Ocotillo Wells Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Shell reef!
Rather lengthy, but please considering reading about this amazing and unique landscape! Located just east of the Anza-Borrego State Park boundary is a unique geologic phenomenon known as the Pumpkin Patch. Here, you’ll find a patch of land, covered with spherically-shaped rocks that look like pumpkins. One needs a high-clearance vehicle, a 4WD, because there are several stretches of sand in the washes. The terrain is pretty rough, mostly frequented by ATVs and dirt bikes. Only an adept driver can manage to drive on these rough paths! The ‘pumpkins’ were created over the last four thousand years and are actually unique geological structures called ‘concretions’. They were formed very similar to how the pearls are created in nature. Formed in the Colorado river basin, the silt in the river bed created layers upon layers around a core of something as small as a pebble, leaf, stick, or a piece of bone. As the sand from the river washed away, here emerged the pumpkins and over millions of years, due to winds and other natural weather factors, became rounded in shape. Many of these concretions are over two feet in diameter. Of course today, the terrain is very foreign-looking as if some aliens laid these rocks on purpose. It was a very fun trip, thanks to our friend Dan Warner, who was kind enough to drive us in his awesome brand-new specially modified truck very deftly over some harsh terrain! We camped alongside the pumpkins (fenced off to protect them from vandalism), waking up at 1 am to shoot the rising Milky Way. It was fun sharing this experience with a few photog friends! Personally, it was my very first time camping, EVER, and it was a beautiful experience sleeping under a very dark sky with a canopy of twinkling stars! An experience of a life-time for this senior! I bring you Milky Way over the Anza Borrego Desert in California. Oh What A Night!!!
Great place for off-roading!
Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort

Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort

3.5 out of 5
221 Palm Canyon Drive Borrego Springs CA
Stay at this motel in Borrego Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
I really enjoyed my stay at Palm Canyon. What really stood out was the staff. I was working remotely for most of my trip, but the WiFi was spotty in my area of the property. Sabrina offered up an employee house on the property that had its own router that I could use as a private workspace. It was ...

Reviewed on 23 Mar 2026

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Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort
Borrego Springs Resort & Spa

Borrego Springs Resort & Spa

3 out of 5
1112 Tilting T Drive Borrego Springs CA
The price is Rp2.722.268 per night from 1 Apr to 2 Apr
Rp2.722.268
Rp3.310.318 total
1 Apr - 2 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this resort in Borrego Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
AC kept room cool but very loud.

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2026

Borrego Springs Resort & Spa
La Casa Del Zorro Resort & Spa

La Casa Del Zorro Resort & Spa

4 out of 5
3845 Yaqui Pass Rd Borrego Springs CA
The price is Rp4.729.161 per night from 26 Apr to 27 Apr
Rp4.729.161
Rp5.574.158 total
26 Apr - 27 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Borrego Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and 5 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
Wonderful accommodations, lovely property and rooms. I enjoyed that my room was well appointed, comfortable and was spacious especially with the vaulted ceilings and private balcony. Restaurant was very good, well balanced food choices and attentive wait staff. I had dinner and breakfast there. Cozy ...

Reviewed on 19 Mar 2026

La Casa Del Zorro Resort & Spa
See all 137 properties in Ocotillo Wells
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Stagecoach Trails RV Resort

Stagecoach Trails RV Resort

2 out of 5
7878 Great Southern Overland Julian CA
Stay at this campsite in Julian. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attraction Yaqui Well is located nearby.
9/10 Wonderful! (49 reviews)
Campground was easily accessible, the site was well maintained. No check-in was possible on Monday due to the office being closed, but our friends connected up with the camp host to let them know of our arrival. Overall, the camping and use of amenities (showers, restrooms, etc.) was very nice. Restrooms ...

Reviewed on 18 Mar 2026

Stagecoach Trails RV Resort
Borrego Springs Hideaway: Pool Table, Mtn Views!

Borrego Springs Hideaway: Pool Table, Mtn Views!

3 out of 5
2890 Fonts Point Dr Borrego Springs CA
Stay at this cottage in Borrego Springs. Enjoy a pool table, patios and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions Yaqui Well and RoadRunner Golf & Country Club ...
Borrego Springs Hideaway: Pool Table, Mtn Views!
See all properties in Ocotillo Wells
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

USA, California, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Wild heliotrope

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center is just one of the places to see in Borrego Springs, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Discover the desert landscapes and top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Visitor Center
Usa, California. Mojave Desert. Last light on the Pumpkin Patch, Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area

Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area

Explore the great outdoors at Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area, a lovely green space in Borrego Springs. Discover the desert landscapes and top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area.

Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area

The Springs at Borrego Golf Course

Enjoy a round of golf in Borrego Springs at The Springs at Borrego Golf Course. Discover the desert landscapes and top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area.

The Springs at Borrego Golf Course

RoadRunner Golf & Country Club

Enjoy a round of golf in Borrego Springs at RoadRunner Golf & Country Club. Discover the desert landscapes and top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area.

RoadRunner Golf & Country Club

Anza-Borrego Museum

You can spend an afternoon studying the exhibits at Anza-Borrego Museum in Borrego Springs. Discover the desert landscapes and top-notch restaurants in this romantic area.

Anza-Borrego Museum

Anza Borrego Tennis Center

Catch an event at Anza Borrego Tennis Center during your trip to Borrego Springs. Discover the desert landscapes and top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area.

Anza Borrego Tennis Center

Things to do

Intro to Wild Clay/Earthenware Pottery Workshop

Intro to Wild Clay/Earthenware Pottery Workshop

Rp1.220.976
per adult
Intro to Wild Clay/Earthenware Pottery Workshop
Julian Tour from San Diego, visit of the Gold Mine + Julian Pie!

Julian Tour from San Diego, visit of the Gold Mine + Julian Pie!

Rp3.029.575
per adult
Julian Tour from San Diego, visit of the Gold Mine + Julian Pie!
Main Street in Julian

Pies & Pickaxes: A Historic Walking Tour of Julian, CA

Rp169.081
per adult
Pies & Pickaxes: A Historic Walking Tour of Julian, CA
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