Exploring Slot Canyons in Anza-Borrego and San Diego

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, located about 2 hours from San Diego, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers alike. Among its standout features are the slot canyons, narrow sandstone passages carved by centuries of water and wind erosion. These geological wonders offer visitors the chance to witness stunning natural formations and experience a unique type of hiking not commonly found in Southern California. Their dramatic walls, ranging from just a few feet to towering above, create breathtaking scenery and thrilling adventures for anyone visiting the area.

Adventure Guide to Slot Canyons in Anza-Borrego

The Slot
Located off Buttes Pass Road, The Slot is one of the most popular canyons in Anza-Borrego. This narrow and twisting canyon offers a maze-like trail with towering walls that sometimes narrow to just shoulder-width. Its easy accessibility (short drive from Borrego Springs) makes it a top choice for first-time canyon explorers. Don’t miss the famous stone bridge formation along the hike.
Canyon Sin Nombre
Found in the southern part of the park, Canyon Sin Nombre is quieter and less crowded than The Slot. It features a unique blend of sandy paths and rugged rock walls. Carved through colorful sandstone, this canyon provides a more immersive experience into the desert’s secluded beauty. While accessible by high-clearance vehicles, the drive is well worth it for the solitude.
Calcite Mine Slot Canyons
Near the Calcite Mine Trail, these canyons are intertwined with an old WWII calcite mining site. Hikers can discover stunning polished walls of whitish rock and occasional bursts of color. The viewpoints from the surrounding ridges also offer incredible views of the park.

Local Insights

Anza-Borrego is California's largest state park, and these canyons are shaped by seasonal flash floods. Always check weather conditions during your visit, as rain can make these areas dangerous.

Visitor Tips

Best time to visit: Late fall through early spring (cooler weather and fewer crowds).
What to bring: Sturdy shoes, sun protection, water, some snacks, and a park map or GPS device.
Directions: From San Diego, take I-8 E to S2 N, then follow signs to the park (approx. 2 hours).

Adventure Map

Reviews

Rick Dorsey2 months ago

If you live in Southern California and you'd like to visit something totally off the grid and experience exquisite quietness with spectacular beauty, this is it!

Paula month ago

Beautiful park. Rude and inconsiderate visitors. We have camped here a couple of nights for most of the last 10 Decembers without any issues. The first night was great. Hardly anyone was there so it was peaceful and quiet. Beautiful night sky with a few shooting stars. Although still uncrowded, the second night was awful. A group of four young people showed up and drank and partied loudly into the wee hours. Sound carries over long distances here so we were not the only ones that they disturbed. Surprisingly, in their drunken state they made at least a couple of "beer runs into town. The state parks have quiet hours, they just do not appear to enforce them. The few should not be allowed to ruin things for the rest of us.

Craig Bellavance2 months ago

Visited the park on a weekday in November when the visitor center was open, the weather was perfect for hiking, and the crowds were somewhere else. The wildflowers were long gone, and the bighorn sheep were hiding. But the trails were well marked, clean, uncrowded and a joy to hike...

Lynnann AKA Grandmaa month ago

This is an incredible desert park and is a gift that keeps on giving. Plenty of off roading, primitive camping, a great visitor center and a genuinely welcoming town. The desert is beautiful 365 days a year but always pay attention to the weather and park rangers’ advice!

MJ Brewer3 months ago

The most incredible camping imaginable between blue birds, ravens, eagles, hummingbirds, rabbits, beetles, and eternal starry skies. No mosquitos. Hardly any flies. Please keep this area clean for the next person by disposing of cigarette butts, bottle caps, etc.

Hiking

Exploring Slot Canyons in Anza-Borrego and San Diego