ANZA-BORREGO SOUTH : ROADS  Fossil Canyon

Fossil Canyon

Fossil Canyon, also known as Shell Canyon, cuts into the Coyote Mountains from the southwest. Fossil Canyon is an Area of Critical Environmental Concern within the Coyote Mountain Wilderness, defined by the Bureau of Land Management and managed by the BLM's El Centro office. It is reached from the Imperial Highway (County Road S-2) in Ocotillo by turning east at Shell Canyon Road. Follow this road, which is paved, toward the mountains and through a left turn that takes you under the high-tension power line. Leave the pavement and drive onto a one-lane dirt road at a weathered old sign on the right.

The road can be driven to the canyon itself, but not into it. You'll want to examine the canyon walls to look for caves and rocks, and also to examine the walls' different colors. This walk can be especially enjoyable in the spring wildflower season when the plants seen include Brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), Desert Lantern (Camissonia boothii), Peirson's Evening Primrose (Camissonia claviformis var. peirsonii), and the Desert Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia virgata).