Recent snow and rain have caused many trails to be temporarily closed. Please check with the local agencies for the most up-to-date information.

Sheep Canyon - Anza Borrego

4.8/5 (5 reviews)
Ocotillo, California (Imperial County)
Last Updated: 01/18/2023

Trail Information

Highlights

Part of Coyote Canyon Lower, Sheep Canyon Trail used to be a popular thru way people enjoyed often. Sheep Canyon got its name from the seasonal pools of water and mud that the big horn sheep come down from the mountains to drink. Now since the park service has closed the trail for a short distance between Coyote Canyon Upper and Coyote Canyon Lower, this area sees a lot less traffic on it. Thus now this area is a great retreat to avoid crowds and enjoy the peaceful scenery of Anza Borrego Desert.

Trail Difficulty and Assessment

Trail Navigation

Trail Reviews

4.8/5 (5)
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 02/04/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Great spot for camping! This area provides lots of water features, views, and paths to explore. The one compliant was there was a lot of traffic and people that go through here, so finding a perfect spot is luck of the draw. Otherwise, we had a great time and can't wait to go back again.
Official Crew
110750
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 01/18/2023
Difficulty Accuracy: Spot On

Trail is open right now
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 11/15/2021

Nice, remote campground at the end of the trail. We were the only ones camping and had amazing weather.
Open
Rated 4/5
Visited: 01/04/2020

Agree that the trail is "easy", but it was slow foe me because I was trying to avoid desert pin striping. I was sucessful, but there are tight areas where brush will definitely hit your truck if your not careful. The campground at sheep canyon is really nice with rock and concrete toliets. Looked like it was $10 bucks a night to camp there. Still trying to figure out why you drive through a sand wash, but your really on the side of a mountain and not in a canyon. Maybe its an ancient canyon?
Official Crew
14200
Open
Rated 5/5
Visited: 11/10/2018

If you made it through Lower Coyote Canyon, this trail will be a breeze. At the end of the trail are plenty of places to camp and, at least this weekend, it was very crowded. Our convoy of 4 vehicles were the first to arrive at the end of Sheep Canyon on Saturday and hoped we were far enough removed to stay clear of crowds but by the next morning there were about a dozen other camps set up within a quarter mile radius. The hike up to the spring at the end of the canyon was a lot of work and took a few hours, but made for a fun afternoon adventure.

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