Travel: Borrego Springs/Ocotillo Wells
Vanlife is great when all the things just line up.
Access to the outdoors
Safe places to stay
New things to see and explore
Supplies close by
Great weather
Borrego Springs/ Ocotillo Wells checks all those boxes.
“Sheesha Sandstorm” Salton Sea, CA by Angelina Christina (aka Starfighter)
Distances
Let’s talk distances. Yup, it’s in the desert. But if you’re in Southern California it’s not incredibly far away, yet it feels like a world away.
From Los Angeles - 3hrs / 166 miles (267 km)
From San Diego - 2hrs / 94 miles (151 km)
From Palm Springs - 1.5hrs / 88 miles (141 km)
From Las Vegas - 5hrs / 316 miles (508 km)
From San Francisco - 8.5hrs / 550 miles (885 km)
Borrego Springs: Where to stay
Glamping or Camping? That’s always a question for us. It’s a blast to be out in the desert but there are times after exploring you might want a little civilization.
Glamping:
Desert Sands Vintage Trailer Park
This is a super sweet spot. “80 degree pool with a hot Jacuzzi, poolside Tikki hut with refrigerator, sink, bar, gas cook top, and pizza oven. We have stuck with the 50’s and 60’s theme and everything is kept in immaculate clean condition.” If you’re into the vintage vibe (and we are) this is a cool spot.
Probably the swankiest RV spot in the area. Really nice spot with a very nice set up with a great pool, tennis courts and a golf course. “Nestled within Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, The Springs at Borrego RV Resort and Golf Course provides spacious RV park sites, fully-furnished park models, top-notch amenities and recreational activities. Borrego Springs offers 300 days of sunshine a year, plus the only internationally-recognized ‘Dark Sky’ in California!”
Quirky spot with a western theme yet adorned with really nice modern Airstream trailers. It’s an odd clash of faux western building surrounding a moder(ish) pool. But it’s very clean and nice. They host many talented live musicians at their saloon so it’s worth finding out if anyone is playing. They do have a laundry room which is a bonus if you’ve been out in the desert for a few days and need some fresh clothes. Obviously there are showers to freshen up at. All spots are 30amp or 50amp spots so you can plug in and recharge the batteries and use the shore power while staying in an RV spot.
Anza Borrego State Park at Palm Canyon
Perfect for Vans, as you enter you’ll see palm trees making it look like a bit of an oasis in the desert. The place has restrooms and showers as well as access to a bunch of hiking trails. Best of all (for us) dogs are allowed as our pups travels with us quite a bit. You have to reserve a site here. Make sure you do this well in advance. Each site has a picknic table and an in-ground fire pit with grill.
Open / Primitive Camping
And finally, all the spots we all really love to stay at. Finding some of the way out spots can be tricky. But here’s a couple easy access ones that are well maintained.
Tamarisk Grove Campground (right next to Yaqui Wash) are two spots easily accessible by 2WD vans.
Cactus Loop Trail is a cool little hike littered with amazing little cactus. Definitely worth a walk.
Yaqui Pass - This is a free spot on BLM land just off the road there’s a two track dirt road. We made it fine with our 2WD sprinter with BFGs. There is a large parking area at the top of the pass.
We recommend always to wear ankle height hiking boots and pants when out and about. You never know if you walk by some cactus or disturb a snake.
Dogs are welcome but keeping them on a leash is highly advisable. You don’t want your pups to stumble into all the cactus or possibly get bit by a rattle snake. At night keep them always by your side and never off leash. There are lots of coyotes in the desert and even large bobcats on occasion.
Borrego Springs: What to see
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park - 3.5 miles
Palm Canyon Oasis is very cool. Palm Canyon is fifteen miles long in total and one of the areas most beautiful spots. There are a bunch of truly native flora and fauna in this area and really feels like you’ve stepped back in time. The Washingtonia filifera (California Fan Palm) are amazing in contrasts to the rocky gorges and barren desert surrounding it. There’s a pretty easy trail that winds down into the canyon for picnicking where you can find a cool stream. You can go up and check out a cluster of a bunch of palm trees.
Update: Last year (2020) some jerk burned down the grove of palm trees. Roughly 60 mature California fan palms went up in a fiery ball of flame. Cal Fire investigators on Friday said the palm grove fire was started by a juvenile, who has been referred to the Burn Institute’s Juvenile Firesetter Intervention Program,” Cal Fire Spokesman Thomas Shoots said. Because the incident involves a minor, nothing else will be released, he said.
Fear not. This was one of many palm groves in the canyon. It happens to be the first one and most popular as many don’t get further up to find the others.
Andreas Canyon Loop is a great .
Borrego Springs: Where to go
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Ocotillo Wells: Where to stay
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Ocotillo Wells: What to see
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Ocotillo Wells: Where to go
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Also worth checking out…
Baby Camels Too!!!!
