ABDNHA

Romania Trip 2026 (Wait List)
2026-10-04 - 2026-10-16
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.
Click here for more information about this trip on the GeoTours website, and to get on the waitlist.

Hike: Santa Ysabel-Kanaka Loop (Moderate)
2026-05-16 08:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Leader: Rachel Rench, ABDNHA Volunteer
This hike covers 7 miles of the upper Santa Ysabel East Preserve from the trailhead on Farmer’s road to the Kanaka Loop and back. The hike is rated Moderate for hiking on old farm roads and some rolling hills with minimal elevation gain.
Bring 1 to 2 liters of water, and wear comfortable hiking boots with good tread.
Meet at 7:50 a.m. at the ABDNHA Parking lot, or at 8:45 a.m. at the trailhead on Farmer’s road.
After the hike, we could stop for lunch in Julian or Wynola before returning to Borrego Springs. Call 760-767-3098 or come in to reserve. No charge.

Borrego Birders Weekly Walk (Easy)
2026-05-11 08:00 - 10:00, 2026-05-04 08:00 - 10:00, 2026-04-27 08:00 - 10:00, 2026-04-20 08:00 - 10:00 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Co-Leaders: Hal Cohen and Jonathan Berman
Go birding around town with local birders. We’ll search for spring migrants, such as Warblers. Orioles, Grosbeaks, and others we may find. Beginners and all levels welcome. No charge, but please register at ABDNHA Nature Center, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, phone number: 760-767-3098. Meet at ABDNHA at 7:50 a.m. Bring snacks, binoculars, water. Limit: 10.

Sunset and Moonrise at Font's Point
2026-05-01 18:30 - 20:30 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Leader: Mike McElhatton, ABDNHA Education Director
This has become an annual ABDNHA end-of-season program. We leave Borrego in time to be at Font’s Point when the sun sets, and we stay until the moon rises, and a little longer if we like. The sun sets at 7:28 p.m., and the moon rises at 7:53 p.m. Meet at ABDNHA parking lot at 6:15 p.m. Bring chairs, snacks to share, and a beverage of your choice. 4WD recommended. No charge, but space is limited and registration is required. Call the Nature Center at 760-767-3098 to reserve.

4WD Tour: Truckhaven Trail, 17 Palms, 5 Palms, Pumpkin Patch - MEMBERS PRIORITY TRIP
2026-04-26 09:00 - 14:00 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Leader: Todd Link, ABDNHA Volunteer
*** Level 4 Vehicle: 4WD (NO AWD) Higher Clearance REQUIRED due to deep sand, medium rocks, steep or uneven sections, or rough terrain – Vehicle must be in good condition with a full tank of gas ***
Join us for an off-road sightseeing adventure starting at ABDNHA. We’ll head East on S22, air down our tires on Truckhaven trail, and visit Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (ABDSP) and Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (OWSVRA) attractions. We’ll follow Truchaven trail to Tule Wash, stopping at 17 Palms and 5 Palms Oases. We’ll then break for lunch at Pumpkin Patch in OWSVRA, also accessed via Tule Wash. Afterwards, we’ll backtrack to ABDSP for a scenic drive to Vista Del Malpais via Basin Wash, with short segments on Cut-Across Trail and Fault Wash, then visit the vista point via Short Wash. At the vista, enjoy beautiful views of the Borrego Badlands and surrounding mountains, with time to explore the ridge trail. Finally, we’ll return to S-22 via Thimble wash and head back to ABDNHA.
Dress for the weather, bring a lot of water.
Trip lasts about 4.5 hours, depending on stops.
No charge, but space is limited (MEMBER PRIORITY TRIP)
Call 760-767-3098 or visit ABDNHA Nature Center to reserve.

