Ocotillo Wells

Travel 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!
Borrego Springs Resort & Spa

Borrego Springs Resort & Spa

3 out of 5
1112 Tilting T Drive Borrego Springs CA
The price is P14,157 per night from Mar 1 to Mar 2
P14,157
P16,562 total
Mar 1 - Mar 2
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this resort in Borrego Springs. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
Everything was great until the last night, when the neighboring motorcycle dudes partied hearty well into the wee hours. I slept OK but my wife did not. She told me that the commotion actually shook the bed!

Reviewed on Feb 27, 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 WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
Clean, nice bar and good location between town and the park.

Reviewed on Feb 23, 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 P20,525 per night from Mar 22 to Mar 23
P20,525
P23,765 total
Mar 22 - Mar 23
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Borrego Springs. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 5 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
Staff were great. Bathrooms in the rooms are lovely. Food in the restaurants is good. But the grounds and room amenities at this "resort" leave a lot to be desired. The main dining room is lovely, but you may well be seated instead in the auxilliary dining area, which feels like the "kids' table" ...

Reviewed on Feb 18, 2026

La Casa Del Zorro Resort & Spa
See all 136 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 campground in Julian. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attraction Yaqui Well is located nearby.
9/10 Wonderful! (48 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 Feb 6, 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

Anza-Borrego Museum

You can spend an afternoon browsing the exhibits at Anza-Borrego Museum during your trip to Borrego Springs. Discover the desert landscapes and top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area.

Anza-Borrego Museum

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 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

Things to do

Main Street in Julian

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

P464
per adult
Pies & Pickaxes: A Historic Walking Tour of Julian, CA
Julian Tour from San Diego, visit of the Gold Mine + Julian Pie!

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

P10,387
per adult
Julian Tour from San Diego, visit of the Gold Mine + Julian Pie!
Salem Puzzling Adventure

Julian Puzzling Adventure

P2,030
per traveler
Julian Puzzling Adventure
See all activities in Ocotillo Wells
Anza Borrego Badlands Fonts Point

Borrego Springs