Trail Overview
A scenic four-wheel-drive trail through Anza-Borrego Desert State Park's sandy wash, leading to the breathtaking badlands overlook at Fonts Point.
Difficulty
The very wide, very sandy wash with parts that can be very deep sand requires four wheel drive, and airing down is highly recommended for maintaining traction. The wide wash makes navigation straightforward for most of the route, though the narrowing section approaching Fonts Point requires more attention. The deep sand sections demand momentum management, but the wide width gives room to find the best line.
History
Fonts Point is named after Father Pedro Font, a Franciscan missionary who served as the chaplain, chronicler, and cartographer on the historic 1775–1776 Spanish expedition led by Juan Bautista de Anza. Font described the expansive, fractured badlands visible from the overlook as "the sweepings of the earth" due to their barren and intensely eroded state.
Access Description
Four-wheel drive is mandatory due to deep, soft sand sections along the wash that frequently trap two-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles. Airing down tires is highly recommended for safety and traction. The wash is subject to temporary closures during and after heavy storms due to flash flooding hazards. Vehicles must remain on designated routes, and all vehicles must be highway-legal.
