Fonts Point
Hiking Trails • Off-Road & ATV Trails
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  • PilotAdventureGuy
    Tustin, California6 contributions
    Beautiful overlook with endless sights
    Visited on April 6, 2020. This trail was closed shortly after due to the virus hype. Directions: drive north through Borrego Springs until you get to the S22 (just on the north side of the town). Turn right onto S22 (Palm Canyon Dr, which then turns into Pegleg Rd as it diverts back north, before becoming Borrego Salton Seaway when it hangs back east). Follow that until you see a small sign on the right hand side of the highway, "Font's Point". Turn off here. There is also a blue "CALL BOX" phone and sign about 100 feet away, much easier to see that. Distance: about 4 miles one way, all sandy wash basin. I drove this in a 2 wheel drive pickup with aggressive off road tires and very low tire pressure. We stopped half way there due to the thick sand. I highly recommend a 4 wheel drive vehicle. We parked at 2 miles on some hard sand and hiked the rest. It was actually nice to hike some as it allows you to see up close the animal tracks, desert plants, sediment layers, and even take in the peacefulness of the silence. Its a sandy, dry, sunny, windy hike so be prepared with lots of water, good shoes, hat, and sun protection. We just followed the wash up all the way to the point and enjoyed the views. There is a loop turn around road at the top that is hard dirt if you drive that far. The point is elevated as to give 360 degree views of the valley, airport, towns, Salton sea, badlands, and mountains. Signs are posted for no droning, as to respect the silence of the area.
    Visited April 2020
    Written April 8, 2020
  • 552mm1
    Edgewood, Kentucky4 contributions
    Blown away!
    As a photographer I always seek out the best sunset spots and this one did not disappoint. In fact, I would rate it in the top 5 ever. Get there early as the shadows across the Borrego Badlands are stunning and the golden hue plays out over an extended period. There are mountains an all sides of the overlook and if you get some clouds in the sky just sit back and be amazed! The sandy dirt road back to the overlook is 4 miles and quite washboarded but a 2WD vehicle will make it if you take it slow. The evening we were there we stayed for two hours and there were many people that came out.
    Visited April 2022
    Written April 14, 2022
  • Bill W
    1 contribution
    Amazing Place
    That sandy wash will change from week to week and may be passable with 2wd at times and not at all others. If you are very experienced driving on this type of 'road' and do not mind beating your car up a bit you MAY be able to make it. I have done it a few times in a Hyundai accent, but I needed to go pretty fast and not slow down for ANY reason. I also had people to pull me out if need be. It is an amazing place and a must see but do not try going out here with 2wd. Note: it is kinda funny passing 4x4's in the wash and being the only car in the parking lot...
    Visited March 2022
    Written September 6, 2022
  • Mcation
    San Diego, California5 contributions
    San Diego County’s Finest Natural Landscape
    It’s 4-5 miles off road on a fairly easy sandy trail. The view above the badlands down to the Salton Sink is mindboggling. Created by the wild meandering of the Colorado River from Ice Age rampaging flood waters. You realize the Salton Sea has been a creation of nature many times over. Flooding and drying. Each flood eroded the badlands further. The silted river channel would bust and the lake would drain into the Gulf of California again. Fonts Point allows you to take it all in, and see this amazing badlands area sculpted not by gradual wind and rains like thought in the past, but catastrophic floods that silted the river channel diverted waters into the Coachella and Borrego Valleys until the river broke through and drained the lake again and again. You can see the Salton Sea to the East and on clear winter mornings the Gulf of California to the south. My favorite landscape in Southern California.
    Visited February 2023
    Traveled with friends
    Written April 7, 2023
  • todesto
    Fullerton, California4 contributions
    OMG. What a view!
    I never knew California would have this kind of view at all. I love the drive to get there (off road for 2 miles is plus). Make sure to go there with 4X4 or AWD SUV. Sedan is not recommended, you can get there but not recommended. The view is spectacular. You have to go there to see it, I cannot explain it. It's EPIC!
    Visited January 2020
    Written March 5, 2020
  • Eileen M
    1 contribution
    4 WHEEL DRIVE A MUST
    I felt like I should leave this review because NO ONE on here is mentioning it except for another very recent review. Nor does it mention it on the state park website. 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS A MUST to get to this point. Off the highway, Fonts point is a 4 mile drive through SOFT SAND. Not a dirt road. As a traveler who does her research, no where did it say it was necessary. We got stuck, had to get towed out and I have an SUV. Another vehicle got stuck in that same time we did, and the local tow guy (who was sooo nice) said it happens ALL the time. We made it 2 of the 4 miles before getting stuck, and there is NO cell service. Went at sunset, so we could have been stranded for the night if we hadn't run into helpful people who took us out to the road. Even at the entrance sign it just says "soft sand". The state should mark it better at the entrance. Hope to be able to come back to visit and see the beautiful sunset everyone is talking about. But ran into trouble this time that could have been worse!
