Travel to California’s Grand Canyon in the Anza Borrego desert to have your mind blown 🤯. Narrow paths carve through the rugged, sharp hills of the Borrego Badlands. You can soak in views of the gorgeous badlands at Font’s Point.
After seeing badlands all over the US, including Badlands National Park, I have to say that this is one of the best singular viewpoint 👀 of this natural formation. With sharp edges and hills that seem to extend for miles, this landscape looks like a different planet.
If you are visiting Anza Borrego, then you need to add Fonts Point to your bucket list. Read further for a comprehensive guide to this breathtaking spot including how to get to Fonts Point, when to go, and what to bring 🎒.
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Table of Contents
Fonts Point Details
What is Fonts Point
Fonts Point is a spectacular viewpoint that overlooks the Borrego Badlands in the desert. These badlands were formed by millions of years of water erosion. A long time ago the area was a met marshland 💦, but overtime it dried up. It’s crazy to see the formations that water has created. Looking at these badlands, is like taking a look back in time.
As you look over the badlands, you can see the different time periods in the layers of rocks. Scientists continue to discover fossils 🦴 in the layers of sediment and dirt. It is truly a wild natural formation to explore!
Once you get to Fonts Point, you’ll find various paths that follow the canyon’s edge. You can walk around to find the viewpoint that you like most. There’s truly no bad spot to choose. Fonts Point is one of the most beautiful panorama of badlands in the entire country!
Where is Fonts Point
Font’s Point is located in Anza Borrego Desert State Park 🌵 in San Diego County, California. It is about a 90 minute drive from Temecula and 2 hours from San Diego. So, it’s perfect for a Southern California weekend getaway.
This state park is the largest in California at more than 900 square miles protecting desert landscapes including palm oases 🌴, cacti covered mountains, and narrow slot canyons. One of the coolest areas is the badlands at Fonts Point.
Fonts Point is located just 20 minutes from the visitor center off of a dirt road in the park. It is one of the most popular places to see, but it is also one of the hardest points to get to. So, make sure to read below for directions 🗺 to these incredible badlands.
Best Time to go to Fonts Point
Time of Year
Like most areas of the desert, Anza Borrego can get extremely hot. So, the best time to visit this park is anytime from the late Fall to early Spring. Temperatures 🌡 are milder from the months of October through March. It’s a great time to get to this spot and take in the views.
In the spring, you can see flowers that pop up over the desert floor. But, there aren’t flowers 🌸 or fauna around Fonts Point. However, after you visit this point you can travel to other areas of the park to see the wonderful flowers.
Time of Day
The best time to visit is either early in the morning or late in the day. Mid-day has the highest temperatures and also direct sunlight, so it can be too much to visit. The crazy panoramas are beautiful at all times of day, so you can visit whenever.
Fonts Point is famous for the wonderful sunrises 🌅. The sun peaks out over the badlands and yellows, oranges, and reds reflect off of the badlands. There is also a softer light all over the hills, which looks great in photos.
Some people travel to Fonts Point to go stargazing 🤩, because of the clear skies in Anza Borrego. Just make sure to plan ahead if you plan on visiting there in the night time!
How to Get to Fonts Point
It can be very hard to find Fonts Point and even if you have it on a map you can still get lost. Also, it’s a very sandy road, so the park recommends that you only go there in a 4WD vehicle 🚙. But, don’t worry with these directions, you’ll find it easily.
If you’re using Google Maps, you should put in 📍 “Fonts Point Trail Junction.” From the visitor center, take Palm Canyon Drive for 6 miles and continue as it turns into Pegleg Road. Then, keep driving for 2 miles and it will turn into Borrego Salton Sea Way. From there, drive for 3.5 miles.
There is only a small sign indicating the road for Fonts Point Wash. You will take a right at that road and continue down the sandy dirt road for 4 miles. Just follow the tire tracks and the road that is packed down.
At the end of the road, there will be a sign towards Fonts Point Parking and you’ll have made it! Just walk from the parking up the hill to the crazy otherworldly landscapes 🪐.
However, if you do not have a 4WD vehicle, don’t worry. You can still see Font’s Point!
After you turn down Fonts Point Road, you can drive for about 2.5 miles before it gets very sandy. A lot of the first part of the road is hard packed. Our Ram Promaster actually made it 3 miles down the road. Once it gets too sandy, you can get out and walk the rest of the way 🚶♀️. It is a boring sandy walk, but it’s totally worth it!
Things to Know Before You Go
💵 Most of Anza Borrego Desert State park is free, which includes Fonts Point. However, if you park at the Visitor Center or Slot Canyon, then you will need to pay the day use fee, which is $10 per vehicle per day.
☀️ Anza Borrego is one of the driest areas in California. The mountains to the West block much of the bad weather. It can be extremely hot, so make sure to bring plenty of water.
⛺️ Luckily, Anza Borrego has hundreds of miles of free camping. You can dispersed camp as long as you are a car lengths from the main road. So, camp on the road to Fonts Point for easy access to the sunrise there.
🐍 There are rattlesnakes in Anza Borrego. If you see one, make sure to stay away from it and not bother it.
🦮 Pets are allowed in the park, but they are not permitted on any of the hiking trails. If you bring them, they must stay on a 6 foot leash. Dogs are allowed on the road there.
⚠️ The park recommends that you use a 4WD vehicle to get to Fonts Point. You should take proper precautions when driving this very sandy road. A tow out of there will cost $600.
🍃Always follow the Leave No Trace Principles. Leave nature looking better than you found it.
Packing Guide
If you have a 4WD vehicle and are driving to Fonts Point, then you do not need much. However, you still want to be prepared with the necessary supplies. Bring a shovel and treads in case your car gets stuck. Also, plenty of food, water, and sun protection ☀️.
Visitors that have to walk to Fonts Point should bring packs with supplies like water, sun protection, food, and a first aid kit. Although you don’t need hiking boots 🥾, it’s best to wear comfortable walking shoes to trek through the sand.
Packing List:
- Comfortable Hiking Boots
- Small Pack
- Bottle of Water
- Snacks and Food
- First Aid Kit
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Headlamp
- Hat to block sun
- Satellite phone
- Shovel
- Tire Treads
- Camera
You can find all my gear here!
Final Thoughts
Fonts Point is one of the most memorable points in Anza Borrego. Although it can be tricky to find, it’s definitely worth the trek. So, make sure to add it to your itinerary for your visit!
Let me know in the comments if you enjoyed this guide!
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