How to Elope in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Deep in the deserts of southern California, there’s a wealth of beautiful and amazing places to explore that are underrated and undervisited. Enter Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, the largest state park in California—and perhaps a location you’ve never visited.
Just an hour from the popular vacation spot, Palm Springs, you’ll find this desert park right near the tiny town of Borrego Springs. While these areas get some love during flower season, they often get overlooked the rest of the year. Which is a real shame, because Anza-Borrego offers a plethora of fun activities for the outdoor enthusiasts.
But what about the couples who want to take their love to the SoCal deserts? I’m talking about getting married or eloping in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Well, this is the guide for you and your significant other.
Here’s everything you need to know about eloping in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Wedding Permits for Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Anza-Borrego is such a unique landscape—500 miles of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas, and countless hiking trails. It’s surprising to me that more people aren’t traveling here for their adventure weddings.
If you do decide to tie the knot in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, you’ll likely need a special-use permit. Depending on a few specifics, these permits cost roughly $100 to $300—which is honestly a steal when you consider the typical venue costs of getting married in San Diego County.
Check out the California State Parks or Anza-Borrego page for more information about permitting.
Where to Get Married in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is full of natural wonders. There are slot canyons, wide-open badlands, petroglyphs, ancient palm trees, and early spring flowers. There’s just too many amazing places to explore, and I’ve seen a lot of them!
One of my favorite parts of my elopement photography job is finding amazing places for you two to visit on your wedding day! Hit me up and I’ll tell you where to go, based on your desires. Or check out one of these locations:
Slot Canyons: Tuck yourselves in between some sandstone walls, and gander at the array of desert hues. There are so many slots to choose from all over the park. Even some spots that require a 4x4 to get to!
Font’s Point: Your offroading adventure awaits! Font’s Point has amazing views of sunset over the badlands. No 4x4? Not to worry, there are other cliffside locations with great views.
Anza-Borrego Amphitheater: Within the state park, you’ll find an amphitheater, a perfect spot for an outdoor wedding with seating and a stage built in.
Giant Sculptures: Sprinkled around Borrego Springs and Anza-Borrego, you’ll find an array of animal sculptures, both real and fantasy. These capture the imagination and offer a great photo opportunity for you and your special someone.
Secret Spots: There are so many spots I’m keeping quiet about for them for the moment. But if you book with me as your photographer, I’d be happy to show you. Want to see wild flowers? Wind caves? Old mines? Hit me up, and we’ll plan an epic desert-adventure wedding!
Wedding Venues Near Anza-Borrego
Anza-Borrego and Borrego Springs are small and charming areas. There may not be a ton of wedding venues to choose from, but in the event you need one, there are a few!
These venues are also hotels, so you can stay at the same spot where you celebrate your nuptials. And all have easy access to Anza-Borrego for those post-wedding adventures.
Here’s a short list of wedding venues near Anza-Borrego Desert State Park:
Borrego Springs Resort: 5 areas to choose from with guest sizes ranging from 30 to 200. The options for your wedding ceremony and reception include the Fireside Lounge, the Gaslamp Patio, the de Anza Ballroom, and the Citrus Room—each offer their own unique charm and guest accommodations.
La Casa Del Zorro Resort & Spa: Indoor and outdoor locations to choose from, as well as catering available on site.
Borrego Valley Inn: A Santa Fe-styled inn with space for up to 100 people.
Bonus Wedding & Elopement Spots Beyond Anza-Borrego
Dig Anza-Borrego’s desert vibes, but curious about other areas to get married too? Here’s a helpful list of other SoCal desert areas for your wedding day:
Palm Springs: Want desert but with more bougie things to do? Check out Palm Springs, a nearby city with tons of trendy amenities.
Mojave National Preserve: Hours away from Anza-Borrego is another amazing desert park with sand dunes, granite boulders, Joshua Trees, offroading, and more.
Salton Sea & Salvation Mountain: Want a truly unique spot? Head out to the Salton Sea, Bombay Beach, or Salvation Mountain for an elopement with some kitsch desert art.
