From flat desert trails to steep climbs and fine sand hills mini dunes, you are sure to find what you are looking for. With more than 85,000 acres and varied types of desert terrain, the ocotillo wells svra provides interesting and unique opportunities for all types of offroad riders. Camping is free and entrance to the state park is free. The name became official in 1962 when it was adopted for federal use by the board on geographic names.
Pumpkin patch anza borrego desert state park, ca that. The borrego badlands fonts point anza borrego desert state park has seven unique areas and more than 600,000 acres of parkland that you can explore. The gas domes are located in the ocotillo wells state vehicular recreation area which is next to anzaborrego desert state park. The geology of ocotillo wells is not only fascinating, it tells a story five million years in the making. The ultimate off road guide to ocotillo wells berts. The old desert lodge was a simple adobe house built at the burks ranch in 1937. More than 80,000 acres of magnificent desert are open for offhighway exploration and recreation within the boundaries portrayed on the park map are operated by california state parks. The ocotillo wells svra is operated by california state parks, ohmvr division, located approximately 1. With over 80,000 aces and large stretches of blm land to the south and east, there is plenty to see and vast desert trails that you can ride. Here in ocotillo wells, sd motor sport rentals are pleased to bring their friendly and knowledgeable ocotillo wells atv rentals to locals and visitors alike while visiting ocotillo wells, youll never be at a loss for something to do, this community offers outdoor and offroad enthusiasts a state vehicle recreation area operated by the california department of parks and recreation. Explore some of the many points of interest like pole line road, pumpkin patch, shell reef or blow sand hill. I found a place called the pumpkin patch, in ocotillo wells, where round rocks littered the ground as if it were really a pumpkin patch.
Some of the most unusual terrain in the county is within hiking distance of the airport. Pumpkin patch and be wowed by their bizzare shapes and sizes. Wind erosion has blown away the lands surface to reveal the unique pumpkin shaped. A federally recognized variant name, ocotillo, can cause confusion. Open camping is permitted throughout the unit for up to 30 days per calendar year. Imperial county, desert, california, united states, north america latitude. Borrego badlands between s22 and 78 anzaborrego desert.
The ride leaves camp and crosses open desert to bank wash. The 5 best things to do in ocotillo 2020 with photos. The borrego badlands, arroyo salado and parts of the ocotillo wells svra. A map of these locations as well as numerous other trails is available at the ranger.
Theres a ton of geological action at work in ocotillo wells, such as the active gas domes, the odd pumpkinshaped formations in the pumpkin patch, and the oyster shells at shell reef. Camping is not permitted at shell reef, devils slide, blowsand hill, the notches, or 4x4 training areas. Borrego springs is a tiny little town of a little over 3500 desertdwelling people in the middle of the anzaborrego desert state park. The name pumpkin patch is due to the sites unique structures called concretions that resemble a pumpkin patch in shape, size and distribution. Desert magazine first published an article about the pumpkin patch in 1970, showing a black and white picture of its concretions.
The trail is primarily used for camping and ohvoff road driving and is best used from november until march. The borrego badlands in anzaborrego desert state park. Located just east of the anzaborrego state park boundary is a unique geologic phenomenon known as the pumpkin patch. Welcome to the ocotillo wells state vehicular recreation area. Outside the boundaries, to the south and east, large tracts of blm land u. We took the opportunity to explore the amazing ocotillo wells area. Open camping is available throughout the park for up to 30 days per calendar year. While the pumpkin patch is the most elegant example of these formations, concretions can be found in many areas of ocotillo wells and anzaborrego desert state park. For other routes, refer to a map of ocotillo wells svra.
Coronavirus hospitalizations continue decline in riverside county. Pumpkin patch ohv trail is a 7 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near borrego springs, california and is rated as moderate. And there are even educational opportunities within the park. Desert land for sale ocotillo wells, ca san diego county. There are several ways to get to gas domes but the easiest and most direct way is by taking our route which starts at the junction of hwy 78 and pole line road. Operated by california state parks, it is an approximately 1. Its 2 hours from san diego and 90 minutes from palm springs. Ocotillo wells is an unincorporated community in san diego county, california. Check flight prices and hotel availability for your visit. You wont be taking home a pumpkin from this patch the. If you are looking for the ultimate offroad experience then ocotillo wells is the place for you. Position your mouse over the map and use your mousewheel to zoom in or out. In the desert, pumpkin patch, anza borrego desert state. Weve listed the coordinates for the actual pumpkin patch and 3 different entrances above.
