Here are some popular 4WD destinations on unpaved roads and jeep trails in Anza-Borrego.
Coyote Canyon
Coyote Canyon is one of the most accessible 4WD routes in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and it’s close to town! This is a 10.6-mile round trip to Third Crossing and back. Prior to Hurricane Hilary’s visit to Anza-Borrego in August 2023, the jeep road went much further, up the bypass into Collins Valley and beyond. However, the 2023 storm washed out the old road and changed the path of Coyote Creek, so the road is now closed at Third Crossing.
How to Get There
From Christmas Circle, drive east on Palm Canyon Drive (S-22) toward the Salton Sea for 0.5 mile to DiGiorgio Road. Turn north (right) on DiGiorgio Road and drive 4.8 miles to the end of the pavement. Continue straight on the jeep road for 3.0 miles to Desert Gardens, a nice picnic spot. Another 0.6 mile brings you to First Crossing where the jeep road crosses Coyote Creek. Continue 0.5 mile to Second Crossing. Here is where a high clearance 4WD vehicle is highly recommended. The last 0.9 mile brings you to Third Crossing. The road is closed beyond this point. Check road conditions before you go.
Book References
Hiking in Anza-Borrego Desert, Volume 1, Pg. 39
Anza-Borrego Desert Region, 6th ed., Pgs. 84-91
Font's Point
Font’s Point is one of the highlights of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, but you won’t see why until the very end of the road. A short walk from the parking area reveals the stark beauty of the Borrego Badlands spreading out below you to the south. Sunrise and sunset are particularly beautiful as the mud hills take on an amazing array of colors.
How to Get There
From Christmas Circle, drive east on Palm Canyon Drive (S-22) toward the Salton Sea for 10.3 miles to the Fonts Point sign on the north side of the road at mile marker 34.8. Turn north (right) into the wash, and drive carefully for 4.0 miles on the dirt road to the parking area. This road has areas of soft sand, so 4WD and high clearance is highly recommended. Check road conditions before you go.
Book References
Hiking in Anza-Borrego Desert, Volume 1, Pg. 39
Anza-Borrego Desert Region, 6th ed., Pgs. 76-79
Vista del Malpais
Vista del Malpais is a stunning hiking destination in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, offering hikers panoramic views of the dramatic Borrego Badlands. The rugged terrain, shaped by centuries of erosion, reveals a labyrinth of canyons, ridges, and desert floor stretching toward the Salton Sea. Hikers will be captivated by the unique geological formations and the sheer vastness of the desert landscape, making this an ideal spot for photography and peaceful reflection. The stark beauty of the badlands, formed from ancient seas and tectonic activity, creates a one-of-a-kind hiking experience for adventurers seeking a glimpse into the desert’s history.
How To Get There
To reach Vista del Malpais, a 4WD vehicle is recommended. From Christmas Circle, drive east on the Borrego-Salton Seaway (S-22). At Call Box S22-319, turn south onto the unpaved Thimble Trail and follow it to Short Wash. Turn left and follow the wash between the canyons. After a short distance, you’ll reach another split, where small metal signs point the way. Turn right, following the sign for Vista del Malpais. Continue to the end of the road, where you’ll find the parking area for the overlook. Be sure to bring water and sun protection. facilities nearby.
Seventeen Palms via Arroyo Salado
Arroyo Salado to Seventeen Palms is a 6.25-mile round-trip drive (or hike) from the Borrego-Salton Seaway (S-22) that offers 4WD enthusiasts and hikers a chance to experience the rugged beauty of the desert, culminating at the Seventeen Palms Oasis, one of the rare palm oases in the area. While high-clearance vehicles can drive part of the way along the Truckhaven Trail, hikers can also enjoy exploring the terrain on foot, walking through washes lined with mud hills and canyons.
Starting from the Arroyo Salado Primitive Campground, the trail follows the wash eastward and crosses Cannonball Wash before continuing to the Seventeen Palms Oasis. Along the way, you will encounter the desert’s natural formations, colorful rock layers, and eventually the iconic California fan palms that provided shade and water to early travelers. The route is mostly flat but can be challenging due to deep sand and rugged terrain.
How to Get There
From Christmas Circle, go east on Palm Canyon Drive (S-22) towards the Salton Sea. Drive for 15.8 miles on S-22 to the Arroyo Salado sign at mile marker 34.9 on the right side of the highway. Turn right (south) onto the jeep road. Continue past the campground and through the wash. At 3.6 miles, turn west (right) at the fork and drive another 0.2 miles to the parking area for Seventeen Palms.