Joshua Tree National Park: Miles and miles of boulders, vistas, mountains, and (of course) Joshua Trees. Plus, the surrounding towns offer lots of dining and lodging options.
Death Valley National Park: A rugged landscape full of desert colors, salt flats, and geological wonders. Perfect for the most adventurous couples and their guests.
None of these fit your vibe? Reach out, and we can discuss your location needs!
Bring Your Dog to Your Anza-Borrego Elopement
Yes, you can bring your dog to Anza-Borrego, but there are some stipulations. For example, dogs (and cats) are allowed on leash, in campgrounds, on designated park roads, and on the Campground Trail.
However, you’ll need to pay attention to a few things. The desert can be dangerous for pets. Between the cacti, other pointy plants, high temperatures, and wild animals, you’ll need to pay attention to where Fido roams.
Keep Anza-Borrego Clean: Leave No Trace
The desert is a beautiful place. Let’s keep it that way by following Leave No Trace (LNT) guidelines that protect the land.
Keep these guidelines in mind when visiting Anza-Borrego and the surrounding deserts:
Pack it in, pack it out. Take trash with you, even orange peels
Dispose of waste in proper receptacles.
Obey signs if they tell you to stay on the trail. Especially in delicate areas like flower fields and oases.
Stay out of mines. There are old buildings and mines to explore, but it is generally unsafe to enter.
Don’t disturb local flora and fauna, and don’t feed animals.
Watch where you step—don’t crush the brush.
Don’t set fires if there’s a ban. There are still plants that can catch fire.
These tips help ensure your trip is safe and has a low impact on the environment.
When to Get Married in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
The desert is a beautiful ecosystem, but it’s also a landscape that rewards preparation. Yes, that includes hydration, snacks, sunscreen, and the rest. But this also includes preparing for the elements, like sand, dry wind, and even winter.
So, here’s a quickie guide to each season in Anza-Borrego:
Spring: Early spring is a great time to visit or have a wedding. Temperate verging on warm, and spring flowers abound if it’s been a wet year. But, of course, the lovely weather brings in more crowds.
Summer: The summers here are hot. June-August can see temperatures around 100-110º. While you can certainly visit during this time, it’s not advised to do outdoor activities in the peak of the day. Although summer is the best time for stargazing—if you can handle the heat.
Winter: Winter is a beautiful time for wedding couples to visit. There can still be rain during this time, but this is a very dry location overall. Due to the amazing temperatures, there are more people present, especially in late winter when flowers can bloom.
Fall: It’s still warm in the fall months. Temperatures can range from 70-100º. Late fall brings cooler temperatures, but still much warmer than the rest of the country.
Lodging: Where to Stay in Anza-Borrego
Borrego Springs is the closest town to the state park, so you’ll want to stay there. It’s possible to stay in Jacumba Hot Springs if you’re visiting the southern end of the park, but that can be far from a lot of the easily accessible areas. You can also stay in Palm Springs, but that will be a 1.5 hour drive.
Here’s some options throughout Borrego Springs and Anza-Borrego.
Hotels
Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort: With plenty of western charm—and a dine-in saloon—this one is great for travelers who adore the history and aesthetic of the area.
Borrego Springs Resort: The hotel is known for its spacious rooms, private balconies or patios, tennis courts, heated outdoor pool, and more.
La Casa Del Zorro: Luxury without breaking the bank, this is a cute stay for you and your guests. Not to mention yoga, pools, and tennis & pickleball courts; if that’s your thing.
Borrego Valley Inn: An adults-only oasis. Heads up, this inn has a clothing-optional pool. So, if that’s your thing, have fun.
Airbnbs
Delightful Adobe Desert Retreat: A cute little retreat, all your own. Enjoy the pool, the stylish rooms, and the Instagram-worthy outdoor area.
Stylish and Private Adobe Retreat: Enjoy your own getaway in this Airbnb, complete with games, three bedrooms, and a fetching exterior.
Cactus & Stars: Just a short walk from town, this Airbnb has everything you need for a romantic stay.
Borrego Surf Club: From pool to palm trees, comfy beds to Americana decor, this one is a choice for any couple.
