Friends Of Ocotillo Wells

05/31/2026

Seasonal Closure Notice

The Ocotillo Wells Discovery Center is now closed for the season and will reopen in Fall 2026.

Thank you to all of our visitors, volunteers, staff, for making this season a success. We appreciate your enthusiasm for learning about the unique natural and cultural resources of the Ocotillo Wells area.

We look forward to welcoming you back in Fall 2026 for another season of exploration and discovery.

See you next season! 🌵

What was your favorite moment from the 2025–26 season?

04/24/2026

Will you join us for a program? Learn about animals and how our pumpkins are made? Possibly attend a Junior Ranger Program and earn your own Junior Ranger Badge? We will be here and we hope you can join us!

Saturday April 25, 2026
Programs meet at the Discovery Center, intended for youth aged 7-12, and adult supervision is required.

10:30am Junior Ranger Program: The Roadrunner
Discover how roadrunners survive in the harsh desert, what they eat, and why protecting their habitat matters. Junior Rangers will explore how small actions help protect the land for animals and people alike.

2:00pm Junior Ranger Program: The Secret Life of
Kangaroo Rats
Discover how this tiny desert animal survives in harsh conditions using special adaptations like nighttime activity, powerful jumping legs, and the ability to live with very little water.

10:00am-2:30pm: Pop up at Pumpkin Patch
Information, maps, and wildlife at Ocotillo Wells!


Friends Of Ocotillo Wells

04/09/2026

04/05/2026

The Easter Bunny was at the Discovery Center yesterday!

04/02/2026

The weather is amazing out here and we are waiting for you! We hope to see you at some of our programs this weekend!

Saturday, April 4th, 2026
Most programs meet at the Discovery Center, unless otherwise noted.
Junior Ranger Programs are intended for youth aged 7-12 and adult supervision is required.

10:30am Junior Ranger Program: Whose egg is that?
Learn about the egg-laying animals that live in our park, create your own craft egg, and join in on a fun egg hunt!

2:00pm Junior Ranger Program: Whose egg is that?
Learn about the egg-laying animals that live in our park, create your own craft egg, and join in on a fun egg hunt! Repeat program from 10 am.

1:30pm- 5pm Gas Domes Pop-up Booth
Information, maps, and wildlife in Ocotillo Wells.

7:30pm- 9pm Scorpion Seach
Learn about these eight-legged creatures and use UV lights to find them in their natural habitat.

For more information call or stop by our Discovery Center
Located at Ranger Station Road and Howling Meg Circle, Borrego Springs CA 92004
(760) 767-5393 or 711 TTY Relay Service

Friends Of Ocotillo Wells

03/24/2026

Join us for a program or two this weekend!

How many of you remember going to a pop-up booth in the park or a Junior Ranger program? Do you remember what you learned? Hopefully we have planted the seeds of stewardship with some of you in the past!

Saturday 3/28/26
10:30am Junior Ranger Program: Big Brown Bats
Learn about these insectivores and how they survive in this desert.

2:00pm Junior Ranger Program: Who would win in a race: you or a roadrunner?
Learn about these fast birds who prefer running over flying.

9am-1:30pm Pumpkin Patch Pop-up Booth
Information, maps, and wildlife in Ocotillo Wells.

Friends Of Ocotillo Wells

03/19/2026

Join us for an upcoming program! The Junior Ranger programs are in our air-conditioned Discovery Center- a little respite from the heat! They are intended for youth aged 7-12, and adult supervision is required.

We have an extreme weather warning currently. Temperatures will be over 100°F. Please be careful and take extra caution this weekend. Drink lots of water, stay in the shade, and know signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses.

Saturday, March 21st, 2026

10:30am Junior Ranger Program:
Whooo’s Stronger? Owl Showdown!
Learn about two amazing owls: the Burrowing Owl and the Great Horned Owl! Discover how they are different in size, where they live, and the special adaptations that help them survive in the wild.

2:00pm Junior Ranger Program:
Rattlesnakes: Friend or Foe?
Are rattlesnakes something to fear or fascinating animals to respect? Join us to explore the truth about rattlesnakes! Learn how they survive, bust common myths, discover which species live in our park, and find out what to do if you encounter one in the wild.

9:00 am-3 pm Pop-up Booth
Tierra Del Sol vender area
Information, maps, and wildlife in Ocotillo Wells.


Tierra Del Sol Four Wheel Drive Club of San DiegoFriends Of Ocotillo Wells

03/18/2026

Stay safe everyone.

Extreme Heat Warning y'all! It will be over 100° and barely cooling off at night.

If you plan to come out to the park in the next few days, drink water, avoid dehydrating drinks like caffeine and alcohol, have shade and access to air conditioning, and take care of each other.

Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Call 911 for emergencies.

Predicted forecast:
Wednesday High 103°F Low 76°F
Thursday High 107°F Low 78°F
Friday High 108°F Low 75°F
Saturday High 106°F Low 71°F
Sunday High 101°F Low 69°F

For updated weather conditions, check
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=33.1512&lon=-116.1684
Tierra Del Sol Four Wheel Drive Club of San Diego Friends Of Ocotillo Wells
Photo of weather conditions below is for the Discovery Center on Wednesday 3/18/2026.

03/07/2026

Women’s History Month Employee Spotlight

This month, we’re proud to highlight Alex Napier, Associate State Archaeologist.

Since 2016, Alex has helped protect and study cultural and archaeological resources across Ocotillo Wells. Her work includes conducting field research, documenting historic resources, and collaborating with Native American Tribes to build relationships, ensure their voices are heard, and support the respectful stewardship of the land.

We are grateful for the dedication, knowledge, and passion she brings to protecting California’s cultural resources and heritage. Thank you, Alex, for everything you do for our parks and communities!
Friends Of Ocotillo Wells