School Groups

Visitor Center
Begin your visit at our award winning Visitor Center. There you will find exhibits, 15 minute movies, a native plant garden, and a sales area with books, maps and postcards. Modern restrooms and drinking fountain are available, as well as bus parking. The Visitor Center is open daily 9-5, except during the summer. From June through September, it is open weekends and holidays only.

Interpretive Programs
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park® offers interpretive programs for visiting school groups. These programs are led by trained staff and volunteers. A phone reservation is required at least three weeks in advance. Call (760)767-0334 to schedule a program.

What to Expect
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (ABDSP) is the largest state park in California. It extends over 900 square miles, elevations range from 6,000 foot peaks to land only 15 feet above sea level. ABDSP’s mission is to protect and preserve this diverse land and its resources. Collecting natural or cultural resources is prohibited.

While rainfall is generally less than seven inches per year, be prepared for wind and temperatures over 100 degrees between April and November. Temperatures in higher elevations and after dark may be very cool. Vegetation is sparse in most areas, and shade is hard to find. Plan to carry your own water. Many desert plants are equipped with spines, so be ready with a comb and tweezers to remove them.

Many of the roads in ABDSP can be traveled only by foot or 4-wheel drive. Most of them are in “washes” and subject to flash floods. It is a good idea to visit the Park and become familiar with an area before you bring your group. A free Park magazine presents information about the different resources here. Park maps are available for sale at the Visitor Center or to download a map, click here. Inquire at the Visitor Center about road conditions.

Suggested Areas for Groups:
Palm Canyon Trail
Mine Canyon Village Site
Blair Valley
Elephant Trees Trail