Anza Borrego Desert State Park - California State Parks - State of ...

Final Report – October 2001
park visit has. Make it very clear that this in not just a pile of sand - every footprint stays where it
is for a very long time before rain and wind wash it away.
This is a very special place and I truly believe it is for most people a place to find quiet, peace,
solitude and a unique nature experience. Don't take this away by developing campgrounds and
trails; people (especially I) will hate you for this. Visitors should know that this is not a wilderness
and not a city park. I love to come here rather than Joshua Tree NP (although that's unique in
it's own right) because of the unique geology and ecology - don't change that only because Anza
- Borrego has transitioned from a rather obscure identity known by locals only to State Park
status. Don't make it a second Yosemite! The "primitive" = non-developed condition of A-B
make it special and contribute to its unique characters.
Would be interested in obtaining collecting permits for rock sample in the future.
Wonderful setting very peaceful
Well managed- so peaceful and quiet. We'll be back next year.
We would like to see more camping facilities in the park.
We were walking in Little Blair Valley yesterday, and our goal was to see the meteors and
pictographs. We saw no signage for the meteors and the signs for the pictographs were too few
and far between. At forks in the road they were often missing just when they were most needed.
Including distance would be helpful and logical. We never saw either.
We really like being able to camp nearly anywhere. You could probably provide more
information on roads suitable for mountain bikes. Hiking trail info is also a bit scanty and trail
markings on some trails are missing. Keep it primitive and do not allow OHV use!
We love the shelter covers at Bow Willow, would like to see more at other campgrounds.
We have stayed at Bow Willow once or twice a year for over 10 years. It is a more enjoyable
experience when there is a campground host to keep the area clean and keep a lid on
inappropriate activity such as loud noise, excessive generator use, free - ranging dogs, etc.
Also, I disagree with the "free" use of developed campgrounds as happened this year. I think
people should pay for extra cars and dogs and the money used to maintain the park.
I hope those ATM machines for overnight stays and dog use fees do not come back.
We are fortunate to be retired and can access the park features anytime - though? Must be here
on weekends - midweek use should be encouraged to reduce weekend impact.
Very pleased to take away the fee.
This park looks and feels great. Change as little as possible.
This is a wonderful, natural park! I do not want it developed any more than necessary!
The priority of the park should be of protecting native plants and wildlife. Increasing recreational
facilities, developed campgrounds, bathrooms, etc. diminishes the experience of a pristine
environment. Off-road vehicle recreation is destructive, wasteful, and extremely unnecessary. It
should be outlawed completely, as it contributes nothing to a healthy desert experience. This
should be a place for appreciation of the natural environment, not an amusement park.
The major threat by cougars to the big horn sheep should immediately be dealt with by the
aggressive removal of a large percentage of the cats until the sheep population can stabilize or
increase. Also threats to the large underground water in Borrego Springs should be confronted
directly and stopped since the lowering of all the aquifers are the true threat to the overall
ecosystem (such as the increasing threat of mistletoe to weakened mesquite and others).
The less developed here the better - priority should be to protect and preserve natural habitats of
plants and wildlife in a fragile ecosystem.
Survey is too long- you are not going to get accurate info past two pages. Get what you really
want to know. Get professional research (survey) help.
Survey is too long.
Should be allowed to build fires if there is a large clearing.
Please keep the park as natural and wild as possible. Allow open-fire camping anywhere. If
there are more campgrounds developed, please space the sites out so you can't see and hear
others. I like to hike and camp in a natural and wild setting with solitude from others. If you are
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