Ocotillo Wells Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Shell reef!
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!

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Borrego Springs Resort & Spa

Borrego Springs Resort & Spa

3 out of 5
1112 Tilting T Drive Borrego Springs CA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$318 per night from 24 Feb to 25 Feb
NZ$318
24 Feb - 25 Feb
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. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
Room was perfect for an overnight stay in Borrego Springs. Great location and staff was very helpful!

Reviewed on 11 Feb 2026

Borrego Springs Resort & Spa
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. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,013 reviews)
Yes our stay was great!

Reviewed on 12 Feb 2026

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Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort
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 NZ$652 per night from 18 Feb to 19 Feb
NZ$652
18 Feb - 19 Feb
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)
Nothing really stood out. The place is large so it wasn’t easy to find our room. Quiet and comfortable.

Reviewed on 2 Feb 2026

La Casa Del Zorro Resort & Spa
See all 138 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.
8.8/10 Excellent! (47 reviews)
Very cool campground, everything on property is rustic old western and built very well. Bathrooms were very clean and campsites are large and well maintained. Will definitely be coming back and spending more time there as the area has alot of recreational activities available.

Reviewed on 6 Feb 2026

Stagecoach Trails RV Resort
Luxury Exclusive Golf Community Hot Tub & Desert Views Pet-Friendly

Luxury Exclusive Golf Community Hot Tub & Desert Views Pet-Friendly

Borrego Springs CA
Stay at this villa in Borrego Springs. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, private pools and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Yaqui Well and RoadRunner Golf & Country Club ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (20 reviews)
The host was very responsive. We had many internet and technical challenges due to an electrical outing.

Reviewed on 15 Dec 2025

Luxury Exclusive Golf Community Hot Tub & Desert Views Pet-Friendly
Remodeled Borrego 1 bed/1 ba

Remodeled Borrego 1 bed/1 ba

Borrego Springs CA
Stay at this apartment in Borrego Springs. Enjoy an in-room coffee maker, housekeeping and air conditioning. Popular attractions Anza Borrego Desert State Park ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (30 reviews)
Very comfortable and clean, great for our 2 night stay. The only issue we had was the very small toaster oven took ages to cook anything. Also no kettle but that's just us wanting a cup of tea !

Reviewed on 26 Jan 2026

Remodeled Borrego 1 bed/1 ba
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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

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 relaxing area.

Anza-Borrego Museum

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

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

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 romantic area.

Anza Borrego Tennis Center

Activities

Intro to Wild Clay/Earthenware Pottery Workshop

Intro to Wild Clay/Earthenware Pottery Workshop

NZ$120
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!

NZ$298
per adult
Julian Tour from San Diego, visit of the Gold Mine + Julian Pie!
Salem Puzzling Adventure

Julian Puzzling Adventure

NZ$59
per traveller
Julian Puzzling Adventure
See all activities in Ocotillo Wells

Cities near Ocotillo Wells

#Culture Galleta Meadows has over 130 incredibly detailed metal sculptures by artist Ricardo Breceda scattered around the beautiful desert town of Borrego Springs, CA for explorers to visit day and night.

Borrego Springs