Vista del Malpais - Anza Borrego, CA

After spending most of our day hunting for the elusive Pumpkin Patch, we accidentally stumbled upon Vista del Malpais. Even though it is not too far from Fonts Point, Vista del Malpais is the lesser-known of the two viewpoints. They’re both overlooking the Borrego Badlands. Each of them has its own unique features. Fonts Point is more impressive because it has a higher vantage point. Vista del Malpais is like a timid younger sister, beautiful for those who appreciate its quietness. The view is not as impressive as Fonts Point, however, you get 360 views of the surrounding badlands. You can also hike down to the wash below if you know which way to go.

(Note: OHVs are NOT allowed in Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Don’t mistake dirt washes for OHV areas. You need to go to the neighboring Ocotillo Wells for OHV areas.)

STATS:

Where:
Thimble Trailhead Coordinates: 33°18’09.5″N 116°11’52.8″W
Parking Coordinates: 33°15’38.4″N 116°11’48.1″W

Parking:
Plenty of parking

Fees:
It’s free

Restrooms:
There are no restrooms.

Distance:
A short walk to the viewpoint from the parking lot. If you want to hike in from S-22, it’s 9 miles R.T.

Elevation:
About 1000ft if you hike all the way in

Level: Easy

Estimated Completion Time:
The drive-in takes about 30 minutes. You can spend from 15 minutes to however long you want to stay at Vista del Malpais.

Ideal Weather:
Calm days. It can get very windy here.

Ideal Time:
Sunsets and sunrises are the best time to be here. It is also a great spot for stargazing or to see a full moon.

Dog-friendly:
All trails that are accessible by OHVs are dog-friendly in Anza Borrego, however, they are not allowed on trails.

THE ADVENTURE:

There are multiple ways to get to Vista del Malpais through a network of scenic 4WD roads that twist their way through dry sandy washes. However, the shortest route to get here is by Thimble Trail Road. This road is about 12.5 miles from Christmas Circle in Borrego Springs, on the right-hand side. It is located on Route S-22, just before mile marker 32. If you want to hike to Vista del Malpais, you can park your car at the beginning of the road. There is plenty of parking. We enjoyed offroading in our jeep so we opted for driving there instead. (The map above shows where Vista del Malpais is. The route is an orange line)

Thimble Trail Road is quite well maintained for it’s being a 4WD road. Even so, we recommend using 4WD or at least high-clearance vehicles for this drive. This route follows Thimble Trail Road as it snakes around the vast desert plain that rests against the rugged mountain backdrop. The trail goes up a few hills before meeting up with Short Wash Road. Some of the hills drop off kind of suddenly on the other side so be sure to take it slow just in case anyone is coming up the other side. Once you reach Short Wash Road You’ll want to turn left and follow the wash between the canyons. After a short distance, you’ll come up to another split. There are small metal signs there pointing towards your destination. From here, make a right to follow the arrow for Vista del Malpais. You’ll eventually reach the end of the road. This is the parking area for Vista del Malpais.

From the parking area, there’s a small trail that you can follow to the top of the ridgeline at Vista del Malpais. The view up here is beautiful. Unlike Fonts Point, you can see Borrego Badland’s signature wrinkle ridgelines on both sides of the trail. The rock colors here seemed richer than that of Fonts Point. The best thing is, you’re probably the only one out here most of the time. It’s pretty awesome to have this entire view to yourself. And if you’re feeling adventurous, you can actually hike down to the wash below. Once you’re done, head back the way you came from.

Don’t forget to stop by Fonts Point if you have time to see the complete view of this gorgeous Badlands. Another cool offroad spot is the Pumpkin Patch. If you’re up for some hiking, Wind Caves trail will take you to some neat wind caves. On the way there, don’t forget to stop by our favorite slot canyon hike. Before you leave, also make sure to explore the awesome giant metal creatures of Galleta Meadows. If you’re up for more adventure, you are just outside the Salton Sea, don’t forget to check out 10 things to do in Salton Sea, Salvation Mountain or Slab City Adventure.

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