2025 Anza-Borrego Desert Photo Contest Opens for Submissions November 1, 2024

The Anza-Borrego Foundation (ABF) has announced the start of submissions for the 2025 Anza-Borrego Desert Photo Contest, which opens on November 1, 2024.
Amateur and professional photographers alike are invited to capture the breathtaking beauty of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Submissions for the first round of the contest will be accepted online until December 10, 2024, and participants can upload up to 10 photos across seven categories.
The contest categories include People Enjoying the Park, Animals of Anza-Borrego Desert, Landscapes, Plants, Nightscapes, Black & White, and a special Cell Phone Photos category.
Photographers of all skill levels are encouraged to submit entries ranging from high-end camera shots to mobile phone captures. Photos may be from any year, allowing participants to showcase their previous visits to the park.
Located in Southern California, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in California and features a stunning array of landscapes, from rugged mountains to expansive desert plains.
It is known for its seasonal wildflower blooms, diverse wildlife, such as the bighorn sheep, and vibrant night skies, which make it a photographer’s paradise. The park’s dramatic scenery and unique ecosystems serve as the focal point of this annual contest, which aims to highlight the region’s natural beauty and environmental significance.
The Anza-Borrego Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of the park, hosts this contest to promote the connection between people and nature while raising awareness of conservation efforts.
Winning photographs will be featured on ABF’s website and social media, with winners receiving ABF memberships and other prizes. In addition, all online submissions will be eligible for the People’s Choice Award, voted on by the public.
ABF encourages photographers to responsibly capture the essence of the desert by adhering to Leave No Trace principles, ensuring that future generations can continue enjoying the park’s natural wonders. For those looking to refine their skills, ABF offers a Photography 101 video class led by contest judges (see video below), designed to help participants capture compelling images.
Submissions are open to all, and photographers are invited to share their vision of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, a place where the desert’s stark beauty tells a story of resilience and life.
For more information on how to enter, visit the Anza-Borrego Foundation’s event website and review the contest guidelines.