Fonts Point - Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Fonts Point, tucked into the heart of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, offers far-ranging views of the Borrego Badlands and the Salton Sea.

Known as Southern California's "Grand Canyon," this overlook reveals miles of eroded Badlands and, on a clear day, panoramic views stretching from the Salton Sea to the peaks of the San Ysidro Mountains.

The trail to Fonts Point is accessible by most vehicles with caution due to some sandy sections, but no significant off-roading is required. The round-trip drive is approximately 4 miles, with minimal elevation gain.

Trail Details

Getting to Fonts Point

From the town of Borrego Springs, From Christmas Tree Circle in Borrego Springs, head out on Palm Canyon Drive for 4.5 miles, then continue onto Pegleg Road for 2.4 miles. Next, follow Borrego Salton Sea Way for 3.6 miles, and the Fonts Point Wash trailhead will be on your right (GPS: 33.303412, -116.239009). Follow the sandy but navigable road for about 4 miles to the parking area for the roundabout. The wash is suitable for most vehicles when taken cautiously, although the sand can be tricky after heavy weather or during dry spells.

Fonts Point Overview

Fonts Point offers visitors an unforgettable vantage point over the rugged Borrego Badlands, a unique landscape marked by rippling ravines and carved hills that stretch endlessly across the desert floor. The overlook is just a short walk from where you park, making it an accessible destination for all ages.

The view from Fonts Point is particularly captivating at sunrise and sunset, when the desert's palette of deep reds, purples, and golds transforms the badlands into a painter's dream. On a clear day, you can see the glinting waters of the Salton Sea to the east and the towering mountains to the west, creating a dramatic contrast against the arid landscape below.

Tectonic forces, erosion, and sediment deposition formed this rugged landscape over millions of years. The region sits along the San Andreas Fault system, where tectonic activity has caused the Earth's crust to buckle and fracture. Over time, shifting tectonic plates uplifted and folded ancient sea beds, exposing layers of sediment that had accumulated on the ocean floor long ago.

This area's geological diversity shapes gullies, cliffs, and badland ravines, and reveals fossils from prehistoric marine life and ancient mammals, offering visitors a window into the region's ancient, dynamic past. The result is a surreal, almost lunar landscape that invites exploration and awe, significantly as the light shifts over its intricate patterns of gullies and cliffs.

Though it requires little effort to reach, Fonts Point delivers a remote desert experience that few locations can match. Bring water, wear sun protection, and be prepared to lose track of time as you take in the vast desert expanse. When you're ready to depart, follow the wash road back to S22.