ABDNHA Publications
You may be surprised to learn that ABDNHA has published numerous books and brochures about the desert!
ABDNHA also prints The Sand Paper member newsletter five times a year and sends out the Desert Update email every other Sunday.
Books
Here is a list of all of the books on Anza-Borrego that were published by ABDNHA. Most of these books can be purchased in the Desert Nature Center.
A few titles are currently out of print, but check our Desert Classics shelf in the Desert Nature Center to see if we have the one you are looking for.
- Anza-Borrego Desert Guide Book, by Horace Parker, revised by George & Jean Leetch, 1979 – out of print
- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, by Paul R. Johnson, 1982, 1992 – out of print
- Old-Time Cattlemen and Other Pioneers of the Anza-Borrego Region, Borrego Desert Heritage Series, Volume 1, by Lester Reed, 1986, 2004
- Weekender’s Guide: Points of Interest and Walks Along the Roads Of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, by Paul R. Johnson, 1987, 1992, 1999, 2008
- The Forgotten Artist: Indians of Anza-Borrego and Their Rock Art, by Manfred Knaak, 1988 – out of print
- Cacti, Shrubs & Trees of Anza-Borrego, Paul R. Johnson, 1990, 1991
- Desert Watch or a Bird, Beast, Bloom or Bug for All Seasons, by Frances Brainerd, 1990
- Recent Military Operations in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, by F. Lew Orrell, 1991, 2004
- Plants of Anza-Borrego Desert, by D. Clemons, 1992 – out of print
- Anza-Borrego Desert Natural History Association, the Golden Years, 1971-1980, by Lee Papkoff, 1996
- Guide to Birds of Anza-Borrego Desert, by Barbara W. Massey, 1998
- Borrego Beginnings, Early Days in the Borrego Valley 1910-1960, Borrego Desert Heritage Series, Volume 2, by Phil Brigandi, 2001
- Hiking in Anza-Borrego Desert, Volume 1: Over 100 Half-Day Hikes, by Robin Halford, 2005, 2011
- Hiking in Anza-Borrego Desert, Volume 2: Over 200 New Half-Day Hikes, by Robin Halford, 2012
- Hiking in Anza-Borrego Desert, Volume 3, Over 205 Half-Day Hikes to Survey Marks, by Robin Halford, 2019
- Amphibians & Reptiles of the Anza-Borrego Desert Region: A Photographic Field Guide, by Lee Grismer, 2025
Brochures
Here is a list of the brochures published by ABDNHA. Most are free, and all are available in the Desert Nature Center.
- Checklist of Birds, Mammals, Reptiles of Anza-Borrego Desert, 1986, 1993, 1996, 2004
- Erosion Road (self-guided auto tour), 1989, 2009
- Wildflowers of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2007
- Southern Emigrant Trail (self-guided auto tour), 1994
- Narrows Earth Trail (self-guided trail), 1994
- Triangle Tour: Texas Dip, Highway 78, Yaqui Pass, (self-guided auto tour), ????
- Split Mountain Gorge (self-guided auto tour), 2017
- Downtown History Loop (self-guided walking tour), 2021
- Borrego Church Loop (self-guided walking tour), 2021
- Discover the Agricultural History of Borrego Springs (self-guided auto or cycling tour), 2021
The Sand Paper
ABDNHA has been publishing The Sand Paper, a member newsletter, from 1971 to present day. ABDNHA members receive this newsletter five times a year. It includes articles about the desert as well as the calendar of programs and events offered by ABDNHA each season.
Click here for more information about The Sand Paper and to read selected articles.
Click here to join ABDNHA and become a member.
Desert Update Emails
ABDNHA started sending out Desert Update emails in 2020 to members and anyone who wants to stay in touch with the desert. The emails include lots of photos, fun facts, upcoming programs and events, gift ideas and more!
Click here for more information about the Desert Update emails and to view past emails.
Click here to sign up for the Desert Update emails.