Borrego Rock & Gem Club (BRAG) Meeting
2026-04-22 14:00 - 15:00, 2026-03-25 14:00 - 15:00
Like rocks? Join BRAG and meet other rockhounds!
The BRAG club meets every 4th Wed of the month in the Activity Room.
Note: In Nov & Dec, the meeting is on the 3rd Wed due to holidays.

4WD Tour: BBQ at the Calcite Mine - FULL (Waitlist)
2026-04-18 09:00 - 16:00 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Leader: Ed Pollock, ABDNHA Volunteer
*** THIS PROGRAM IS FULL – PLEASE CALL ABDNHA AT 760-767-3098 to get on waitlist ***
We meet at the ABDNHA parking lot at 9:00a.m., then drive Highway S22 to the Calcite Mine turnoff at South Palm Wash, just before the county line. At the bottom of the hill, there’s time for an optional guided hike into Palm Wash slot canyon – the site of Mike McElhatton’s popular full moon hikes. Afterward, we regroup and drive to historic Calcite Mine, a couple of uphill miles on a fairly easy dirt road, with some narrow shelf driving and sharp turns on this scenic route. At the mine, there’s time for individual exploration.
This is the last BBQ trip of the season. Meat and utensils are supplied. If you wish, bring a side dish to share and your own drinks. Camp chairs and small camp tables are helpful.
All properly functioning AWD vehicles are welcome; full gas tank and extra water are required.
After our meal, we regroup and return to Hwy S22, where the trip ends. We should be back in Borrego at 4 pm.
No charge. Call or visit ABDNHA Nature Center 760-767-3098 to reserve.

Hike: Volcan Mountain Preserve (Fairly Strenuous)
2026-04-18 08:00 - 12:00 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Leader: Rachel Rench, ABDNHA Volunteer
This hike is a 5.6-mile round trip with 1,300 feet of elevation gain. We’ll hike up the main trail to the summit, then take the Five Oaks Trail on the way down. This hike is rated Moderately Strenuous for hiking steep hills to the summit and rocky terrain on the Five Oaks Trail. Bring 1 to 2 liters of water and snacks. Wear comfortable hiking boots with good tread. Meet at ABDNHA by 7:50 a.m to arrange carpool. People driving from San Diego can meet us at Farmer’s Rd at the trailhead at 8:45. After the hike, we could stop for lunch in Julian before returning to Borrego Springs. Call 760-767-3098 or come in to reserve. No charge. Max 15 people.

Webinar: Rattlesnakes of Anza-Borrego
2026-04-16 18:30 - 19:30 | Zoom
Eric Dugan, Herpetologist
In this webinar, Eric Dugan will describe the rattlesnakes found in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, with information about the habitats where each of them exists. He will also talk about a dietary study he has been working on for the past ten years. No charge, but donations are welcome.
Register here for the webinar.

Borrego Birders Weekly Walk (Easy)
2026-04-13 08:00 - 10:00 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Co-Leaders: Hal Cohen and Jonathan Berman
Go birding around town with local birders. This week, we’ll visit the hawkwatch morning site, since the hawkwatch is not officially over until April 15. Then, we’ll continue our search for other spring migrants, such as Warblers. Orioles, Grosbeaks, and others we may find. Beginners and all levels welcome. No charge, but please register at ABDNHA Nature Center, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, phone number: 760-767-3098. Meet at ABDNHA at 7:50 a.m. Bring snacks, binoculars, water. Limit: 10.

ABDNHA Friendly Friday Bike Ride
2026-04-10 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-03 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-27 10:00 - 12:00
Leader: Paul Petersen, ABDNHA Volunteer.
Relaxed social ride of 20-30 miles, mostly flat, at a 10-12 mph pace. Routes vary weekly, and fun rides to highlight the roads less traveled. Return times vary depending on the chosen route. FREE, every Friday. No registration required. Meet in the parking lot opposite the County Public Library.

