Trip Date: March 2009
The Pumpkin Patch
Located just east of the Anza-Borrego State Park boundary is a unique geologic phenomenon known as the Pumpkin Patch. Here, you’ll find a patch of land, roughly the size of an average city block, covered with spherically-shaped rocks that are all the size of an average pumpkin.
The surrounding desert terrain is very consistent, with its soft rolling sandy hills covered with creosote bushes. It is the same terrain that you’ll pass for several miles after leaving the pavement of Hwy S-22. To finally reach and see this collection of round boulders strewn in just this small area is really quite a sight to see.
Getting There
Getting to The Pumpkin Path will test your navigation and path finding skills. Much of the route from the paved S-22 to the patch is using a dirt road, actually a route, which follows several washes. Make sure you bring a good map with you that will show the roads in this area.
Many GPS units do not show the roads for this area. So don’t expect to rely on your GPS. However, having a GPS that shows latitude and longitude is helpful because the patch is at 33.2228 degrees north by -116.0688 degrees west and will give you a clue of where it is located.
Virtual Tour
Getting There (cont.)
You will need a high-clearance vehicle, preferably one with 4WD, because there are several stretches of sand in the washes. Do not take an automobile to the Pumpkin Patch!
To start your trip, from downtown Borrego Springs, the beginning of the dirt road can be reached by following S-22 east from Christmas Circle for about 16 miles. Turn right onto the dirt road that veers off S-22 at about 30 degrees.
Once on this dirt road, it is approximately 7.5 miles to the Pumpkin Patch. In a short distance, the road passes through a campground. Keep on the road which trends southeast and eventually leads you into a wash.
When we visited in 2009, there were a few signs that pointed the way to the Pumpkin Patch. Unfortunately, there were a few key road intersections where there was no sign and one could have made an incorrect turn and would never reach the patch.
There were also signs pointing out where two different oasis’s are located. The two oasis are just off the road and are worth a short stop and visit.
Shortly after passing Five Palms Springs (one of the oasis’s), make sure to turn left (towards the east), which is the halfway point, to reach the patch. The patch is located about 300 feet off the right of the road and can be spotted because of the fence that was erected around the patch.
Visiting the Site
Once you arrive, you will see a brown sign that, when we visited, was very corroded and difficult to read. The sign reads:
“This unique landscape is the result of wind and water continuously eroding the surface soil and revealing these globular sandstone concretions.
Such concretions are believed to be formed by the natural cementing of sand particles to a small object such as a piece of shell, a grain of sand, or even an insect.”
There is a skinny opening in the fence which serves as the entrance to the Pumpkin Patch. Here, you can walk in and closely inspect the odd boulders that are the “pumpkins”. Be sure to walk around the patch to see the different varieties of boulders in their different stages of erosion.
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Thanks for this good information.
I have been wanting to see the Pumpkin Patch for two years, but all I have is a small Toyota pickup – 2 wheel drive – so I have been afraid to attempt it.
One of these days, I’ll figure out a way.
You’re welcome Patricia. You may wish to inquire locally on the condition of the road. Sometimes it isn’t very sandy so that a 2WD vehicle can make it with ease. This is usually a few weeks after a rainstorm. But when there’s been no rain for a period of time, it becomes very sandy. Good luck – you’ll see it one of these days!