Borrego Palm Canyon

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, CA Colorado Desert (Western Sonoran Desert)

Trip stats

Distance
2.9 mi
Net Gain
500 ft
Time
1-2 hrs
YDS Rating
Class 1
Route
Out/Back

Ratings out of 10

Effort
1/10
Personality
3/10
Beauty
5/10
Solitude
1.1/10
What do these mean? →

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

33.270115, -116.418107

The directions link below drops a pin on the trailhead coordinates and lets Google Maps pick the route. If the drive has rough roads or access issues that GPS nav might get wrong, I cover that in my trip report.

Trip report

Jan 11, 2017 — Starting in the Borrego Palm Campground (where you need to pay for day use), follow the well-worn trail through the progressively narrowing Borrego Palm Canyon. The trail is easy to follow and crosses a flowing stream a couple of times. The trail leads along the northern side of the drainage after the palm grove comes into view, and then drops down to them. Signs and a blockade attempt to prevent visitors from leaving the trail and getting too close to the palms to help them grow, creating a small viewing area. If you're into peakbagging, the route continues to Indianhead from here.

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Photos

27 photos

  1. Start at a pool containing endangered desert fish.
  2. Along the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail, headed into the canyon in the center of this photo.
  3. The trail is well-maintained and marked.
  4. The Borrego Palm Canyon Trail enters a wash.
  5. Entering Borrego Palm Canyon.
  6. Some vegetation along the way within Borrego Palm Canyon.
  7. Borrego Palm Oasis visible ahead.
  8. Approaching the Palms.
  9. The trail crosses a stream.
  10. A small waterfall just before the Borrego Palms.
  11. Borrego Palm Oasis.
  12. The Borrego Palms from within the viewing area.
  13. Family photo ;)
  14. Heading up a little side trail to get a view back down the canyon.
  15. Overlooking the palms, my brother Nick in the foreground.

Photo 1 of 1

Hire me or show some love!

Hire or refer me as a web developer, or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so it's funded by yours truly. It also takes a ton of work to edit photos and write these reports. I really appreciate it!

GPX track

Borrego Palm Canyon GPX route and driving track

The complete GPX track is available to download, so you can load the route straight into your navigation app or device. The trip report, route info, photos and planning details stay free.