A Journey to Nature’s Paradise to Coyote Canyon in Anza Borrego State Park, California

Coyote Canyon is part of Anza-Borrego wilderness area in Southern California, USA.

Anza-Borrego wilderness area map including Coyote Canyon

Coyote Canyon pictures photo gallery

Street sign showing directions to di Giorgio road leading to Coyote Canyon

The information stand and start of the trail are at the end of Di Giorgio rd that you can follow from Borrego Springs. Coyote Canyon is an excellent location to visit during the spring to see the abundant wildflowers. Generally this valley is flat which makes it perfect for walking, hiking or biking.

The unpaved desert road at the entrance to Anza-Borrego State Park

Citrus trees and Santa Rosa Mountains in the background

During the winter, the peaks that surround the valley are blanketed with snow. Snowmelt, rainfall and natural springs all feed Coyote Creek as it tumbles down to the desert floor. This water supports lush vegetation and allows flowers to bloom in the spring – from early March to April.

Also you can see native desert willow, tule and California fan palm. Riparian habitat provide the essentials for big and small animals such as desert tortoise, verdins, chuckwalls and bighorn.

Snow-capped peaks of Santa Rosa mountains reaching over 8,000 feet

Citrus trees flower in March too and the smell is just amazing

Coyote Canyon is closed at 3-rd crossing from June 1 through end of September to protect bighorn sheep. There were many fossils discovered in Coyote Canyon. This area used to be open woodlands on the slopes and the valley was mostly grasslands.

Coyote Canyon has the most significant artifacts of human presence in Anza-Borrego State Park. This canyon was an important travel route between the desert floor and mountain valleys. This passage was initially established by local natives – Cahuilla and Cupeno. Later Spanish explorer de Anza used this trail during his expeditions in 1700-s. Coyote Canyon is considered important and sacred land by the ancestors of the native people living in the area today.

An information stand at the start of Coyote Canyon hiking trail

Purple flowers of desert verbena cover the desert floor in the spring

Coyote Canyon Hiking Tips

You can hike and camp in areas outside of the cultural preserve. Leave rocks and dead wood in place as they provide homes and shelter for many animals. If you want to have a campfire, bring your own firewood and a metal container with a bottom. Keep your fire in it and pack out the ashes, along with your trash including the toilet paper.

Desert ranch home near the citrus tree plantation

Desert wildflower fields in the Coyote Canyon area

You can drive through the parts of the Coyote Canyon. If you decide to do so, keep your speed down and you will have a better chance to the wild animals and enjoy the scenery, like wildflowers in the spring. Veering from designated roads destroys vegetation and the canyon floor. Keep you car on the road and preserve the natural beauty of the Canyon.

Come prepared for the desert weather – you will need sunscreen during the day and warm clothes at night. It can get quite windy as well and that will blow some sand around, check the forecast and dress appropriately.