The best MTB trails in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

A quiet pull-off spot just off the highway, surrounded by tall pines and cooler air. The pond itself is small but scenic—a nice excuse to stop, stretch your legs, and enjoy a quick breather before continuing the climb. Not much traffic back here, so it feels like a peaceful break from the road.

Since 2020, Palm Canyon Trail—a multi-use trail—has seen a significant increase in users: hikers, equestrian and mountain bikers, including eBikes. Most of the trail crosses BLM and US Forest Service land. The Trail crosses private land as well as land owned by Agua Caliente. The properties the Tribe recently received as ancestral land back donations were offered to the Tribe. As a property owner with the right to regulate access to its land, the Agua Caliente chose to improve a portion of Palm Canyon Trail that is on its land—not federal land. The Tribe conducted trail maintenance work within its own property in the Indian Canyons for emergency access, security and safety for our hikers and other lawful users of the Trail. Why did it do this? Because it values its lands and prioritizes proper management of it. Unfortunately, one entitled business owner, [Dave Wood, owner of Bikes and Brews -tgk] who is unhappy over the fact that mountain biking and e-mountain biking is not allowed in this area is acting out by spreading false information, which is unnecessarily causing confusion in the community. His false narrative insultingly prioritizes his desire to financially profit from trespassing on Tribal lands, over the Tribe’s right to protect its property and its cultural resources. Tribal employees are now receiving “anonymous” threats promising more property destruction if tribal staff attempts to interfere with this illegal activity, which generates profits by organizing trail rides for groups of bikers who (unknowingly) trespass on a trail where that activity is not permitted. The Tribe has never permitted mountain biking on its land. The land acquired as land back donations is now Tribal land and consistent with our policy, mountain biking and eBikes are prohibited. Anyone on a mountain or eBike accessing the land is in trespass of Tribal lands. Trespassing on, and damaging, the property of another is never ok. We ask this business owner to ride his bicycle somewhere else where this activity is permitted.

The Palm Canyon Epic Trail is now closed to mountain biking. In April and June 2024 several landowners of wilderness areas donated their land to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indicans (ACBCI). The donated lands included important parts of the Palm Canyon Epic Trail. As part of ACBCI policy on land use, mountain bike travel is prohibited on these lands. Recently Margaret Park-Robinson, Chief Planning Officer of ACBCI released a statement concerning the closure of the PCE. She can be reached at 760-883-1326 or email: mpark@aguacaliente-nsn.gov I append the full statement to this comment. Tom Kohn ACBCI Statement on the PCE closure Since time immemorial, Agua Caliente and other Cahuilla have lived within the lands of the National Monument, including Palm Canyon. Since time immemorial, the Palm Canyon Trail has been a significant cultural and historical pathway for Cahuilla people. Since 2000, the National Monument was established despite concerns by Agua Caliente. The legislation directs the federal agencies (BLM & USFS) to consult with Agua Caliente. Since 2008, Palm Canyon and the portion of the trail was designated as a federal Wild & Scenic River by the US Forest Service despite concerns by Agua Caliente. continues in a following post...

The actual summit of Thomas Mountain is probably the most popular overlook along Thomas Mountain Road. The road is really popular for mountain biking and off-road driving. You can see into a number of different Wilderness areas from the different lookouts along the road.

This small seasonal pond in the Laguna Meadows is quite pretty, especially in the spring and early summer. It sits at the junction between Sunset Trail and Kemp Spur Trail, making it a good spot to pause and either continue your hike through the meadows or loop around to another trail.

Big Laguna Lake sits in the middle of the Laguna Meadows. It is a beautiful sight along the trail, surrounded by pine trees and with a view of the Laguna Mountains in the distance.

This smaller lake in the Laguna Meadows near the campground usually fills after snow melt and heavier rain. Aside from that it is dry for most of the year, though, so don't be surprised if you don't see a lake where you see it on the map! If you catch it full, it is a very pretty sight along the meadows. But even when dry, you can see some cool rock formations here.

This is one of the three campsites available at Lake Cuyamaca. You can choose between RV or tent camping, and they provide electric and water hookups, as well as bathrooms and hot showers. Whether you're planning a day trip or an extended stay of up to two weeks, be sure to make a reservation if you plan to stay overnight. https://www.campspot.com/book/lakecuyamaca