighs 180lbs.

This is me, 5'5", I weigh 120 lbs and had to turn sideways in some sections.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

pmorin wrote:

It’s a beautiful place to be when the wildflowers ... (show quote)

Beautiful flower image and thanks for the suggestions.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

SHWeiss wrote:

Get a 4wd (pickup truck is great, buy extra insurance) visit the slot, mountain Palm Springs, drive canyon Sin Nombre and visit slot toward end, pumpkin patch rocks, sandstone canyon via fish creek (drive) with visit to Wind caves along the way

Great input, thanks

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

Thank you everyone for the suggestions.
I just changed my planning so I will arrive after a weekend.

Jerry

rcarol

Jerry Coupe wrote:

I am starting research for a trip to Anza Borrego State Park in California in March 2022. I will probably plan at least three days in the area.

I am doing a search on line, but would be interested in UHH member's input on places to see. I have seen a few posts about the slot canyons and would like input on degree of difficulty navigating into and through the canyon.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

If you're hoping to find slot canyons in ABSP like Antelope Canyon, you will be dissapointed. Antelope Canyon is a varigated array of colorful sandstone. The slot canyon in ABSP is mostly compacted dry mud and are shallow and open to the sky above.

joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

IreneAC wrote:

We love Anza Borrego and have been there many time... (show quote)

Beautiful exploration ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

jscorbin Loc: Woodinville, WA

A drive up Fish Creek Wash and into Split Mountain is a good adventure, and you can walk farther into the narrow canyon. These photos are scanned from old slides.

However, avoid the area if rain or thunderstorms are forecast. Check with the rangers beforehand and watch the weather. Flash floods can come up in the narrow canyons very quickly, from a thunderstorm miles away. Remember, slot canyons are created by flash floods.

When Fish Creek Wash is awash. This was in a December.

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My '78 Saab did the drive into Split Mountain quite well in March. Glad there were no rockfalls at the time.

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joecichjr Loc: Chicago S. Suburbs, Illinois, USA

Outstanding ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