Cozy Private Getaway: Equal parts cozy and cute, this is an ideal lodging option for couples in love.
Designer's Mid-Century Retreat: Not only is the house itself cute, there is an acre of land to explore with your special someone.
The Borrego House: Want to spread out? This house has everything you need for a fun stay in Borrego Springs, CA.
Stargaze Dome: A very unique lodging option, the obvious draw is the dome perfect for stargazing.
Getting Around (Planes and Cars)
Anza-Borrego is a big park! You’ll want a car to get around and see the sites. Bonus if it has 4x4 capability since there’s a ton of dirt roads in the park. If you’re driving from the west, take a pit stop in Julian for some pie. Thank me later!
Flying in? Here are the options:
Palm Springs International Airport: A smaller airport with a quick 1.5-hour drive to Borrego Springs.
Los Angeles International Airport: Nearly 3 hours from Borrego Springs, this airport will likely have cheaper options but more traffic.
Fun Activities for Your Anza-Borrego Wedding
An adventure elopement is a blank canvas, one you can fill with the best activities you and yours will love. Here’s some ideas to get you started:
Hire a personal chef: The nearby Palm Springs has some amazing options for personal chefs. Hire one for your intimate post-elopement dinner at an Airbnb.
Have a picnic: Within the bounds of the state park, you’ll find plenty of tables you can decorate for a picnic. Or drive out away from the crowds and have a picnic with a view of sunset over the badlands.
Stargaze: This park gets some light pollution, but you can still see plenty of stars at night during a new moon.
Go Camping: Where the state park ends, the public lands begin. You’ll have your choice of official and dispersed campsites.
Dirt bike or offroading: Half the park is accessible only by 4x4 or offroading. That means you can really get away from the crowds with the right vehicle.
Visit a roadside attraction: From the Borrego Springs sculptures to the Salton Sea, there’s plenty of zany art to see out in the desert.
Best Advice for Getting Married in Anza-Borrego
As you can tell, Anza-Borrego has so much to offer couples on their wedding day or adventure elopement. Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your trip.
Hire an experienced and knowledgable wedding photographer: The first one is obvious. You want to capture the moment, right? Plus, as an elopement photographer with plenty of local knowledge, I can ensure that you get the exact experiences you crave on your big day!
Keep your bodies happy and healthy: This means packing plenty of water, snacks, electrolytes, sunscreen, and all the essentials. It’s all too easy to forget about the necessities on your wedding day. Keeping on top of these things will have you feeling good all day long.
Take a moment to view the nightsky: Anza-Borrego is known for its darkskies—which means plenty of stars or even good lunar visibility.
Plan some activities while visiting: There’s so much to do here—from hiking and stargazing, to shopping and dining out. Try a little bit of everything, or zone in on your favorite activities.
Book Your Anza-Borrego Elopement Photographer
As a California-born photographer, the deserts of the southwest have become like a second home. I’ve spent many winters exploring Anza, Joshua Tree, Palm Springs, and more. The desert holds so much beauty for those who pause long enough to experience it. So slow down, get married amongst the sand and salt.
Need a desert wedding photographer to capture all of the magic?
Book with Love & Latitudes Outdoor Wedding and Elopement Photography today!
Anza-Borrego Elopement Packages
+ 4-8+ hours of coverage
+ Planning and vendor services
+ Location assistance
+ Online gallery with high-resolution photos
+ Option to download images or purchase prints online
+ Travel fees included, minus permits
+ Optional officiant services.
Meet Your Anza-Borrego Photographer
I'm Diana Lustig, a California-born adventurer with a camera for a hand and an inborn love for the outdoors. I'm a professional photographer of 18 years and counting. In my free time you'll find me traveling with my husband in our van, Clyde. We’ll often spend winters in Anza-Borrego where we’ve found some of the best winter temperatures.
How did I get into wedding and elopement photography? In 2019, I hired adventure photographers for my own wedding and they showed me there’s a different, more personal way to get married. It was such a special day, I want to bring it to so many more couples who believe in getting married their own way.
Let’s Chat About Your Anza-Borrego Wedding
