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Anza-Borrego Self-Guided Nature Trails

Part of Hiking Trails, our guide to hiking trails across San Diego County, from city peaks to desert canyons.

State Parks lists five short Anza-Borrego nature trails: Cactus Loop (1-mile loop), Ehmuu-Morteros (half-mile), Elephant Tree (about a 1-mile loop), Narrows Earth (half-mile, about 30 minutes) and Yaqui Well (1.5 miles one way). Vehicle day use is $10.00. State Parks urges extreme caution in summer.Checked October 23, 2026.

5self-guided trails
0.5 to 1.5 milisted lengths
$10.00vehicle day use
Cactus LoopOne-mile loop, short but strenuous climb, uneven surface
'Ehmuu-MorterosEasy half-mile walk through a seasonal Kumeyaay village site, via the Blair Valley dirt road
Elephant TreeLevel loop of about one mile, reached by high-clearance four-wheel-drive from Split Mountain Road
Narrows EarthEasy half-mile walk, about 30 minutes, from Highway 78
Yaqui Well1.5 miles one way
Visitor CenterOct. 1 to May 31 daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; June 1 to Sept. 30 Sat, Sun, holidays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Day useVehicle $10.00
DogsPark-wide rule: campgrounds, designated park roads and the Visitor Center/Campground Trail
Who it suitsShort, easy trails by length; the source does not label them for kids
Official pageCalifornia State Parks: Anza-Borrego hiking

Heat

State Parks: “Please use EXTREME CAUTION if you choose to hike during the summer months.” It advises to “carry and DRINK plenty of water, wear protective clothing, and avoid the heat of the day.” Rattlesnake text is not on this page.

About ‘Ehmuu-Morteros

The trail passes a seasonal Kumeyaay village site. We describe it only by what the State Parks page says. Please treat the site respectfully. Our Visitor Center page has park information.

What We Could Not Verify

  • Current road status to Elephant Tree and Blair Valley is not confirmed. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park can confirm.
  • Per-trail street addresses and coordinates are not confirmed.
  • Rattlesnake guidance is not on the page we read.

More in Hiking Trails

FAQ

Which trails are shortest?

Per State Parks, Ehmuu-Morteros and Narrows Earth are each about a half mile.

Sources

  1. California State Parks: Anza-Borrego hiking
  2. California State Parks: Anza-Borrego

Checked October 23, 2026 by It’s San Diego. Cite this page: It’s San Diego (itssandiego.com), checked October 23, 2026. Free to quote with a link to this page; tables are licensed CC BY 4.0.