Please review our hiker info page to familiarize yourself with hiker safety rules and our hike ratings so that you can select hikes that meet your level of fitness. Unless specified otherwise in the activity descriptions below, hikes have a 15 person limit, and they begin in the ABDNHA parking lot.

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  • 4WD Tour: Canyon Sin Nombre-Diablo Dropoff-Fish Creek (MEMBERS PRIORITY) – FULL (waitlist)

    Leader: Jim Torian, ABDNHA Volunteer
    TOUR IS FULL - PLEASE CALL ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist.
    Level 4 Required – 4WD High Clearance**

    We'll meet at 9:00 am at the south entrance to Canyon Sin Nombre, off the S2, 34 miles south of SR78 (Scissors Crossing), about 0.6 miles south of Sweeney Pass. We'll brief and air down before starting our journey within ABDSP. We'll travel 13 miles on Canyon Sin Nombre to Vallecito Creek Road, then to Arroyo Seco del Diablo, reaching the Diablo drop-off, which has both easy and challenging descents. From there, we’ll head north to Split Mountain Road, where our trip ends. Expect rocky roads, washboard, soft sand, and mild challenges. Lunch is BYO, and a stop will be made. Check the weather and dress accordingly. Bring water and a full tank of gas. GMRS channel 15 is optional. 4WD is required; no AWD. This is a members-priority trip. Visit the Nature Center or call to reserve: 760-767-3098.

    ** Level 4: 4WD High Clearance REQUIRED due to deep sand, large rocks, steep sections, large obstacles, or rough conditions

  • SPECIAL ROCK ART WEEKEND: Dr. Whitley’s Lecture, Part 1 – Understanding Native Californian Rock Art

    ABDNHA Library 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, United States

    Speaker: David Whitley, Ph.D.

    The meanings of pictographs and petroglyphs have long been a mystery to most people, including archaeologists. The result has been a series of supposedly common-sense guesses, like “hunting magic” or “maps to water,” that were offered because people claimed Native Americans themselves did not know why these sites were made or how they were used. But the unpublished field notes of the state’s Native American tribes — the ethnographic record — some dating back to the 1870s, together with extensive published research, paint a different picture.  With substantial research to identify and compile this widely scattered information, Dr. Whitley will explain how a clear understanding of the origins, meanings, and uses of the sites results, providing a better understanding and appreciation of the remarkable artistic and intellectual record of California rock art. In the ABDNHA Library.  General Public: $12, Members: $10, ABDNHA Volunteers: $8. Register at abdnha.org or the Nature Center at 760-767-3098.

    Get Tickets $8.00 – $12.00

  • Hike: Smugglers’ Canyon Overlook & Pictographs (Moderate) – FULL (waitlist)

    ABDNHA Parking Lot 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, United States

    Leader: Bruce Kelley, ABDNHA Volunteer
    HIKE IS FULL - PLEASE CALL ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist.
    This hike is located in Blair Valley, off S2, and involves a 45-minute drive from the ABDNHA parking lot, with the last five miles on a jeep road that is rough in places and requires 4WD/high clearance. This is a three-mile (round-trip) hike past pictographs and a native American village to a beautiful overlook. Bring water, sunscreen, good shoes, and a 4WD vehicle. Carpooling is encouraged. Meet in the parking lot of ABDNHA no later than 7:50 am. No charge; call the Nature Center to reserve.

  • Hike: Exploring Coyote Canyon

    ABDNHA Parking Lot 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, United States

    Leader: Marlin Burke, Naturalist Volunteer

    We meet at ABDNHA and then carpool to Coyote Creek, where we explore the history of Native Americans and early settlers, geology, paleontology, Plant life, Coyote Creek itself, and whatever else catches our attention. Easy walking; driving on a dirt road. High clearance 2WD or SUV acceptable due to dirt road with possible rocks or potholes. No charge, but registration is required.  Call or visit the ABDNHA Nature Center, 760-767-3098.

  • SPECIAL ROCK ART WEEKEND: Dr. Whitley’s Lecture, Part 2 – European Cave Paintings and the Origins of Art and Religion

    ABDNHA Library 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, United States

    Speaker: David Whitley, Ph.D.