    Visited October 2020
    Written November 2, 2020
  • BorregoSailor
    Borrego Springs, California401 contributions
    Simply a stunning once-in-a-lifetime view!
    This is one of those natural views that is stunning and well worth the effort. If you are an avid 4x4/off-roader, this a very simple drive. If you drive a Prius, you can still get there if you are willing to drive on a dirt road. Every time we visit there, there are a few Prius's and little street cars among the Jeeps and such. This place is beautiful at sunset in October-April. Realistically too hot even for the adventurous in the summer months (June-September). Pure natural beauty.
    Visited May 2016
    Traveled with family
    Written June 4, 2016
  • TravelingEgr
    Costa Mesa, California1,962 contributions
    Stunning view
    Font's Point is a special part of the Anza Borrego Desert State Park. It's part of the reason we bought our AWD Subaru. Some people will attempt the 4-mile (each way) dirt road without 4WD/AWD, but it's ill-advised. Take chairs and a picnic, then sit and watch the colors change at sunset. Spectacular!
    Visited September 2016
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 6, 2016
  • Rockhopper104
    79 contributions
    Worth the drive
    The drive to the point is 4 miles down a desert wash. The sand in places is quite deep but as long as you stick to the other vehicle tracks you should be OK - we were. Having said that we did have a 4x4 and we noticed that a group of people in two regular cars appear to have got stuck because their cars were parked about 1 mile from the end and they walked the rest. To be safe I'd recommend a 4x4.
    Visited June 2016
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 11, 2016
  • Ghel
    Redlands, California234 contributions
    Never Try Your LUCK with a 2WD
    We were the foolish ones to follow some misinformation from reviews to try using 2WD “slowly and maintain speed” Tried all mitigation efforts but just 0.5 miles off the trail head, FWD SUV LEXUS RX 330 Got stuck in deep sand. Tried the place a mat under the tires and shovel the sand but barely did not help. I have to push the car while my friend reverse back the poor SUV. Did this 3x before the suv made it safely back in the trailhead. I saw also another SUV “trying their luck” but went back after getting stuck in the sand. Someone said the middle part of the trail was somehow compact sand and less deep- also UNTRUE. We did not have a choice but to HIKE IT FROM 7:30 to 11 am under the glorious sun. Hike is good enough but do wear a proper hiking shoes and hiking poles saved my knees. Its only 8 miles but the deep sands made it more difficult to traverse. There is a junction in the middle of the trail that leads to “foot traffic only” The last section requires scrambling up the steep canyon. Be careful as it has lots of erosion and loose rock. The view of the badlands is massive. Check your footing. The edge can easily collapse given the soil quality. I think its more impressive if we were able to catch the sunrise or do it by sunset and do this hike in spring were there will be desert blooms. Saw the usual cholla cactus but ddnt spot other animals aside from the black beetle and fire ants.
    Visited October 2020
    Traveled with friends
    Written October 30, 2020
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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Mcation
San Diego, CA5 contributions
Feb 2023 • Friends
It’s 4-5 miles off road on a fairly easy sandy trail. The view above the badlands down to the Salton Sink is mindboggling. Created by the wild meandering of the Colorado River from Ice Age rampaging flood waters. You realize the Salton Sea has been a creation of nature many times over. Flooding and drying. Each flood eroded the badlands further. The silted river channel would bust and the lake would drain into the Gulf of California again. Fonts Point allows you to take it all in, and see this amazing badlands area sculpted not by gradual wind and rains like thought in the past, but catastrophic floods that silted the river channel diverted waters into the Coachella and Borrego Valleys until the river broke through and drained the lake again and again. You can see the Salton Sea to the East and on clear winter mornings the Gulf of California to the south. My favorite landscape in Southern California.
Written April 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

todesto
Fullerton, CA4 contributions
Jan 2020
I never knew California would have this kind of view at all. I love the drive to get there (off road for 2 miles is plus). Make sure to go there with 4X4 or AWD SUV. Sedan is not recommended, you can get there but not recommended. The view is spectacular. You have to go there to see it, I cannot explain it. It's EPIC!
