ANZA BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK, BORREGO SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA

Our Opinion: Rave.  Reasonably priced, convenient RV campsites in California’s largest state park.

Date of Stay: February 27 and 28, 2011.  Not recommended in summer!

Weather During Stay:  Sunny, mild days; cold nights.

Site Description:  This review applies specifically to the section of the campground designed for RV’s, sites 1-52.  Roomier, no-hookup sites are available in other sections of the campground, and in other sections of this huge state park.

The RV sites are all FHU, with 30 amps.  Voltage and water pressure are good.  With the exception of 10 “pullout” sites along the edge of the perimeter road, all sites are designed as long, paved pull-throughs.  Each as a substantial picnic table and some desert landscaping.
We were in site 39.  Though the reservations clerk and the Reserve America site (which California state parks use for their reservation system) showed our site as suitable for a rig no longer than 35 feet, we had PLENTY of space for our motor home and Jeep.
Roads are paved and easy to navigate in a big rig.  Though most sites appeared reasonably level, there are some that would be challenging for a big motor home, with considerable front-to-back slope.

Rate:  $35/night for FHU.  14-day limit.  Reservations strongly suggested for weekends during high season (Jan-March), but sites appeared to be available without reservations early in the day on weekdays.

Phone/radio/TV:  Strong Verizon signal here for both phones and aircard.  WiFi is available at the visitor center, a half mile walk.  Our site had no obstacles for our roof-mounted satellite TV dish.  Air antenna had a couple of stations.  NPR on 89.3.

Elevation/landscape/terrain:  Anza-Borrego is California’s largest state park, a landscape of arid mountains and cactus.  Great views of the desert!  Elevation in the campground is 600 ft. or so.
Lighting/noise:  Very dark and quiet at night.

Favorite Sites: We like the sites on the northern edge of the campground, but there is not much difference in the pull-through sites - unless yours happens to directly face the restrooms or one of the pullout sites along the perimeter road.  We would NOT take or reserve a perimeter pull-out; the ones we saw were not suitable for big rigs (24-29 and 49-52).

Hiking/Walking: Walk a paved trail .6 mile to the Visitor Center, or head off to the west up Palm Canyon on either the Palm Canyon trail or the Alternate Trail.  A short overlook trail also leaves from the campground area.  Wonderful hiking with a chance to spot Bighorn Sheep (Borrego).

Comments:  The state park staff here was unusually friendly and accommodating, allowing us check in early since the site was empty, and to drive our Jeep in (rather than towing it in) without charging us a separate day use fee for the Jeep (it is surprising how many places are sticklers about that!).  Wish we had been able to stay longer.