Truckhaven Hills

Truckhaven Hills sprawls across 90,000 acres of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, offering some of Southern California’s most challenging sand driving through a maze of washes, slot canyons, and badland formations. The area gets its name from the truck drivers who used to traverse these hills during the borax mining days, though today’s challenge comes from deep sand that can swallow a stock truck in minutes. Popular routes include the Sandstone Canyon loop and the technical slot canyon runs that require precise throttle control and perfect line choice.

This is moderate to difficult terrain depending on conditions — winter rains pack the sand firm, but summer heat creates bottomless traps that demand serious sand driving skills. Air down to 12-15 PSI, carry recovery boards and a shovel, and bring more water than you think you need. The park requires vehicles to stay in designated washes, but there’s hundreds of miles of legal routes to explore. Best season is November through March when temperatures stay reasonable and the desert blooms. Camp at nearby Tamarisk Grove or go primitive in the open desert zones.