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We took our van to do some quiet camping in the desert. Borrego Palm Canyon Campground is a place where we enjoyed the night sky and beautiful views.
But something was out there lurking in the middle of the night, under the stars. So you’ll want to read what happened to us before you go!
I’ll tell you about our creepy experience, what to know and expect, and share some personal photos from our stay. Maybe you’ll have a story to tell after visiting too.
Getting There
This was really one of our first legit overnight trips in our van. We traveled to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
We made the dire mistake of traveling at night and not booking a site ahead of time.
Because we didn’t want to fight traffic on the I-15, we left late. The moonlight guided us through the desert.
We arrived at 8 p.m. In the winter, the desert was really dark and cold at night.
So if you travel at night, you won’t find street lighting. This desert is a Dark Sky Park, so we had to use our high beams while traveling on the road.
Staying at Borrego Palm Canyon Campground
The California State Parks system operates Borrego Palm Canyon Campground. This campsite is open year-round.
However, after speaking to a staff member, she said some sites close during the summer. It’s way too hot!
Reservations
You can make a reservation from October 1 to April 30 online. While staying in the winter, we did not make a reservation.
We paid the campsite fee when we arrived. Then we drove around searching for a spot.
All spots were taken except for the one we pulled into. Whew, lucky! We should have checked ahead for openings.
After parking, we walked around and saw that some sites were reserved for many days.
Campsites
The campground had plenty of open spots without hookups. Our van’s water line wasn’t connected, and we could have winged it.
But we took a spot with a full hookup. We had a spacious, level spot with a vast desert view.
Besides the water and electricity access, we had a fire ring. We didn’t have firewood, so we didn’t start a fire.
Quiet, Dark Nights
Amid darkness, we set up all our stuff as tumbleweeds bounced across the landscape. The campground was pretty quiet.
After eating, we searched for the bathrooms. Anza-Borrego Desert is dark at night.
The moon cast some light, but we used flashlights. I couldn’t help but think I saw some shadows moving.
Then we took pictures of the night sky, we felt the urge to whisper. You really could have heard a pin drop.
The desert got frigid at night, and the stars twinkled in the clear sky. The moon glowed over the land, highlighting the palm trees.
We used a small space heater that pumped out lots of warm air. With the down blankets, it got hot.
A Bump in the Night
I eventually fell asleep, but I woke up in the middle of the night. Something rocked the van.
At first, I thought it may have been an animal. But that would have been a huge animal. Or a person…
We didn’t have our security cameras set up then, so you can bet I was lying there with eyes wide open for a while.
The RVs and trucks started their engines between 3 and 4 a.m. and woke me up. Otherwise, I slept well.
In the morning, I looked for animal prints on the ground.
A few animals live in the Anza-Borrego desert, such as bobcats, mountain lions, coyotes, and snakes. The only ones big enough to rock the van could be a bighorn sheep or deer.
I found some hoof prints, but not near the van. But I also saw some shoe prints that were not ours.
And both looked pretty fresh. Hmmm…
Clean Facilities
In the morning, the sun glowed over the land. That was when I saw how clean the facilities were.
We ate breakfast against the mountainous backdrop. The wooden picnic table had not one smudge of dirt on it.
For a state campground, the place looked great and was very well-maintained. We found clean bathrooms and showers.
You’ll need tokens to shower, but they don’t cost much.
The ranger told me these tokens only work at Anza-Borrego Desert campgrounds. You can’t use them at other locations.
I told him that California needs a system so the tokens work at all the state campgrounds. He said I had a great idea!
We ended up with extra tokens, as they have no refunds. I suppose we’ll use them on a return trip.
Also, there was no line to use the bathrooms or showers. What a relief.
Travel Notes
On another trip, we stopped here during the summer. I wanted to see if anyone was camping.
To my surprise, many tent campers picnicked and hung out in the heat. I didn’t expect to see so many people outside in the sweltering hot conditions.
The staff had told me that during the summer, some undeveloped and developed sites without hookups remain open.
There’s a lot of dispersed camping in the park, so that’s always an option.
No matter where you stay in the desert, be sure to bring lots of water. When we camp in the winter, the days can still heat up with intense sun.
Final Thoughts
Luckily, finding a camping spot around here isn’t as hard as finding one in other national parks. Borrego Palm Canyon Campground is a quiet desert escape for van camping.
And maybe when we return, we’ll figure out the mystery behind what happened during the night. We’ve got our cameras set up now!
More Travel Adventures
I have more related posts on my blog. You might want to check them out.
- For more things to do in Anza-Borrego, I’ve got you covered.
- Another place we like to stay is at Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort with a fun Western theme.
- We took a road trip to Slab City in Niland, and it’s not too far of a drive if you want to see upcycled art.
- Glamis Sand Dunes is a golden landscape and on the way to Slab City as well.
I’d love to hear about your travel adventures and stories!
Originally published: September 12, 2024
