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!
Borrego Springs Resort & Spa

Borrego Springs Resort & Spa

3 out of 5
1112 Tilting T Drive Borrego Springs CA
The price is AU$236 per night from 27 Jan to 28 Jan
AU$236
27 Jan - 28 Jan
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! (1,006 reviews)
We had a lovely stay and enjoyed the pool and hot tub. Be aware the golf course and spa are closed and appear this is a long term situation.

Reviewed on 19 Jan 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 AU$339 per night from 27 Jan to 28 Jan
AU$339
27 Jan - 28 Jan
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! (1,003 reviews)
The property had a lot of activities, but some of them were closed. Not a lot of people there.

Reviewed on 16 Jan 2026

La Casa Del Zorro 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! (1,001 reviews)
Lovely hotel, very clean room, friendly staff, very close to the state park.

Reviewed on 19 Jan 2026

Get rates
Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort
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 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)
Stage coach was great. Just be advised, their store is closed Sunday and Monday and the nearest one is about 30 minutes away.

Reviewed on 24 Oct 2025

Stagecoach Trails RV Resort
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! (28 reviews)
A very nice vacation home we got, clean, cozy, well equipped, quiet neighborhood, and convenient. Will definitely rent again if visiting next time.

Reviewed on 17 Nov 2025

Remodeled Borrego 1 bed/1 ba
Charming 3brd house in Borrego Springs. Family and pet friendly, close to town!

Charming 3brd house in Borrego Springs. Family and pet friendly, close to town!

2 out of 5
Borrego Springs CA
Stay at this holiday home in Borrego Springs. Enjoy laundry facilities, patios and an in-room coffee maker. Popular attractions Anza Borrego Desert State Park ...
10/10 Exceptional! (3 reviews)
Quiet neighborhood near State Park where are son works. Great place for a little family vacation with kids and grandkids.

Reviewed on 2 Jan 2026

Charming 3brd house in Borrego Springs. Family and pet friendly, close to town!
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

Shell reef!

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 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

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

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 romantic 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 romantic 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 relaxing area.

Anza Borrego Tennis Center

Activities

Main Street in Julian

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

AU$12
per adult
Pies & Pickaxes: A Historic Walking Tour of Julian, CA
Intro to Wild Clay/Earthenware Pottery Workshop

Intro to Wild Clay/Earthenware Pottery Workshop

AU$108
per adult
Intro to Wild Clay/Earthenware Pottery Workshop
Salem Puzzling Adventure

Julian Puzzling Adventure

AU$52
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