Click here for info on hiker safety rules and our hike ratings.
Hike with Birding: Big Laguna Lake – FULL (Wait List)
ABDNHA Parking Lot 652 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego SpringsBiking: ABDNHA Friendly Friday Bike Ride (Every Friday)
Borrego Springs Library 2580 Country Club Rd, Borrego SpringsWeek of Events
Sunday, November 29, 2026
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November 29, 2026 -Hike: Smugglers Canyon – FULL (Wait List)
Hike: Smugglers Canyon – FULL (Wait List)
Leaders: Tom Keffer and Lee Christie, ABDNHA Volunteers
This hike is FULL - please call ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on the wait list.
Starting in Little Blair Valley, this fairly easy hike leads us past ancient Kumeyaay rock art and historic mortars to a dramatic dry waterfall with sweeping views of Earthquake Valley below. Three miles round-trip, with 400’ elevation gain, good tread with some rubble. Travel time: one hour each way. Not suitable for passenger cars, but okay for modest SUVs. Meet at ABDNHA parking lot by 7:50 a.m. Bring lunch/snacks, water. No charge, but registration required. Register at the Nature Center or 760-767-3098. Maximum 10 participants.
Monday, November 30, 2026
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November 30, 2026 -Hike: Volcan Mountain
Hike: Volcan Mountain
Leader: Rachel Rench, ABDNHA Volunteer
This strenuous 5.3-mile hike follows the main trail to Volcan Mountain Summit, with stops at points of interest. After circling to the top, we'll return via the steep, rocky Five Oaks Trail. Expect to finish around noon and return to Borrego Springs by 1 p.m. Bring lunch if you'd like to stay up in Julian and visit Volcan Mountain Winery. No charge. Register at the Nature Center or 760-767-3098.
Note: Meet at 8 a.m. at ABDNHA parking lot, or at 8:45 a.m. at the Volcan Mountain trailhead (two miles from the town of Julian off Farmer Rd.). Consult a map if unsure of the location.
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
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December 1, 2026 -Hike: Red Hill Loop
Hike: Red Hill Loop
Leader: Terri Straub, ABDNHA Volunteer
This strenuous hike is six miles, with a 700’ elevation gain. The red that we see along this hike is volcanic rock scattered everywhere! Mostly a moderate hike, but with a steep ascent and descent near the top. One-hour drive to trailhead. All vehicles suitable. Maximum 15 participants. Meet at ABDNHA by 7:50 a.m. Bring snacks, lunch, water. No charge, but registration required. Call or visit the Nature Center at 760-767-3098 to reserve.
Wednesday, December 2, 2026
No events on this day.
Thursday, December 3, 2026
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December 3, 2026 -Hike with Birding: Big Laguna Lake – FULL (Wait List)
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December 3, 2026 -Nature Journaling
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December 3, 2026 -4WD Tour: Olla Wash – FULL (Wait List)
Hike with Birding: Big Laguna Lake – FULL (Wait List)
Leaders: Tom Keffer and Lee Christie, ABDNHA Volunteers
This hike is FULL - please call ABDNHA at 760-767-3098 to get on the wait list.
A lake in the mountains seems like an unlikely place to see birds, but it will delight and surprise you. We’ll look for Pygmy and White-Breasted Nuthatch, Cinnamon Teal, Shovelers, Canvasback, and birds of prey. A fairly easy four miles round-trip, with a 120’ gain in elevation, good tread. Travel time 1-¼ hour each way. Meet at ABDNHA by 7:50 a.m. Bring lunch/snacks, binoculars, water. No charge; registration required; call or visit the Nature Center at 760-767-3098. Maximum 10 participants.
Note: Park fee $5, payable at the entrance.
Nature Journaling
Leaders: Selden McKee and Pat Matthews, ABDNHA Volunteers
Start nature journaling in the ABDNHA Desert Garden! No experience needed, just curiosity about the natural world. Bring a small journal, pencils, and your preferred pens, colored pencils, or watercolor set. Remember a chair, sun hat, water, and snacks for the outdoor activity. Held on the first Thursday of each month in the ABDNHA Desert Garden and nearby areas. Meet in the ABDNHA parking lot. Free; register at the Nature Center at 760-767-3098.
4WD Tour: Olla Wash – FULL (Wait List)
** We have reached the vehicle limit, but there may still spaces available for passengers. **
Leader: Dave Walters, ABDNHA Volunteer
Meet at the ABDNHA parking lot at 9 a.m. We will drive together to the Fish Creek trailhead. From there, we will drive 12.8 miles to the entrance of Olla Wash, then continue 1.3 miles into the wash to park and have lunch. There will also be time to walk 0.7 miles to the Mud Palisades. After lunch, we will return to Split Mountain Rd. the same way we came. Bring food, water, a chair, and a hat, and wear appropriate clothing. To reserve your place, call or visit the Nature Center at 760-767-3098. Because of the small group size, ABDNHA Members have priority on 4WD trips. We invite you to join today!
Note: Level 4; short-wheelbase vehicles only. We will use two-way radios on GMRS Channel 15 to communicate.
Friday, December 4, 2026
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December 4, 2026 -Biking: ABDNHA Friendly Friday Bike Ride (Every Friday)
Biking: ABDNHA Friendly Friday Bike Ride (Every Friday)
Leader: Paul Petersen, ABDNHA Volunteer
Relaxed social ride of 20-30 mostly flat miles at a 10-12 mph pace. Routes will vary weekly; fun rides to highlight the roads less traveled. Return time will vary with the route chosen. No charge, and no registration required. Meet in the parking lot opposite the public County Library’s south entrance.
Saturday, December 5, 2026
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December 5, 2026 -Hike: The Bench – FULL (Wait List)
Hike: The Bench – FULL (Wait List)
Leader: Kathy Bussey, ABDNHA Volunteer
This hike is FULL, please contact us at 760-767-3098 to get on the wait list.
This is an easy to moderate 2.3-mile round-trip hike. Enjoy views of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Clark Dry Lake, and Borrego Badlands. We’ll drive up Inspiration Wash, then hike up a wash to a memorial rock bench for a 360-degree desert view. Mostly easy, with a short, steep, sandy climb near the end. 4WD/AWD required or carpool. Meet at the ABDNHA parking lot. No charge, but call or visit the Nature Center (760-767-3098) to register.