A couple days ago I did a review on the campground at Anza Borrego Desert and how you can camp for free. To read that review, click here.

We also did an amazing hike when we were out there. I highly recommend doing this hike if you are in the area. I love the desert but I have never actually been on a desert hike where I came across a small river and a huge canyon of palm trees!

It was unbelievable to see all of this life flourishing under the hot desert sun. It was magical really. Around every corner there were different plants, animals and then finally the canyon filled with palm trees. It was really unique.

The hike was called the Palm Canyon Hike and was about 6.5 miles R/T. It is worth it but make sure you bring a ton of water with you! It can get very, very hot. Take extra precautions if you are headed out any time during the summer.

Here are some photos from the hike.

(Someone decided to start the trail off with a smiley face!)

(This picture may not seem like much but remember these plants are blooming under the hot, arid desert sun – it’s amazing!)

(Part of the hiking path.)

(A beautiful, blooming Octillo cactus.)

(Water in the desert! What??!!)(The really cool palm canyon. Looks like it should be on a scene in Lost.)

Subscribe to our feed & share the love!

Did you like this article? If so, consider retweeting below or stumbling it. Better yet sign up for our RSS feed OR get the goodies delivered directly to your inbox! Consider yourself hugged.

*Please remember all photos on this website are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me to ask first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!

A few weeks ago we took a hike through the Anza Borrego desert. We ended up there by accident but it was awesome because it was right during the blooming of the desert wild flowers. I have always wanted to see the desert flowers and I was not disappointed!

We took a day hike called the Palm Canyon Hike (6.5 miles R/T) through the desert which led to a huge canyon filled with palm trees.

Palm trees, flowers and a flowing riving in the middle of the dry, arid desert! It was awesome.

I love the desert and this state park was really beautiful!

However one thing that makes it even better – is that you can Camp for free!

We did camp here and I actually forgot to take pictures in order to do a proper review but I’ve included some basic info below:

We found out about the free sites after we already paid which was a bummer! Here’s the brief rundown on the spot we camped at:

The site was $25/night, showers were about $2 and the campground was the beginning of the Palm Canyon Hike, which was really convenient. Overall, it was a really nice spot.

BUT,

if you visit the park I recommend stopping in the visitors center and asking them where the free campgrounds are. Some of them sounded quite nice and I remember one in particular was just right across the street from a paid, private campground and I was told you could go over and use their showers. I think the name of that one was Yaqui Well but I am not 100% sure. The free sites are primitive and I don’t think they have water but I believe they have chemical toilets. If you want to have a fire you have to have a metal container that you bring with you. I was told that most people use the top of a tin trash can for their fire. Again, the visitors center will be able to tell you exactly what to expect and where to go.

We had planned to head back another time and take advantage of the free camping sites (and take pics for a review) but we simply haven’t had the time to get back out there.

The other thing I want to note is that besides the designated free camping sites you can actually camp for free anywhere in Anza Borrego state park.

Anywhere.

You can simply pull off the side of the road and camp. It is the only state park in California that allows this. It’s pretty old school and kind of cool if you think about it.

If you’ve read my other posts about the high costs associated with camping in California state parks, you’ll know this is pretty amazing!

I definitely recommend checking out Anza Borrego. It is a beautiful spot and it’s only about 2 hours from San Diego. It’s also a perfect stopover if you are on the way to Joshua Tree since it is just about halfway.

I will have some photos of our hike that I will post in the next day or so and that will give you an idea of just how beautiful the area is.

I also posted some photos of desert flowers last week you can look at but for now I will leave you with these funny pictures of Randy strutting his stuff on the hike.

Did you like this article? If so, consider retweeting below or stumbling it. Better yet sign up for our RSS feed OR get the goodies delivered directly to your inbox! Consider yourself hugged.

*Please remember all photos on this website are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me to ask first because I do love to share and I would be flattered. Thanks!

(The ocean view from the campground.)

NOTE: To read more tips on getting a good site and saving 1/2 off of your rate, read our other post about saving $$ while camping at California state beach campgrounds.

Carlsbad State Beach campground is really a nice place to camp in California. As far as I can tell it’s pretty laid back, filled mainly with retiree’s and families. We’ve camped here a couple times now and I’ve yet to see any big parties going on.

The campground layout is a bit boring – it’s basically one straight road with spots on either side. It’s not a private campground by any means – you will be surrounded by other campers.

The Carlsbad campground is located on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the waves are really loud and will lull you to sleep which is quite nice. The sunsets are beautiful.

This campground has a store, an education area for kids and surfboard rentals! This is a pretty big surf spot so rent a board and try your luck. There are several staircases leading from the campground to the beach. The beach is also perfect for swimming & just walking along the shore.

This campground does not have electricity at any of the sites. If you need to plug in your computer you’ll have to bring a chair into one of the bathrooms or into the laundry room.

They do charge an extra $12 to keep an extra car at the site but there is a large residential area right outside the campground where you can park an extra car if you need to.

Is this the right campground for you?

Carlsbad campground is a great place to camp if you want to relax, read and sit on the beach for a few days. It’s great for families and retiree’s. If you’re looking for a place to camp and party you will be better off down the street at San Elijo State Beach (which I am writing a review up for next week). This campground feels a bit more private and it is definitely a lot quieter than San Elijo.

Know before you go:

This campground fills up fast! If you’re going to be here on the weekend make sure to make your reservation 48 hrs in advance. If you drive in, you will most likely not get a site.

Carlsbad Campground Fees:

$35/ inland site  $50/ocean site  $12/day for an additional car (yes a trailer is a car), showers $1 for 3 minutes

Did you like this article? If so, consider retweeting below or stumbling it. Better yet sign up for our RSS feed OR get the goodies delivered directly to your inbox! Consider yourself hugged.
*Please remember all photos on this website are copyrighted and property of BeersandBeans.com, NarikosNest.com & Bethany Salvon. Please do not use them without my permission. If you want to use one of them please contact me to ask first because I do love to share. Thanks!