Poetry in the ABDNHA Desert Garden
2026-04-08 09:30 - 11:00, 2026-04-01 09:30 - 11:00 | ABDNHA Desert Garden, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, 92004, United States
Leader: Amy Brewster
Join writer/naturalist Amy Brewster in the lovely ABDNHA garden for 90 minutes of poetry or prose. Bring your own writing, or a piece from an author you love. Nature poems are much appreciated. Bring a chair, a hat, and water. Limit: 10. No charge. Call the Nature Center or come in to reserve: 760-767-3098.

4WD Tour: Rodriguez Spur Truck Trail
2026-04-08 09:00 - 13:00 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Leader: Dave Walters, ABDNHA Volunteer
We meet at the ABDNHA parking lot at 9:00a.m., then caravan to Box Canyon. We enter the trail at Vallecito Wash (elevation 2200 ft). We continue to Rodriguez Spur Truck Trail and begin driving up the canyon between Chariot Mountain and Granite Mountain. We enter the historic Julian District gold mining area at elevation 3500 ft. Turning onto Chariot Canyon Trail, we continue until we reach Highway 78 at the Banner Store. Total 9 trail miles. Bring water, snacks and weather-appropriate clothing. We will be using GRMS Radio channel 15. No charge. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.

Borrego Rock & Gem Club (BRAG) Field Trip
2026-04-08
Like rocks? Join BRAG and meet other rockhounds!
The BRAG club field trip is every 2nd Wed, meeting in the ABDNHA parking lot.
Note: Field trips may start at 8:00 am or 9:00 am, depending on the destination. We usually try to get back to Borrego around 3:00 pm.

BRAG: Borrego ROCKS!
2026-04-04 10:00 - 13:00 | ABDNHA Visitor Plaza, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, 92004, United States
The Borrego Rock and Gem (BRAG) Club will be hosting a demonstration event in the Visitor Plaza just outside of the Nature Center. Come see BRAG members cut geodes, demonstrate lapidary work, display rocks that are local to Southern California, and answer questions about local rockhounding. Each visitor gets to select a free rock to take home! Geodes, patches and stickers will be available for sale. Free; no registration required.

Full Moon Walk: South Palm Wash (Easy)
2026-04-01 19:30 - 22:00 | ABDNHA Library, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Leader: Mike McElhatton, ABDNHA Education Director
Join ABDNHA’s Program Director Mike McElhatton on this month’s Full Moon Walk in South Palm Wash. Experience the unique and serene beauty of moonlight on the canyon walls as we take a 1.2-mile walk through South Palm Wash. Mostly a fairly easy to moderate walk, with a few moderate areas that require “big steps” on inclines. We meet at the ABDNHA Library and carpool from there. A flashlight, water, and good hiking shoes are required. Limit 22. Activity cancels if cloud cover limits the moonlight. No charge. Call the Nature Center at 760-767-3098 to reserve.

Botany Club Meeting
2026-03-29 13:00 - 14:30 | ABDNHA Library, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Leader: Don Rideout
Due to extreme heat, the group will have an door meeting. Don will give a Powerpoint talk about desert lilies including updates from this season.

ABDNHA Desert Lecture Series: Bobcats in the Neighborhood
2026-03-28 19:00 - 20:00 | Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center, 590 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Speaker: Andy Blue
Andy Blue discusses a fascinating animal, the bobcat, found both in the wild and in our semi-rural community of Borrego Springs. Although bobcats are more numerous than many realize, they are more secretive than their fellow upper-tier predator, the coyote.
Andy has been a powerhouse in the zoological community for many years, working in Russia, Ukraine, Iraq, Cuba, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. He started at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park at age 16 and became a curator. He has served as Zoological Manager at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and as director of the Ramona Wildlife Center. Currently, he is the Campus Director at the San Diego Humane Society. The highlight of his job is returning rehabilitated animals to the wild. General Public: $10 at the door; Members: no charge. Seating is first-come, first-served.