North Fork of Palm Wash
North Fork of Palm Wash is particularly notable for its unique rock formations and its hidden “sheep tanks,” small pools that collect water after rain, which are a lesser-known feature, not to be confused with the more famous Natural Sheep Tanks in Smoke Tree Canyon. The mix of scenic beauty and adventurous terrain makes Palm Wash a rewarding destination for both hikers and off-roaders.
How To Get There
To access Palm Wash, take S-22 (Borrego Salton Seaway) east from Borrego Springs, then turn north toward the Truckhaven area within Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area. High-clearance or 4WD vehicles are recommended for exploring the wider, eastern sections of the wash, while the narrower, rocky upper reaches are best explored on foot. Always check conditions before your trip, especially during rainy seasons.
Mine Wash
Mine Wash is a 9.6-mile out-and-back trail, well-known for its historical significance and scenic desert landscapes. The trail winds through the Mescal Bajada, a region abundant with desert agave, and leads to the site of an ancient Kumeyaay village, which can be found within the first 1.5 miles. Here, visitors can explore morteros, stone depressions used by the Kumeyaay people for grinding food. Interpretive signage provides insights into the area’s rich history. As with all archeological sites, it is illegal to remove potsherds or any other materials. Although the trail extends deeper into the Pinyon Mountains, many visitors stop at the village site. The trail is suitable for street-legal vehicles, and while the terrain can be rough, 4WD is not required. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended.
How To Get There
From the junction of Yaqui Pass Road (S-2) and Highway 78, drive east for 2.7 miles on Highway 78. Turn right (south) onto the jeep road for Mine Wash.
Book References
Hiking in Anza-Borrego Desert, Volume 1, Pgs. 68, 75
Anza-Borrego Desert Region, 6th ed., Pgs. 153-154
Military Wash
Military Wash is an intriguing hike through a series of desert drainages in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The area is relatively flat, with numerous washes and scrubs covering the terrain. Known for its historical significance, Military Wash once served as a training ground during World War II, and hikers may still come across remnants such as spent shell casings and other artifacts from that era. The geological features here include eroded canyons, mud hills, and striking rock formations sculpted by wind and water, with colorful sedimentary layers visible throughout.
How To Get There
From the junction of Borrego Springs Road and Highway 78, drive for 1.5 miles east on Highway 78. Turn north (left) onto the Buttes Pass jeep road and follow the jeep road for 0.9 mile. Take the right fork and go past Goat and Hawk Canyons. Once you reach San Felipe Wash, turn right and follow it east. You can park just beyond the Blow Sand exit. A 4WD high-clearance vehicle is recommended due to soft sand and rugged terrain.
Fish Creek Wash & Split Mountain Gorge
Fish Creek Wash is one of the most popular 4WD destinations in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, with plenty of fascinating geological features to see along the way, each one worth a stop for a closer look. The miles indicate the distance from Split Mountain Road where you enter Fish Creek Wash.
- Split Mountain Gorge (mile 1.7 to mile 4.1)
- Landslide (mile 3.5)
- Anticline (mile 3.8)
- Wind Caves (mile 4.4)
- Mudhills Wash & Elephant Knees (mile 4.7)
- Oyster Beds in Loop Wash (mile 7.2 to mile 9.0)
- Layer Cake (mile 10.7)
- Sandstone Canyon (mile 12.5)
How to Get There
In Ocotillo Wells, drive 7.7 miles south on Split Mountain Road to Fish Creek Wash. When the pavement ends, turn right into Fish Creek Wash. The road can be rough, so a high-clearance or 4×4 vehicle is recommended.
Stop by the Desert Nature Center at 652 Palm Canyon Drive to pick up the free Split Mountain Gorge brochure (with map).
Book References
Anza-Borrego Desert Region, 6th ed., Pgs. 189-197
North Fork of Fish Creek Wash
North Fork of Fish Creek Wash is a fascinating area in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, offering access to washes rich with evidence of ancient seashores. This rugged, off-the-beaten-path destination leads explorers to three key washes—Oyster Shell Wash, Lycium Wash, and Mollusk Wash—all of which feature unique geological and botanical sights. As you approach the Vallecito Mountains, plant life becomes more abundant. Hikers will also notice sparkling selenite crystals, a glass-like form of gypsum, in the hills on a sunny day. The area is ideal for exploring on foot and hiking into nearby canyons.
How To Get There
To reach the North Fork of Fish Creek Wash, take Highway 78 southeast from Borrego Springs toward Ocotillo Wells for 20 miles, then turn right onto Split Mountain Road. Continue for 8 miles, right past the Wind Caves trail, until you reach the dirt road leading into Fish Creek Wash. High-clearance vehicles are necessary, and 4WD is recommended. Stay left at forks in the road to follow the North Fork, where you can access the washes. Be sure to check road conditions before heading out, and bring plenty of water.