    Few aspects of our archaeological past are more intriguing than the ancient cave paintings and engravings of France and Spain. These are exemplified by the remarkable murals in sites such as Lascaux, Altamira, and Chauvet caves, which date from roughly 14,000 to 35,000 years ago. They, and similar sites, are widely regarded as signaling both the first “creative explosion” in human history, as indicated by the earliest true masterpieces of art, as well as the origins of religious beliefs and practices.

    In tonight’s presentation, Dr. Whitley will discuss his extensive research into cave art and how he has brought two distinct sciences together to find answers. The first part begins with archaeological data that suggest when, where, and why this phenomenon may have first emerged in human history.  The second part involves investigating the cognitive sciences to understand why religious beliefs are found in every culture, at all time periods. This is not to determine the veracity of religious belief, which is a matter of personal faith, but to explain why religious and spiritual beliefs are universal to the human experience. Whether it is the result of biology or divine inspiration, aspects of human cognition have caused us to believe in gods, spirits, and spirit worlds from the earliest days of humanity. In the ABDNHA Library. General Public: $12, Members: $10, ABDNHA Volunteers: $8. Register at abdnha.org or the Nature Center at 760-767-3098.

    Get Tickets $8.00 – $12.00

  • Hike: Borrego Badlands – East Truckhaven Lollipop (Moderate)

    ABDNHA Parking Lot 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, United States

    Leaders: Sanjiv Nanda and Alan Parks

    We will take the east fork of Truckhaven Wash. At about three-quarters of a mile, we will come to a boulder blockage that we will crawl our way through. An easy scramble then takes us over to Arroyo Salado. We will do an out-and-back exploration of this lightly visited portion of Arroyo Salado. On the way back, we will climb out of Arroyo Salado and visit the Elephant, a Native American solstice site. Here, you will have an opportunity to scale some of the iconic uplifted slanting Truckhaven Rocks. We complete the lollipop by returning via the east fork of Truckhaven. This six-mile hike is rated moderate, with one place where you will have to get down on your hands and knees. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Meet at 8:00 am at the ABDNHA Nature Center. We will carpool to the trailhead, as parking on the shoulder at Truckhaven Wash is limited. Max: 22. No charge, call or stop by to reserve, 760-767-3098.

  • Hike: Mountain Palm Springs & Torote Bowl (Strenuous)

    ABDNHA Parking Lot 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, United States

    Leaders: Carmelita Logerwell and Terri Straub

    Hike five miles, 800’ gain. We will hike to all six oases and Torote Bowl. Lots of endangered elephant trees and six beautiful palm groves. A bit steep and rocky to Torote Bowl. One hour, 15 minute drive to trailhead. $10 parking fee. Short, unpaved road ok for any vehicle. Meet at ABDNHA by 7:50 am. Bring lunch/snacks, water, good hiking shoes. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.

  • 4WD Tour: Yaqui Flats (Members Priority)

    ABDNHA Parking Lot 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, United States

    Leader: Dave Walters, ABDNHA Volunteer  

    Level 4 Short Wheel Base Vehicle only**

    We meet for our trip at ABDNHA parking lot at 9:00am. Leaving Borrego Springs, we caravan west on Highway S22 for 7 miles and enter the trailhead at Old Culp Valley Rd. Next we turn onto Jasper Trail and then the Grapevine Trail. We stop at our destination of Yaqui Flats. If winter rains were sufficient, there will be abundant flowers. When leaving, we continue to Yaqui Well and highway 78. Bring food and water. Wear weather-appropriate clothes, and bring a hat and chair. We will using 2-way GMRS radios on channel 15. No charge. This is a members priority trip. Stop by or call the Nature Center to reserve, 760-767-3098.

    **Level 4 4WD REQUIRED due to deep sand, large rocks, steep sections, large obstacles, or rough conditions

  • ABDNHA’s Annual Desert Home & Garden Tour

    Enjoy a tour of 4-6 beautiful private homes and gardens in Borrego Springs at your own pace during ABDNHA's annual Desert Home & Garden Tour. Tickets will be available for sale in January 2026.

  • Beautiful Romanian landscape with castles, countryside, and traditional culture.

    Romania Trip 2026!

    Spots are still available

    Join Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association on a grand tour of Romania, one of Europe’s most underrated destinations. Romania has beautiful nature, charming medieval towns, stately castles, colorful monasteries, traditional rural areas, interesting history, and several UNESCO world heritage sites. The group will be led by geologist Don Barrie, GeoTours tour director Matt Ebiner, and an English-speaking Romanian guide.

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