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Anza Borrego: Complete Guide to Free & Dispersed Camping

Free Places to Camp with OTG's Teardrop Camper Trailer Near or In Anza Borrego

Desert bloom season is here! You don’t want to miss out. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is by far one of the best and most unique destinations to take in the beauty and for free, dispersed camping. Remember that with dispersed camping there are typically little to no facilities in the area, so be sure to bring plenty of water and supplies. Some of these will have outdoor restrooms. But definitely not running water or electrical shore power. Our offroad teardrop camper trailer comes equipped with essentials 30 gallon water tank, 5 pound propane, 2 burner stove.  Timing is everything, the best time to see the blooms in full is Mid-March to early April.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is located in southern California, about 90 miles east of San Diego. The park has several areas where desert wildflowers are commonly found, including Borrego Palm Canyon, Henderson Canyon Road, Coyote Canyon, and the Badlands.

Here are some areas within Anza-Borrego park and nearby where you can find some of the most beautiful places to disperse camp:

  • Blair Valley: This is a popular area for dispersed camping within the park. It is located in the central part of the park and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

  • Vallecito County Park: This park is located just outside the park boundaries and offers several dispersed camping areas. It is located near the Vallecito Stage Station, which was a stop on the historic Southern Emigrant Trail.

  • Yaqui Well: This is a small dispersed camping area located within the park near the western boundary. It is known for its stunning views of the surrounding mountains and its proximity to several hiking trails.

When camping in these areas, it’s important to practice Leave No Trace principles and please respect the park and its delicate ecosystem. Be sure to bring enough water and supplies, and always follow fire safety guidelines.

Types of Wildflowers: Anza-Borrego is home to a variety of wildflowers, including desert lilies, sand verbena, dune primrose, chuparosa, desert sunflowers, and many more. One of the most famous wildflowers in the park is the bright orange desert lily, which can be found along many of the hiking trails.

One of the best ways to see the wildflowers is by hiking through the park. There are several trails that offer great views of the wildflowers, including the Borrego Palm Canyon Trail, the Henderson Canyon Road Trail, and the Carrizo Badlands Overlook Trail. Just remember to never collect!

Don't Skip Seeing Galleta Medows

The great thing about towing a small teardrop trailer is that you can easily get around, parking isn’t too difficult. You don’t want to miss out on seeing Galleta Medows Estate Sculptures. These sculptures were created by artist Ricardo Breceda.

Ricardo Breceda is a self-taught artist from Mexico who began creating metal sculptures in the 1990s. He was commissioned by local landowner Dennis Avery to create a series of sculptures for his property in Borrego Springs. The sculptures were meant to represent the prehistoric animals that once roamed the area, as well as other desert creatures.

Breceda’s sculptures are made from scrap metal, and they are created using a combination of welding, cutting, and shaping techniques. The sculptures range in size from small creatures to large-scale installations that are several stories tall.

The sculptures have become a popular attraction in Borrego Springs, and visitors can take a self-guided tour to see them all. The sculptures are spread out across the town and the surrounding desert landscape, and they are often found in unexpected places.

In addition to the prehistoric animals, some of the other sculptures in the collection include a serpent, a giant scorpion, and a dragon. Breceda’s work has been featured in galleries and museums around the world, and his sculptures in Borrego Springs are a testament to his creativity and artistic vision.

 

Places to Explore In Anza Borregoa

One of our favorite things to do in Anza Borrego is to hike to the Wind Caves.  The Wind Caves are known for their unique and stunning rock formations. The caves are accessible via a short hike from the Split Mountain Road, which is located off the S-2 highway in the southern part of the park. Visitors can explore the caves and take in the panoramic views of the surrounding desert landscape. The Wind Caves are just one of many interesting and beautiful destinations in Anza-Borrego, and the park has something for everyone to enjoy.

Other things you don’t want to miss:

Font’s Point: This viewpoint offers sweeping panoramic views of the park’s badlands and canyons. It is located off the S-22 highway and is accessible via a short hike.

Palm Canyon: This oasis is home to a grove of California fan palms and is one of the few natural palm oases in California. It is accessible via a hiking trail that leads to a small waterfall.

Mud Caves: The park has several mud caves that were formed by water and wind erosion. They are accessible via several hiking trails and offer a unique and fascinating experience.

Wildlife: Anza-Borrego is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including bighorn sheep, coyotes, bobcats, and more. Visitors can spot wildlife on hiking trails and from scenic overlooks.

Don’t forget that in the evening you will be treated to dark skies that make it a great place to stargaze, take in the Milky Way, planets and seek out constellations on clear nights.

7 Free Places to Camp Near Yosemite

There’s so many beautiful places to camp out there that everyone’s got to experience, some even at no expense! We’re here to discuss how you can get out and have fun at free campsites. Yosemite is a widely known spot for great views, waterfalls, sequoias, and deep valleys. Today we are looking at sites around Yosemite that you and your crew can stay at free of charge! 
 

South Fork Camp Ground

You’ll find this spot in Groveland California at 1500 feet of elevation. This site is low elevation and surrounded by beautiful pine and oak trees. The site is off of the Tuolumne Wild & Scenic River, next to Forest Route 1N01. Here, you can enjoy camp side fire pits and grills! The site is open year round on a first come first serve basis. 


Upper Chiquito Campground 

 This site offers a more tranquil adventure in Bass Lake California. At 7000 feet of elevation, there are 20 campsites with vault restrooms, fire rings, and picnic tables. One unique element of this site is the granite swim holes found nearby. This site’s open season is July and is on a first come first serve basis.


Cherry Valley Campground

This campground is at an elevation of 5000 feet in Groveland, California. The site is on Cherry Valley Lake which offers hiking, fishing, boating, and swimming for campers. You’re also able to enjoy a campfire at these grounds with a permit. The site is open year round on a first come first serve basis.


Big Springs Campground 

In June Lake California, Big Springs Campground is up at 7300 feet of elevation. These grounds have 26 scenic sites in a forest or large and gorgeous pine trees. Your crew can spend their time fishing in Deadman creek, hiking in the Obsidian Dome, or take your off road vehicles for some mountain adventuring. The site is currently closed for storm damage but when it reopens expected in Spring, it will be on a first come first serve basis. 


Redinger Campground 

This campground is at 1500 feet of elevation and located next to Redinger Lake. It is in North Fork, California and offers swimming, fishing, and campfires with a permit. You’ll be surrounded by beautiful gray pine, chaparral and oak trees! The site is open year round on a first come first serve basis.


Hartley Springs Campground

In June Lake, California, this campground sits at 8400 feet of elevation. This site is between June Mountain and Obsidian Dome. The campground offers 25 sites with minimal traffic compared to neighboring sites around June Lake. Hartley Springs additionally has easy access to the Obsidian Dome. Here you can explore Glass Creek, June Mountain or Wilson Butte. The site is open year round on a first come first serve basis.

 

Glass Creek Campground

Also found in June Lake, California, Glass Creek Campground is up at 7700 feet of elevation. Fire rings, picnic tables, vault restrooms, and bear boxes are available for campers. North of Mammoth Lakes, Glass Creek accommodates 66 sites and is thus fairly busy. You can hike the Obsidian Dome as well as explore Owens River. The site is open year round on a first come first serve basis.




 Wherever you choose to explore, enjoying your next camping experience free of charge is something you can’t pass up! You & your crew are bound to love these scenic grounds encompassing Yosemite National Park!

Have a great trip, and please adhere to the principles of Leave No Trace.