Road Conditions

Dirt Road Conditions

PARK MAP 

Anza-Borrego Desert SP boasts over 500 miles of established dirt roads, and auto-touring is among the most popular activities in the park. Conditions are current as of last revision date but may change rapidly based on numerous factors, including weather and visitation. Information is provided as a guide only and park visitors are encouraged to drive with due regard for their safety at all times. Driving on unimproved, established roadways in a desert environment is not typically covered in most driver's education courses, and motorists are encouraged to seek out 4x4 driving courses prior to exploring unpaved roadways. Many roadways involve traversing washes with deep sand and require 4x4 only with the capacity to air down tires. Motorists should be prepared to self-rescue with a shovel, tow strap, and tire pressure gage, and always carry sufficient fuel, water, and food. Call 9-1-1 in case of emergency, and be prepared to provide GPS coordinates.

 

Updated 10/03/2024

 

 Road Name

 2WD

 4WD

 Good

 Poor

 Closed

Comments 
 

Coyote Canyon

           High-clearance
 To Desert Garden  X        

 

High clearance needed for Turkey Track Grade

  
Desert Garden to Bypass Road  CLOSED        X
 Bypass Road  CLOSED        X
 Collins Valley  CLOSED        X
 Turkey Track Grade    X      

 Borrego Badlands

 Rockhouse Canyon

            
 Font's Point Wash    X    X   Deep sand, difficult to traverse  in the S-curves even with 4x4.  
 Inspiration Wash    X    X   Sandy entrance then narrow switchbacks requiring high clearance.
Thimble/Short/Ella Washes    X    X   Sand/large ruts, rock, high clearance needed.
Hills of the Moon Wash    X    X   Sand, high clearance needed for switchbacks.
Palo Verde Wash    X    X   Deep sand, rocks.
Arroyo Salado to 17 Palms    X    X  

Soft sand starting at primitive camp, rocky, high clearance needed. 
Coachwhip    X    X   Deep soft sand at entrance, sand & rock throughout.
Palm Wash    X   X  

Sand, rock, high clearance needed.
Truckhaven south of S22    X    X   Rocky & rutted.

Rockhouse/Butler Canyons

 SEE COMMENT  X   X  

2WD ok first mile, sandy shoulders & rocky, high clearance needed starting at the intersection of Rockhouse & Butler.
Truckhaven north of S22    X    X   Sandy, one rut crossing requires high clearance.

Culp Valley; Yaqui Well

            
Culp Valley Campground  X    X     Upper road is rutted, lower OK
Old Culp Valley Road    X    X   Rutted, high clearance needed.
Jasper Trail  SEE COMMENT  X   X   2WD ok first ½ mile, 4x4 recommended for steep drop with loose earth & rock.
Grapevine Canyon    X   X   High clearance needed, rock.
Yaqui Well    X    X   Soft sand to Yaqui Well.
Plum Canyon  SEE COMMENT    X     Some areas ok for 2WD, sand & rock.
Lizard Wash   X    X   High clearance, rock & sand.
Pinyon Wash   X   X  

Deep soft sand & rock.
Nolina Wash   X  X     Sand & rock.
Quartz Vein   X  X     Soft sand & rock.
Nude Wash   X X     Soft sand.
Mine Wash to Village Site  X    X     First ½ mile ok for 2WD, mix of hard pack earth & rock.
Mine Wash Past Village Site   X   X   Soft sand & rock.

Blair Valley

            

Blair Valley

 

 SEE COMMENT

 

X

 

 

 

 X

  

First ½ mile of camps ok for 2WD, then sandy. 
Pinyon Mountain Road   X   X  

Hard compact earth at beginning, then sand & large rocks; high clearance vehicle necessary at the Pinyon Drop Off (“Squeeze”) for boulders; one way travel only.
Oriflamme/Rodriquez Canyons   X   X   Ruts, deep sand, very rocky & bouldery.

Borrego Buttes & Fish Creek

            
Buttes Pass Road to The Slot

X

   X     Sand & washboard.
Buttes Pass Road to Hawk Canyon   X X     Deep sand near entrance.
San Felipe Wash   X   X   Sandy with rock.  
Goat Trail   X  X     Steep areas, washboard.
Old Kane Springs Road   X   X   Rough, sandy, rocky.
Elephant Tree Trail Road  X   X     Rocky.
Fish Creek to Wind Caves Trail   X   X  

Rough, sand, rocks & boulders.
Split Mountain to Olla Wash   X   X   Rough, rocks & sand.
Lycium Wash   X   X   High clearance needed, rocky.
Oyster Shell Wash   X   X   High clearance needed, rocky.
North Fork Fish Creek   X       Closed at Mollusk Wash.

Sandstone Canyon

 SEE COMMENT X    X   Narrow, sand, rock, obey road end.
Olla Wash   X    X   Soft sand & rock.
Blow Sand Canyon   X   X   Very deep sand.
Borrego Mountain Wash   X    X   Steep drop-off, sandy, large dips, high clearance needed.
Borrego Sink Wash   X   X   Deep sand and mud.

Bow Willow Area

            

Arroyo Tapiado /Arroyo Seco del Diablo

   X   X

 

Mud, fresh slides; high clearance vehicle needed for Diablo Drop Off into Fish Creek; One-way only.
Vallecito Wash/Palm Spring  SEE COMMENT X   X  

Washouts, rocky, sandy

Closed~7.7 mi from S2.
Bow Willow Camp    X  X    

Sandy.
Mountain Palm Springs   X   X     Sandy.
Indian Gorge   X   X   Rocky, high clearance needed.
Indian Valley   X   X    Rocky, high clearance needed.
Carrizo Canyon   X   X   Soft sand & rock further down.
Bow Willow Wash Road   X   X   Deep soft sand; Closed~4.7 miles from S2.
South Carrizo Creek Road   X   X   Deep soft sand.
Canyon Sin Nombre   X   X   Soft sand, rocky, high clearance needed.
Mortero / Jojoba Washes   X    X   Sandy, rocky, high clearance needed.
Hayden Spring Foot Traffic Only     X  Foot traffic only to preserve sensitive habitat.
Carrizo Marsh Area Closed     X Closed by Supterintendent's Order
Sweeny Pass X     X   Deep sand & ruts.