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.
Hike: Smugglers’ Canyon Overlook & Pictographs (Moderate) – FULL (waitlist)
ABDNHA Parking Lot 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego SpringsWeek of Events
Sunday, February 8, 2026
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February 8, 2026 -Hike: Borrego Badlands, The Trifecta (Moderate to Strenuous)
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February 8, 2026 -Hike: The Bench (Moderate)
Hike: Borrego Badlands, The Trifecta (Moderate to Strenuous)
Leaders: Sanjiv Nanda and Alan Parks
Join us on this moderate seven-mile loop hike as we experience badlands vistas from three iconic Borrego Badlands viewpoints: The Bench, Font's Point, and Inspiration Point. As a bonus, we will examine a prominence that Bill Sullivan dubbed Pointed Hill and contemplate routes to the top. The hike route is cross-country and through lightly trodden washes around Font’s Wash and Inspiration Wash. There are a couple of short scrambles. Bring water, snacks, and lunch. Meet at 8:00 am at the entrance to Inspiration Wash (S22 mile 28.4, 9.2 miles east of Christmas Circle) from where we will carpool in 4WD/AWD vehicles a short distance to the start of the hike. Max: 22. No charge; call or stop by the Nature Center to reserve, 760-767-3098.
Hike: The Bench (Moderate)
Leader: Kathy Bussey, ABDNHA Volunteer
Surround yourself with the natural beauty of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Clark Dry Lake, and the Borrego Badlands on this easy 2.5-mile round-trip hike. We will drive up Inspiration Wash, then hike up an unnamed wash to the man-made memorial bench for a 360-degree view. It is an easy hike, except for the final short ascent up a sandy wash to the bench. AWD or 4WD OK. Meet at ABDNHA to carpool. No charge; call or stop by the Nature Center to reserve.
Monday, February 9, 2026
No events on this day.
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
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February 10, 2026 -Plant Amble (Easy)
Plant Amble (Easy)
Leader: Pam Blake, ABDNHA Volunteer
This is a variation on Pam’s ambles, focused on plants. We will enjoy a stroll through the desert, discussing different plant adaptations to living in this challenging environment. Meet at the ABDNHA parking lot at 9:30 am, and be back before noon after a relatively short, easy walk. Call the Nature Center to reserve, 760-767-3098. Activity repeats 2nd Tuesday of the month.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
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February 11, 2026 -4WD Tour: Canyon Sin Nombre-Diablo Dropoff-Fish Creek (MEMBERS PRIORITY) – FULL (waitlist)
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
Thursday, February 12, 2026
No events on this day.
Friday, February 13, 2026
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February 13, 2026 -ABDNHA Friendly Friday Bike Ride
ABDNHA Friendly Friday Bike Ride
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. […]
Saturday, February 14, 2026
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February 14, 2026 -Hike: Smugglers’ Canyon Overlook & Pictographs (Moderate) – FULL (waitlist)
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February 14, 2026 -Hike: Exploring Coyote Canyon
Hike: Smugglers’ Canyon Overlook & Pictographs (Moderate) – FULL (waitlist)
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
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.