I want to take my niece star gazing on a Sunday/ Monday. I was planning on getting a room nearby and driving to the park to see the sunset and see some stars later on. I've never been, so I had a few questions. How late can I go into the park? What is the best spot for star gazing that wouldn't require me to drive on roughly roads ( I drive a Honda Civic). Sorry of these are dumb questions. Just want to make it a good experience for my niece and go in with some knowledge 😀
FYI - after May 31 all campsites become FCFS (no reservations) and because it's scorching out there it will be hardly occupied.
I would drive into the Palm Canyon campground (next to visitor center), find an unoccupied site and enjoy it for a few hours. If you want to make it official, drop $10 or whatever in the drop box and the campsite is legally yours for the night.
No wonder I couldn't reserve any. haha. good to know! Thank you for the info! I'll probably do just that. Drive out there and just find a spot. I didn't know how likely I would be to find a spot with no reservation. I'll try that campground. Thanks again for the info! 😀
PS - sites on the outer rim (I recall 104 and 106 being some) have these super cool stone huts with working fireplaces built by the WPA during the depression. Some of the best campsites in the county.
You guys could try renting one of the little cabins at the Agua Caliente hot springs campground right in the State Park! They have an outdoor and indoor pool there fed by the natural hot springs. It’s a great little campground and prime stargazing area at night.
Plus some very easy trails with great views (especially at sunset) accessible directly from the campground.
https://calihotsprings.com/loc/julian-ca/agua-caliente-county-park-hot-springs/
You don’t have to drive into the park itself to star gaze. The whole town of Borrego Springs is a dark sky area so they don’t have street lights and house lights to create light pollution.
As for sports, you could just hang out by the vistors center. There’s a nice interpretive loop there and it’s all paved. Some good easy trails from there if you want to hike beforehand. Just beware it will be very hot during the day.