Anza-Borrego North: Nance Canyon

Nance Canyon from the Pacific Crest Trail

In the 1770a, Juan Bautista de Anza led two expeditions across the desert to the California coast. One was to explore the route, the other was to bring over 200 people and 1,000 head of cattle to colonize San Francisco. The Anza expeditions left the desert and its hardships at Nance Canyon.

Nance Canyon is one of three canyons that combine to form Coyote Canyon at Turkey Track. The others are Horse Canyon from the northeast and Tule Canyon from the west.

Getting to Nance Canyon. Nance Canyon can be reached from three points along the Coyote Canyon Road in Anza. From Highway 371, north of the Anza business district, turn right (south) on Kirby Road, following it to its end at Wellman Road, and following Wellman to Terwilliger Road and turning south. At the bottom of the valley, turn left onto Coyote Canyon Road (paved), and turn right (south) where the pavement ends. You first reach Nance Canyon at Covered Wagon Trail (Joy Lane on some maps). This area is private property. Coyote Canyon Road (or jeep trail) makes an unmarked half-left turn up hill through a gate (locked in summer until October 1) into Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The second entrance to Nance Canyon requires a half-mile hike on the Pacific Crest Trail (signs marks its crossing of the Coyote Canyon jeep trail). The third entrance is further down the jeep trail (4WD only) at Turkey Track.

Top of Nance Canyon looking northwest

Entrance to Nance Canyon at Turkey Track