Anza-borrego-wildflower-reports-2025
Share Your 2025 Anza-Borrego wildflower reports and photos with DesertUSA
Please share your wildflower pictures, including the date and location. We will post your photos on our Wildflower Reports page, so others can learn where and when to view the spectacular displays.
- E-mail your digital photos and reports to Jim@desertusa.com. Use Wildflower Report as the subject of your e-mail. Let us know where you took the image, the date, and how you would like us to give you photo credit (first name, etc.)
- Text your photos to 760-740-1787. Be sure to include the location and the name you want to be credited for the photos.
Note: Spring is one of the most beautiful times of the year in the desert, but it can also be a time for caution. Rattlesnakes lie dormant during the cold fall and winter months and awaken from hibernation in the warm months of March and April. Another reason to stay on the trails. More…
How to get to the park – Map – You can also tour the 133 full-sized metal sculptures here that are inspired by creatures that roamed this same desert millions of years ago.
More on the park: Park Information
A comprehensive book on Wildflowers found in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Large, beautiful photographs are arranged by color for easy identification.
Desert Wildflowers, and Plants Field Guide Kindle Edition
From Oct 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025 the Visitor Center will be open 7 days a week, including holiday
2025 Anza Borrego Desert – Wildflower updates
April 7, 2025, Gordon Reports: I took photos on Saturday April 5, 2025 at Rainbow Canyon in Anza Borrego. Happy to have you share them. If you happen to know the names of any I’d be grateful to know them! Saturday April 5, 2025 at Rainbow Canyon in Anza Borrego. Happy to have you share them. If you happen to know the names of any I’d be grateful to know them!Â
April 6, 2025, DUSA Reports: There are more flowers by the third crossing in Coyote Canyon, but it’s difficult to reach without a four wheel high clearance vehicle. Blooming Beavertail Cactus with a yellow flower in the Visitor Center garden. Cactus start to bloom at this time of the year keep an eye open for them. It starting to get hot in the desert. As the temperature climbs with the coming of spring, expect to see more reptiles.
March 20, 2025, DUSA Reports: Went searching for wildflowers on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 didn’t find much but here’s a video showing what we did find.
March 17, 2025, Donald Reports: I took these photos of the desert wildflower bloom along the Cactus Loop Nature Trail of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park on March 15, 2025. Peninsular Fishhook Cactus budding and blooming and Ocotillo, Fouquieria splendens splendens, blooming
March 12, 2025, DUSA Reports: Rain in a Palm Grove and more rain is predicted for Thursday the 13th.
March 3, 2025, DUSA Reports: The Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is experiencing below-average rainfall this winter, leading to expectations of a limited wildflower bloom this spring. As of March 3, 2025, blooming annuals are scarce, with a potential cactus bloom anticipated between late March and April, though its quality remains uncertain.
Despite these conditions, visitors can still enjoy the park’s unique landscapes and resilient flora. Hardy species like agave, brittlebush, and ocotillo may still provide localized splashes of color, particularly in remote canyons. Exploring these areas offers a chance to appreciate the subtle beauty of the desert’s adaptability.
Other Things to See
Feb 15, 2025, DUSA Reports: We finally got some rain in the Borrego Springs area, and in the park, the best rain so far has been in the Palm Canyon Area at 0.38 inches. Fish Creek and Ocotillo Wells received a small amount of rain, 0.07. Ended the 315 day record drought around Borrego Springs. The rain helps, but there will be no significant bloom this year. There may be some good spots in the next three or four weeks.
Feb 10, 2025, Dusa reports: Finally, there’s rain in the forecast for the desert this week.
Feb 5 2025 Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Reports: As spring approaches, many wonder if Anza-Borrego Desert State Park will experience one of its famed wildflower blooms this year. Unfortunately, due to the desert receiving virtually no significant rain this season, a large-scale bloom is not expected. These breathtaking blooms, which blanket the desert floor with vibrant colors, require substantial and well-timed rainfall to occur—a weather pattern we haven’t seen this year.
However, while a significant bloom is unlikely, the good news is the desert will still have some blooms here and there, with higher concentrations in remote canyons. Hardy plants like agave, brittlebush, and ocotillo blossoms can still be found, adding splashes of color to the landscape. Visitors who take the time to explore will be rewarded with the simple beauty of these resilient desert plants.
January 30, 2025, Donald reports: Along S-22 from Salton City to Truckhaven at Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area, January 29, 2025. Salton Milkvetch, three of four plants were blooming; one had seed pods, no flowers, and no leaves. 2nd photo Orcutt’s Woodyaster, three of eight plants were blooming, five had no flowers.
January 9, 2025, Dan reports: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Cactus Loop Trail 1/7/25 Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) was in bloom regularly along the trail.
January 8, 2025, Dan reports: Palm Canyon trail, Anza Borrego State Park Jan. 4, 2025 We were told that there has been no rain in the park since July. Saw nothing in bloom at a higher elevation location yesterday. Justicia californica (chuparosa) was blooming nicely all along this trail. Condea emoryi (desert lavender) was blooming in a few places. We saw nothing else in bloom. Amazing the way the palms have come back since the fire in 2020. A few other native shrubs were blooming at the visitor center where they have some irrigation. We also saw two plants of Fouquieria splendens (ocotillo) blooming next to each other.
January 1, 2025, DesertUSA reports: No reports yet. Updates will be shared here as soon as new reports come in. Stay tuned for the latest bloom news, and don’t forget to bookmark this page for easy access to timely updates!
2024 reports
Dec 12, 2024 DesertUSA Reports: Not much blooming at this time, the park has received very little rain. There are some blooms in Fish Creek and in the badlands.
April 11, 2024 DesertUSA Reports: The vibrant wildflower display along Henderson Canyon Road has concluded for the season. Photo 04/10/2024
Photos tips: Most digital point-and-shoot cameras have a macro function – usually symbolized by the icon of a little flower. When you turn on that function, you allow your camera to get closer to the subject, looking into a flower for example. Or getting up close and personal with a bug. More on desert photography.
Mojave Desert Wildflowers – This book is the standard by which all other wildflower books are measured. The author, Jon Mark Stewart, has combined super photography with concise information. This book has an entire color page for each wildflower covered, with a discussion of the wildflower. 210 pages with 200 color photos. More…
Other DesertUSA Resources
Desert Plants
Wildflower Information & Hotlines
When Will The Wildflowers Bloom?