Short walks (under 2 miles)
Borrego Palm Canyon Oasis. 3 miles round-trip from the state-park visitor center. Native fan palms, a year-round creek, sometimes bighorn sheep.
Pictograph Trail. 2 miles round-trip to a panel of rock art painted by the Kumeyaay people 500+ years ago.
Elephant Tree Discovery Loop. A 1-mile loop through one of the only stands of elephant trees in the United States.
Half-day hikes (3–6 miles)
Hellhole Canyon. 6 miles round-trip. Riparian palm canyon with a waterfall called Maidenhair Falls at the end.
Calcite Mine. 4 miles round-trip through dramatic slot canyon segments and an old WWII-era optical-quality calcite mine.
Wind Caves. 1-mile spur off Split Mountain Road through wind-carved sandstone caves big enough to stand in.
Full-day routes (7+ miles)
Rainbow Basin via Villager Peak. 13 miles, 5,000+ feet of gain. Solitude, bighorn habitat, panoramic ridgelines.
Coyote Canyon. A historic Anza expedition route. Pick a turnaround based on time — the deeper you go, the more remote it gets.
Hike-by-vehicle
Font's Point. A 4-mile sandy track ends at a stunning overlook of the Borrego Badlands. High-clearance recommended; walking the last mile is also great.
The Slot. 30 minutes of car to reach a 15-minute hike through one of California's most photogenic slot canyons. See the slot canyon guide.
Stay the night
Moonlight Oasis is a 3-bedroom dark-sky residence in Borrego Springs. Sleeps 13.
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