Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves — Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

Dates & Weather: March 12, 2021. Night temps weren’t too bad down in the canyon we stayed in, mid-40’s and during the day it was 50 with high winds up on top of the dirt mountains(?), caves were warmest the whole time

Road & Address: there were some soft sand spots, didn’t require a lot of clearance and I didn’t put my Jeep Compass into AWD at all. Probably wouldn’t bring a sedan, but there were SUVs pulling pop-ups. Make sure you follow your GPS even if it doesn’t show a road (I missed the first left that goes to the caves & had to backtrack two miles through soft sand)

Amenities: none, pack in/pack out

Things to do: tons of caves to explore (the signs recommend not going in) bring a light (because you will go in.) Cool groups of overlanders out there and also saw a ton of families setting up camp as I was leaving Saturday morning.

DO NOT PARK CLOSE TO THE DIRT WALLS. (Mostly the overhanging ones) During the night I was out there, high winds brought a down huge chunk that we had passed on the way in. Glad I skipped that spot—I have a huge moonroof, yikes. There’s plenty of open spaces to set up camp safely away from the walls.

AT&T had no service whatsoever on low ground, but was strong if you went up the mountain (they’re like 40 feet, not actual mountains)

We are novice campers - didn't have sand tent pegs so with a little wind on the day we arrived it took some time to find the right site for us which really was only after the wind died down after 4pm. Picture a few frustrated moments here while wind picked up tent and wife..... :)

Lesson learned, take sand capable tent pegs and set up site later in the day and not on a nice hill.

Once the wind died down we found a site and settled in for a lovely night.

Awesome caves and walking around the area. Spectacular must do trip when around the area.

The mud caves are a MUST see when down here. This is the perfect area for off-roading and great views! It’s easy to spend a whole day here.

Anza borrego state park has a lot of room to explore. The park has campgrounds near borrego springs that are easily accessible. Visiting the mud caves you’ll need 4x4 or an AWD car with high clearance. Anza borrego has been my wife & I go to camping area for over 5 years. Camping is allowed away from main trails and we typically sleep near the mud caves or within the slot canyons. Perfect place to star gave and wander around & explore. Bring plenty of water/ off road safety (enough fuel/ shovel/ traction boards) as towing out of this area is extremely expensive. (Pictures are from fonts point/ random hikes near camping spots).

There are more than five different areas to camp in this box canyon.
The caves are cool, dark, and spooky!
no matter how hot it is in the desert the caves are always about 60F.
Don't come here if it's going to rain because the cliff-sides may fall and block the trail.