Hike: Exploring Coyote Canyon - CANCELLED
2026-03-28 08:30 - 12:00 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Leader: Marlin Burke, Naturalist Volunteer
*** HIKE IS CANCELLED DUE TO EXTREME HEAT ***
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.

Program: The Trail Less Traveled - Baja
2026-03-27 18:30 - 19:30 | ABDNHA Library, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Speaker: Alan Ehrgott
Author Alan Ehrgott’s (The Elusive Conquest of Queen Califa) fascination with Baja started in the 1970s when he hiked the entire 1050 mile length of the peninsula, following a mix of the Camino Real, the old route established by the Spanish that led from mission to mission, as well as the far more rugged route through Baja’s mountains, where isolated ranches continue to exist today. While things are far more developed along the heavily travelled Mexico Highway 1, life in the isolated ranches have changed far less. In his presentation, Alan shows parts of his original journey, and tells the story of the natural and cultural history of Baja, including the existential conflict between native tribes, Spanish conquistadors and Jesuit Priests, and he highlights points of interest such as the UNESCO Indigenous giant rock murals in the Sierra San Francisco. In the ABDNHA library. Register online or call 760-767-3098. GP $12, M $10, V $8.
Register here for the program.

4WD Tour: Gas Domes–Shell Reef–Pumpkin Patch–OWSVRA (Members Priority)
2026-03-26 08:30 - 15:30 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Leader: Jim Torian, ABDNHA Volunteer
Level 4 – 4WD Higher Clearance
We will explore points of interest in the Ocotillo Wells SVRA and ABDSP. Meet at the ABDNHA parking lot by 8:30 a.m. for a briefing before caravanning to Pole Line Road off SR 78, where we air down and begin our journey. Restrooms are available here, as well as our lunch spot at the Pumpkin Patch. We will wind our way north and west through the SVRA. There are 6 features on our route, and we will stop at as many as we have time for, including the artesian well, gas domes, Shell Reef, Pumpkin Patch, 5 Palms, and 17 Palms Oasis. Our trip ends when we exit the park at Arroyo Salado at S22, 17 miles east of Borrego Springs. Road conditions vary from hardpan and washboard to mildly rocky, to some easy hills and soft sandy washes. We will cover about 28 miles with a total elevation gain of about 880 feet. Lunch is BYO. 4WD only and a full tank of gas. GMRS channel 15 is optional. Check the weather and dress accordingly. No fee. Space is limited. Call to reserve 760-767-3098.

Poetry in the ABDNHA Desert Garden
2026-03-24 10:00 - 11:15 | ABDNHA Parking Lot, 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA, 92004, United States
Leader: Amy Brewster
Join writer/naturalist Amy Brewster in the lovely ABDNHA garden for an hour of poetry or prose. Bring your own writing or a piece by an author you love. Amy encourages you to bring writing about the beauty of wild places, especially the desert. 12 people max. No charge. Call 760-767-3098 to reserve.

Hike: Golden Mine Shuttle (Fairly easy)
2026-03-24 08:30 - 12:00
Leader: Robin Halford, ABDNHA Volunteer
Most of the walking will be on trails- Mason Valley Truck Trail, and the California Riding and Hiking Trail – with a small amount of bushwhacking to the mine. This 5.9-mile hike offers a nice view of Lake Cuyamaca. The hike starts in ABDSP and finishes in Rancho Cuyamaca SP. Bring lunch/snack, hat, water, and good shoes. Limit 10. Call or stop by to reserve: 760-767-3098. No charge.
Driving instructions to meeting point: From Hwy 78 in Julian, drive South on Hwy 79 for 5.8 miles and turn left onto S1 (Sunrise Hwy). Drive 1.6 miles and turn left into the pullout for Fages Monument. We will carpool/shuttle from here to the beginning of the hike. The drive is on paved roads and ok for 2WD. This is a shuttle; all drivers must be willing to take extra passengers. Check the weather; it will be colder than the desert.