Over square miles of desert are open for offhighway exploration. Pumpkin patch near anzaborrego fleet science center. Head to the gas domes and check out gas bubbles rising up from deep beneath the surface of the earth. The surrounding desert terrain is very consistent, with its soft rolling sandy hills covered with creosote bushes. The inhabitants call their little slice of paradise californias secret desert and after spending 3 weeks there, i would have to say that i. Ocotillo wells state vehicular park is due west of the airport and has more than 42,000 acres of desert landscape. Ocotillo wells is the perfect location to enjoy your motorcycle, quad, buggy, jeep, truck or. Take the s22 to the arroyo salado primitive campground turnoff and take the arroyo salado wash for approx. Also referred to as anzaborrego desert, borrego springs and by the parks common points of interest including pole line road, pumpkin patch, shell reef and blow sand hill. For hiking the svra should be avoided in the weekends as its rather dangerous and because of the high amount of fine dust. Our mission location ocotillo wells svra is located between anza borrego state park on the west and the salton sea on the east. Please help preserve the pumpkin patch and the nearby ridges of ocotillo wells state vehicular recreation area where new pumpkinsize desert pearls are emerging.
I am going out again this weekend to do more riding. Ocotillo wells atv rentals san diego motor sport rentals. Weve been camping and offroading in ocotillo wells for the past five years, and we love it so much that we normally make the trek at least 23 times each season. Amie and i were invited by polaris adventures to head down to ocotillo wells for a half day of offroading at ironwoods offroad. Dont use the coordinates for the pumpkin patch on your gps, it wont be able to take you there. It is fed with new sand from the sweeping winds across the desert, which in turn continuously reshapes and rebuilds the hill from riders during the year. Here, youll find a patch of land, roughly the size of an average city block, covered with sphericallyshaped rocks that are all the size of an average pumpkin.
It turns on pumpkin patch trail and winds to pumpkin patch. This is the area in between the s22 and highway 78, this area includes. Pumpkin patch anzaborrego backroadswest trips blog. It is a real long haul, about one hour from the nearest pavement. The pumpkin patch is located just east of anza borrego desert state park boundary, in the ocotillo wells srva.
If you enjoy heading out to the san diego desert to ride motorcycles, atvs, jeeps, offroading, dune buggies and playing in the sand this is an incredible value lot for you. The rangers and staff of ocotillo wells are dedicated to providing a safe and enjoyable desert riding environment, and to ensuring that a quality experience remains available for future generations. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in ocotillo, california on tripadvisor. The pumpkin patch is a little known, but spectacular, geologic wonder located in the ocotillo state offroad vehicular recreation area. Palm desert, ca patch breaking local news events schools. Ocotillo wells campground with convenience store, clean, comfortable motel, quietsafe rv park.
With the epic terrain, amazing wildlife, world class geology, and. Take a tour of both ocotillo wells and the anza borrego desert. Ocotillo wells anza borrego desert where is pumpkin. See more ideas about desert pictures, wellness and borrego springs. Ocotillo wells ohv day run, pumpkin patch, and gas domes. Ocotillo wells best rides gpx tracks adventure rider. Pumpkin patch is an iconic geological site and a must see while visiting anza borrego or ocotillo wells. Pumpkin patch octillo wells lemon grove, california. Ocotillo wells is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Pumpkin patch map imperial county, california mapcarta. Devils slide is a 200foot high granite and sand island, a decomposing mountaintop. The pumpkin patch, located within the ocotillo wells offhighway vehicle area, is an enclosed,protected area for everyone to enjoy. Operated by california state parks, this large open area offers many types of interesting and unique terrain, such as the gas domes and pumpkin patch areas.
832 204 160 522 765 1021 913 1397 148 1086 1467 989 646 88 364 1181 1672 294 796 1182 718 79 1207 631 167 386 145 1639 1371 1000 1016 1495 1619 1169 429 1656 223 379 106 10 370 254 291 250 200