Tamarisk Grove Campground sits at 775 feet elevation in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, offering 27 sites split between tent/RV spots and cabins. The campground provides flush toilets and showers, a rarity in the Colorado Desert. Sites run $5-70 per night depending on type. Proximity to roads brings road noise that cuts into the desert quiet.
Tamarisk Grove accommodates tent camping, RVs, and cabin stays, providing options for various camping styles.
Weather and SeasonsWinter and spring deliver the best camping weather, with moderate temperatures for hiking and clear skies at night. Summer heat regularly pushes past 100°F, making early morning and evening the only comfortable times outside. The desert gets around 6 inches of rain annually, so expect dry conditions year-round. Wind can pick up strong enough that reviewers recommend cabin stays over tents when it's forecast.
ElevationPerched at a comfortable 775 feet above sea level, the campground occupies a sweet spot in the desert's vertical landscape. This moderate elevation provides a perfect balance – high enough to catch cooling breezes and offer sweeping vistas, yet low enough to maintain the authentic desert experience complete with dramatic temperature swings and star-filled nights.
Natural Features and SceneryTamarisk trees shade the campground itself, creating a green pocket in an otherwise exposed landscape. Beyond the sites, ocotillo and agave populate the surrounding terrain. The Colorado Desert here is carved into washes and alluvial fans, with jagged mountain ridges visible from camp. Wildlife sightings are common enough that reviewers mention them regularly. After dark, the desert sky opens up for stargazing when you're away from camp lights.
Geological RegionTamarisk Grove rests in the heart of the Colorado Desert, where ancient geological forces have sculpted a dramatic landscape of jagged mountains, sinuous washes, and sprawling alluvial fans. This dynamic terrain serves as a natural garden for the desert's most iconic plants – graceful ocotillo swaying in the breeze and majestic agave standing proud against weathered rock formations. Each vista tells the story of millennia of wind, water, and time working together to create this otherworldly desert masterpiece.
Scenic ViewsOffers sweeping views of the desert hills and rugged terrain. Night views of stars are reputedly excellent due to minimal light pollution.
Lodging & AccommodationsRustic cabins are available, which include wooden sleeping platforms for up to eight people, though most users recommend fewer occupants for comfort. Cabins are equipped with basic amenities like shelves, a small table, and chairs.
Programs & ActivitiesPrograms include Junior Ranger activities, guided hikes, and interpretive talks held at the nearby Visitor Center.