Borrego Mountain Wash is a moderate 4.3-mile off-road trail located in , California’s largest state park.
This desert wash route winds through rugged badlands and narrow canyons, offering drivers a taste of classic Southern California desert off-roading. The trail is known for its sandy stretches, loose rock, and a steep descent commonly referred to as the “Borrego Drop,” which requires a high-clearance 4WD vehicle. Along the way, you’ll pass through dramatic desert scenery shaped by erosion, including sculpted rock walls and dry waterfall features.
The nearby trailhead ("The Slot") provides an opportunity to explore on foot through one of Anza-Borrego’s most iconic natural formations, a winding slot canyon carved into the sandstone.
Getting to Borrego Mountain Wash Trailhead
From Borrego Springs, take State Route 78 east for approximately 7 miles. Turn left (north) onto Buttes Pass Road (GPS: 33.158976 -116.218799. After about 1 mile, you’ll reach the start of Borrego Mountain Wash. This is also where you’ll find parking for the Slot Canyon hike if you want to combine both adventures.
Sometimes, parking for The Slot gets full and the park service limits traffic to the area. If so, you might mention that you aren't going to The Slot to see if they will let you through.
The Trail
The Borrego Mountain Wash trail begins at the parking area for hike, heading southwest onto a ridge that parallels the canyon. The views here are remarkable, and in places you can see down into the canyon to your right. The trail will follow the rim of the canyon, bending to the north.
Around a mile or so from The Slot parking lot, you'll come to the most dramatic feature of the trail, a long, steep, sandy descent known as the Borrego Drop. This drop brings you to the lower and wider portion of the canyon below the narrow slot section that is popular among hikers. Descend the drop slowly and carefully.
Looking down into Borrego Mountain Wash from the rim approach trail.
If you plan to return up the climb, be honest with yourself about whether you and your vehicle are up to the task. The terrain is loose and rutted in places, and cars without four-wheel drive will have a difficult time ascending. I watched a two-wheel drive truck try many times before getting towed out of the canyon by another vehicle.
After Borrego Drop, the trail enters a narrow canyon.
From the bottom of the drop, the canyon narrows and bends north. Just as it begins to narrow there is a short technical section that requires thoughtful wheel placement. Then the trail follows the wash through the twisting canyon for another 1.25 miles before exiting into the open desert. As you pass through the canyon, you'll see many interesting geological features, including wind caves, cliffs, and narrow offshoot canyons.
The Borrego Mountain Wind Caves are a short hike from the trail.
The Borrego Mountain Wind Caves will be to your right, about a third of a mile from the bottom of the drop. This is a good place to get out and hike around a bit. The caves are small divots that have been carved into the rock by eons of wind-blown sand. Some are large enough for a person to squeeze into.
Once you exit the canyon, continue following the wash until it intersects with Borrego Sink Wash, a larger wash. Turn right and follow this larger wash, which follows the northeast margins of West Butte, the mountain at the center of this loop. Continue for 1.7 miles, and look for a narrow spur that heads south from the wash. This brings you into Buttes Pass, a slightly tricky to find wash trail which, winding south for 2.5 miles, will bring you back to Buttes Pass Road. Take a left at Buttes Pass road to return to Route 78.
Nearby Camping
Borrego Mountain Wash does not have established campgrounds, but dispersed camping is allowed throughout much of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. You can camp along the trail route and existing campsites can be found off nearby washes and side roads. Visitors should camp at least 100 feet from any water source and pack out all trash.