Moonlight Canyon Trail
Moonlight Canyon Trail offers an easy-to-moderate 2.2 mile desert hike in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park with a section that travels through a short, sheltered slot canyon that captures morning and late-afternoon light in dramatic ways. The route follows a mix of sandy washes and narrow passageways carved by centuries of flash floods, with rugged rock walls that rise on both sides. Because this trail sits within the Agua Caliente County Park area, it’s accessible, family-friendly, and makes a great add-on to a day of exploring the surrounding desert.
Trail Details
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Trail Type | Combination, loop |
| Length | 2.2 miles |
| Elevation Gain/Loss | 25 feet / -25 feet |
| Trailhead Coordinates | 32.9558, -116.3056 |
| Location | Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California |
| Best Season | Fall through spring (Gets very hot in summer) |
Getting to Moonlight Canyon Trail
Moonlight Canyon Trail begins inside Agua Caliente County Park, located off County Route S2 in the southern section of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. From San Diego, take I-8 east to the Sunrise Highway exit, then continue north before connecting to Old Highway 80 and eventually S2. The park entrance is well signed.
Parking is available in the day-use lot near the campground entrance. Day-use fees apply. Because this trail originates within a county campground, expect more visitors on weekends and holidays. Restrooms, water, and shaded picnic areas are available, making it a convenient option for families or those new to desert hiking.
The Trail
The loop begins on a well-marked path adjacent to the campground and quickly leads into a sandy wash lined with ocotillo, brittlebush, and other hardy desert shrubs. As you continue, the canyon walls tighten and rise, forming the heart of Moonlight Canyon. These walls cast shifting shadows that give the trail its name, especially during the cooler morning and evening hours when light angles are low.
The slot section is short but scenic, offering easy scrambling over small boulders and dry streambeds. After passing through the narrowest stretch, the canyon opens into a broader wash. The trail curves gently back toward the campground, completing the loop.
Wildlife sightings may include quail, jackrabbits, and—if you’re out early—bighorn sheep in the surrounding hills. Spring brings a chance for wildflower blooms following wet winters.
This is an easy hike suitable for most visitors, but hikers should still carry water and be mindful of desert temperatures. The trail is exposed outside the canyon’s narrowest section.
