You Call This a Hellhole?

A Hike Into Anza-Borrego's Hellhole Canyon and Maidenhair Falls

{APRIL 13, 2023 UPDATE: Due to recent storms, before going to the park, please check ahead for weather forecasts, along with trail status and conditions; trails can be muddy and have debris or unexpected hazards; exercise good judgement and caution.}

One person’s hellhole is another’s heavenly desert oasis. Hellhole Canyon in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is definitely the latter. Its name comes from cattleman Wid Helm, who said it was “one hell of a hole to get cattle out of.” For you, it’s a moderate to challenging 5.5-mile (round-trip) out-and-back hike, with a bonus waterfall as the finale. It’s also far less crowded than the park’s famous Borrego Palm Canyon. In spring, you'll have the beautiful bonus of wildflowers.

From the free parking area just southwest of the visitor center, head into the wide canyon on the signed trail, passing by an ominous faux grave of those who failed to bring enough water. Don’t be one of them! Get an early start for this hike and bring plenty of water. The trail is mostly flat for the first 2 miles, winding around barrel cacti, creosote, ocotillo, and yucca.

The path begins to narrow at the first palm grove. Here and beyond you will have to do some rock scrambling. Cottonwoods and sycamores start to complement the palms, all indicating the presence of water. Listen for the chirping of yellow-faced verdins in the brush or try to spot the striking black-throated sparrows dancing along the desert floor.

Another half-mile leads you to a thicker palm oasis and the perfect spot for a lunch break on a shaded boulder. Take time to climb out of the oasis and scan the canyon cliffs for the park’s star mammal, the stately peninsular bighorn sheep. This is a good ending point, though if you want to challenge yourself, and conditions are safe, continue up the creek and into the canyon. Rock-scramble another quarter-mile to reach Maidenhair Falls. {APRIL 2023 NOTE: Due to all the winter storms, conditions on this part of the trail may be poor, and the rock scrambling is not easy for a lot of people. Use caution and good judgement and be sure you have plenty of water.}

TIP: Time your hike to finish just before sunset to avoid the desert sun and to catch the gorgeous dusk palette of the canyon. This will also increase your chances of a bighorn sheep sighting.

From I-15, take CA-76 east for 35 miles and turn left onto CA-79 north. After 4.3 miles, turn right onto San Felipe Rd. and continue 4.7 miles, keeping left onto Montezuma Valley Rd. After 15 miles, the parking area will be on your left. No dogs.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Field of Light at Sensorio in Paso Robles

    Light This Way

    Hidden in the bucolic hills of Paso Robles lies one of the greatest light shows on earth. The lighted art exhibition, Sensorio, is as if the rainbow magic of the aurora borealis was plucked from the sky and planted in the fields.

    View
  2. Surfboards and tents for shade are set up on the beach at Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area in the Swim Lagoon Area

    Switchbacks and Swimming Holes

    Hike hard, play hard! This 7-mile out-and-back in Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area is a great workout with payoff vistas and a relaxing post-hike picnic and dip in the water.

    View
  3. Hike the Rainbow

    Catch all the colors of a rainbow at Calero County Park on this 10-mile hike currently showcasing the season’s best blooms.

    View
  4. Hike Purisima Creek Open Space Preserve

    Purisima Charisma

    Hundred-foot redwoods, a shaded canyon, and views overlooking Half Moon Bay. This 10-mile loop hike in Purisima Creek Redwoods Open Space Preserve is a roller-coaster of uphill and downhill along with easygoing stretches through some of the Bay Area’s most beautiful landscape.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. People on a guided horseback tour with Central Coast Trailrides at Santa Margarita Ranch near Paso Robles

    Saddle Up with Central Coast Trailrides

    Untouched and sweeping, the mountainous scenery and deep valleys of Santa Margarita near Paso Robles are just begging to be explored. So saddle up for a scenic adventure with Central Coast Trailrides (CCT) at the 14,000-acre Santa Margarita Ranch.

    View
  2. A woman on a hiking trail with huge open space and yellow flowers around her at Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks

    Going Wildwood

    Consider this your invitation to get a little untamed. In just one walk through Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks, you can chase the sound of a cascading waterfall, duck into a shadowy cave, and soak in big hillside vistas. The mostly flat 4.25-mile loop makes wild feel wonderfully accessible.

    View
  3. Two people fly fishing on the Truckee River with guides from Reno Fly Shop

    Zen and the Art of Fly Fishing

    Learning to fly fish is one of the most fun and beautiful ways to connect with nature, family, friends, and yourself. It’s also a great way to truly experience the magic of a place. Make that place Reno Tahoe, where a fly fishing adventure with Reno Fly Shop is like being planted in a plein air painting of dreamy outdoors.

    View
  4. A woman on the overlook deck overlooking the Truckee River at Oxbow Nature Study Area in Reno

    This Way to Oxbow and Dickerson Road

    Just west of downtown Reno—tucked right alongside the Truckee River—is a nature haven for wildlife spotting and waterside relaxing. The 22-acre Oxbow Nature Study Area is ideal for those seeking solitude and a short hike. Afterwards, explore the creative hub of Dickerson Road.

    View