Written March 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Eileen M
1 contribution
Oct 2020
I felt like I should leave this review because NO ONE on here is mentioning it except for another very recent review. Nor does it mention it on the state park website. 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS A MUST to get to this point. Off the highway, Fonts point is a 4 mile drive through SOFT SAND. Not a dirt road. As a traveler who does her research, no where did it say it was necessary. We got stuck, had to get towed out and I have an SUV. Another vehicle got stuck in that same time we did, and the local tow guy (who was sooo nice) said it happens ALL the time. We made it 2 of the 4 miles before getting stuck, and there is NO cell service. Went at sunset, so we could have been stranded for the night if we hadn't run into helpful people who took us out to the road. Even at the entrance sign it just says "soft sand". The state should mark it better at the entrance. Hope to be able to come back to visit and see the beautiful sunset everyone is talking about. But ran into trouble this time that could have been worse!
Written November 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BorregoSailor
Borrego Springs, CA401 contributions
May 2016 • Family
This is one of those natural views that is stunning and well worth the effort. If you are an avid 4x4/off-roader, this a very simple drive. If you drive a Prius, you can still get there if you are willing to drive on a dirt road. Every time we visit there, there are a few Prius's and little street cars among the Jeeps and such. This place is beautiful at sunset in October-April. Realistically too hot even for the adventurous in the summer months (June-September). Pure natural beauty.
Written June 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

TravelingEgr
Costa Mesa, CA1,962 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
Font's Point is a special part of the Anza Borrego Desert State Park. It's part of the reason we bought our AWD Subaru. Some people will attempt the 4-mile (each way) dirt road without 4WD/AWD, but it's ill-advised. Take chairs and a picnic, then sit and watch the colors change at sunset. Spectacular!
Written September 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rockhopper104
Hungerford79 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
The drive to the point is 4 miles down a desert wash. The sand in places is quite deep but as long as you stick to the other vehicle tracks you should be OK - we were. Having said that we did have a 4x4 and we noticed that a group of people in two regular cars appear to have got stuck because their cars were parked about 1 mile from the end and they walked the rest. To be safe I'd recommend a 4x4.
Written July 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ghel
Redlands, CA234 contributions
Oct 2020 • Friends
We were the foolish ones to follow some misinformation from reviews to try using 2WD “slowly and maintain speed”
Tried all mitigation efforts but just 0.5 miles off the trail head, FWD SUV LEXUS RX 330 Got stuck in deep sand. Tried the place a mat under the tires and shovel the sand but barely did not help. I have to push the car while my friend reverse back the poor SUV. Did this 3x before the suv made it safely back in the trailhead. I saw also another SUV “trying their luck” but went back after getting stuck in the sand. Someone said the middle part of the trail was somehow compact sand and less deep- also UNTRUE. We did not have a choice but to HIKE IT FROM 7:30 to 11 am under the glorious sun. Hike is good enough but do wear a proper hiking shoes and hiking poles saved my knees. Its only 8 miles but the deep sands made it more difficult to traverse. There is a junction in the middle of the trail that leads to “foot traffic only”
The last section requires scrambling up the steep canyon. Be careful as it has lots of erosion and loose rock.
The view of the badlands is massive. Check your footing. The edge can easily collapse given the soil quality. I think its more impressive if we were able to catch the sunrise or do it by sunset and do this hike in spring were there will be desert blooms. Saw the usual cholla cactus but ddnt spot other animals aside from the black beetle and fire ants.
Written October 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

melmarselle
Los Angeles, CA13 contributions
Sep 2018 • Friends
We went to watch the sunrise. Best time to go for sure! The views are spectacular and endless. Do not miss this while in Anza Borrego.
Written September 30, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

grip652
Collierville, TN772 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
There is a 4.5 mile road--mostly powdery dirt, but some washboard ruts, so make sure you have the right vehicle to get in and out. We did it in a standard car and made it, but had a dicey moment when we got stuck on the way out. The view is awe inspiring. The craggy mountains, gray valleys are very different from the tan, vegetation splotched hills we see from the road.
Written April 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David E
St. George, UT42 contributions
May 2016 • Solo
This is a great viewpoint, the highest point for a long way in every direction while oddly not seeming that high. The cliffs look down on a lifeless complex badlands stretching out into the distance. You do not need high clearance to drive there but you should have 4-wheel drive due to soft deep sand along the route. Otherwise it's still a worthwhile hike at the right time of year. Thick air pollution can ruin the view, otherwise i would give it 5 stars.
Written June 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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