Anza-Borrego State Park is massive. Vast. At some 600,000 acres and with 500+ miles of dirt roads, it is California’s largest state park and a perfect place to pedal away to silence and stars. There are big horn sheep to see, if you’re lucky. No matter your luck, if you’re pedaling a bike in the Borrego, you’re fortunate.
Today/now, you are not permitted to camp overnight in the park. Why? Covid. You can go on long day rides, though. A great spot to do that is Pinyon Mountain Road on the park’s southern end. It would be an out-and-back, with lots of side roads to explore, along with canyons to check out on foot. Basically, go wander.
Bikepacking: when the park allows for overnight camping again, this is nice area to do a shake-down run, give it a go for the first time, test some of your gear. It could also be a segment of much larger outings that could go on for a few days. On a day shake-down trip, pack up your bike and go set up your sleeping arrangement, cook some lunch, test things, hang out.
Tires: the fatter, the better. Probably 2.5 and above are the way to go. My fat bike has 3.8s on it and it is a lot of fun to ride out there.
Parking: on S2 road, you’ll see a sign by the road marking where to turn into the desert. There is a large parking lot there. 2 roads go off from the parking lot. Look for this sign below when you’re parked and take that road. Pedal away the day. It’ll be about 45 minutes to an hour before you reach the top/high point of the road. From there, it’s cross-country riding.
Stay “straight” on it and you’ll eventually end up at “the squeeze.”
Unfortunately, the squeeze is not what it used to be. There’s an easy roller line to the right (when you’re coming down/left as you look at this photo) that takes away some of the pucker factor of yesteryore. Oh well.
Keep going farther out into the desert from there. Eventually, you’ll end up at the end of the road.
The view from the very end of the road reveals that the desert goes on and on. Alas, getting down the cliff/rock/boulder-fall isn’t really possible with a bike, so you’ll have to turn around at this point. If you have ropes, it likely could be done/would be safer. You might check a map to see if the pathway below is in wilderness.
Other considerations: Pack enough water, meaning more than you think you need. Winter is desert riding season. October can still be quite hot. Summer isn’t advisable, unless you’re doing a night ride. My favorite months are December-February, stretching into March. Spring wildflowers can be spectacular in the desert.
More other considerations: Stagecoach Trails is on S2, very near the turn off for Pinyon Mountain Road, which is about 4.5 miles from the “scissors crossing” on Route 78. It is a campground/RV resort of sort that has food/general store, pizza, a deli, coffee. Yes, stop in before/after your ride and fuel up/hydrate, and also to support a local business. They do allow for overnight parking, as well. $10/night, plus tax, likely means that your vehicle is safe, not that I’m saying Pinyon Mountain Rd. parking area isn’t safe. Stagecoach is super important as an oasis when on longer bikepacking trips. Be sure to check their hours/days open.
If you’re not from this area/region, and if you’re looking for a winter riding getaway/destination, put Borrego on your list. Weekdays are far less visited. If it’s a super duper wildflower season, stay away on the weekends. Traffic might drive you mad!
I’ll say it again: Bikepacking.
And if you’re traveling through the town of Julian to get out to the desert, stop off and support 2 breweries that have true legendary San Diego craft beer families at their helms.
Hi James. I love Anza Borrego and have been wanting to take my fat bike out there for a ride. I checked this trail out (Pinyon Mountain Rode) and it says it 17 miles in one direction with about 2500 feet of elevation gain. Did you ride it in both directions and if so, how long did it take you? Loved the story, keep up the good work.
I goofed with a few typos and didn't have enough coffee in me, hence "BLM" in the original post, which is inaccurate.