Bike Trails & Roads
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park offers enough variety to please just about anyone. There are more than 500 miles of roads in the park that are open to bicycles. There are routes up rocky hills, through deep sand, along scenic streams and down steep hills. Both primitive jeep roads and paved roads are open to bicycles but remember, bikes are excluded from all hiking trails unless they are specifically designated as bike trails. Riders must stay on roadways at all times and may not venture off searching for firmer ground.
Route Descriptions
1. Split Mountain
Ride right through the split and enjoy the view from inside a mountain. This is a sandy road with a fairly gentle grade. Park at the mouth of the Fish Creek wash along Split Mountain Road. Ride in 4 miles to the Wind Caves trailhead. You can enjoy spectacular geologic formations at the Wind Caves as a unique side trip, if you are willing to leave your bike and walk.
2. Blair Valley
The Blair Valley area offers fairly level terrain and a good firm road most of the time. Ride into one of the trailheads and take a short walk to see the morteros or pictographs. (From highway S2 to Mortero Trail 3.8 miles, or 5.2 miles to Pictograph Trail.)
3. Grapevine Canyon
Here you can find a long downhill ride if you start down the Jasper Trail near Ranchita on the west boundary of the park. Stay on Grapevine Canyon road to avoid hills and rough riding. You'll enjoy shady trees and springs, but watch for 4WD traffic. Yaqui Well is a good spot to rest and watch birds and perhaps other desert critters
4. Pinyon Mountain
Starting at Pinyon mountain at about 4000 feet, you will see the incredible diversity of this area as you work your way down to sea level. The 28-mile route down toward Split Mountain offers plenty of coasting, but also some deep sand and a scary drop-off (you'll want to walk it down). You will need a vehicle shuttle, or else make a shorter tour coming in from either end. Pinyon mountain is a popular camping spot.
5. Borrego Mountain Area
You'll find several interesting loop routes using Buttes Pass Road, Goat Trail and San Felipe Wash. These routes are all in washes which may mean deep sand at times. Check current conditions before venturing out.
6. Carrizo Badlands
Park at the Carrizo Overlook on Highway S2 and enjoy the ride down Canyon Sin Nombre. Explore Carrizo Creek or Vallecito Creek or make a loop using Arroyo Tapiado and Arroyo Seco del Diablo.
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Anza-Borrego Desert State Park
DesertUSA Outdoor Recreation Guide |
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