The San Felipe Creek

To get to the San Felipe creek all you need to do is follow highway 78 which is part way through the park. There are relics and special treasures that have been found in this area by prospectors and most of the discoveries were from the early Spanish origin. The San Felipe Butterfield Stage Station is located on Scissors Crossing on highway 78 and 2-2 and this is where the Southern Emigrant Trail used to join San Felipe Creek. One other very popular spot in the area is the Warner’s Hot Springs. Even though Warner’s Hot Springs is not located in the desert, it is still well known of in Anza Borrego. To get to this area take S-2 north at the Scissors Crossing, as this will take you to highway 79. You will need to go right on highway 79 until you reach the Warner’s Hot Springs. You will also be able to find Warner’s Ranch which is off S-2 around half a mile before it comes together with highway 79.

Peg Leg Smith monument
Peg Leg Smith was known as a mountain man, prospector, and told a bunch of tall tales, he lived from 1801 to 1866. A born Kentuckian who staggered west and never went back, Smith claimed to have found pure gold nuggets in the Borrego Springs area. Peg Leg would tell anyone who'd listen about the magnificent wealth hidden in the hills. It was hidden because Peg Leg couldn't exactly remember where the mine was. The monument of Peg Leg Smith consists of a sign in front of a huge pile of rocks that says “Let those who seek Peg Leg's gold add ten rocks to this pile”. The idea of this monument is to pay tribute to Peg Leg Smith in order for him to not keep the gold hidden for good from you finding it. It is not uncommon to see people throwing rocks on the pile of stones but it’s simply turned into a fun tradition. To get to this place, you will need to take the Yaqui Pass Road (S-3) north from highway 78 to Henderson Canyon Road on S-22. Take a right on Henderson Canyon Road and you will find the monument. If you go further down S-22 you will get to the southern area of the Santa Rosa Mountains which are located on the left as one is heading east.