Coyote Canyon Road — Anza-Borrego Desert Spring Run via Collins Valley
Desert creek crossings through Anza's old canyon.
Coyote Canyon is the real Anza-Borrego — not the paved overlook version. The road drops into Collins Valley from the north off Borrego Springs Road and immediately starts threading through tamarisk and desert willow alongside Coyote Creek, a rare perennial stream in the Colorado Desert. You’ll cross the creek repeatedly — anywhere from 12 to 20 times depending on water levels — and the canyon walls close in tight through the middle narrows near Salvador Canyon junction. This was part of Juan Bautista de Anza’s 1776 overland route to Alta California, and the desert palm oases along the creek make it feel like you’ve earned something when you reach them.
Lower Coyote Canyon is open October 1 through May 31 — it closes in summer to protect bighorn sheep breeding habitat, and that closure is enforced. A stock 4WD with high clearance handles it fine in dry conditions, but check water levels after any rain because creek crossings can get axle-deep fast. No permit needed. Fuel and supplies in Borrego Springs, 15 miles south. Cell service is gone once you drop into the canyon. Dispersed camping is allowed throughout the state park backcountry with a free permit from the park. This route rewards patience — go slow, watch for bighorn on the canyon walls, and don’t rush the creek crossings.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance |
| Surface | Mixed, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 27 mi / 43.5 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3200 ft |
| Best season | October-May |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Borrego Springs, CA |
| Land manager | Anza-Borrego Desert State Park |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Anza-Borrego Desert State Park Road & trail conditions |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Tacoma handle Coyote Canyon without modifications?
Yes — a stock high-clearance 4WD like a 4Runner or Tacoma is the minimum and will get through under normal conditions. The creek crossings are shallow but numerous, and soft sand sections require 4WD low; a 2WD or street-clearance SUV will get stuck.
When is Coyote Canyon open, and are there seasonal closures?
The canyon closes March 1 through June 30 every year to protect the Peninsular bighorn sheep during lambing season — no exceptions. Best window is October through February; summer temps regularly push 110°F and make the route genuinely dangerous.
Do you need a permit to drive or camp in Coyote Canyon?
No permit is required to drive the route, but you're inside Anza-Borrego Desert State Park the entire time. Dispersed camping is allowed in the canyon; a California State Parks day-use or camping fee may apply depending on where you stop — check current conditions at abdsp.org.
How serious are the creek crossings, and what's the hardest section?
There are 12+ crossings of Coyote Creek through Collins Valley — most are axle-deep or less in a normal season, but after heavy rain they rise fast and can become impassable. The upper narrows section is the tightest spot; rock walls close in and you lose your bailout options, so check road conditions at abdsp.org before you commit.
Is there any cell service in the canyon, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
There is zero cell service for the entire 27 miles — plan accordingly and tell someone your itinerary. Borrego Springs is the nearest town with fuel, roughly 5 miles from the lower trailhead; top off there because the next reliable gas is 30+ miles away in any direction.
Trail track
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