Last Updated: June 6, 2026
From Palm Springs, California we headed south to Jacumba Hot Springs, a small desert community perched at nearly 3,000 feet along the US-Mexico border in San Diego County. The landscape is unlike anything else in Southern California — massive eroded granite boulders scattered across the mountains, wide open desert sky, and a haunting quiet that comes from a place the rest of the world seems to have left behind.
Jacumba Hot Springs, California
Visitor Information: Jacumba Hot Springs is located along Interstate 8 in eastern San Diego County, approximately 70 miles east of downtown San Diego. DeAnza Springs Resort — 1951 Carrizo Gorge Road, Jacumba Hot Springs, CA 91934. Hours: Open year-round. Phone: (619) 766-4301. Website: deanzasprings.com. Note: services in the town of Jacumba are extremely limited — stock up on fuel and groceries before arriving.
Jacumba was once an unmanned border crossing between Mexico and the United States, but it was closed in 1995 when President Bill Clinton launched “Operation Gatekeeper” to curb illegal immigration across the San Diego sector. Each granite block of the border fence that now runs through this landscape tells a complicated story. The Border Patrol maintains a visible presence here. The crackdown significantly reduced the flow of migrants through this corridor, though it largely redirected them further east into the far more dangerous Arizona desert.
The economic fallout from Operation Gatekeeper hit both sides of the border hard. The nearby Mexican town of Jacume and American businesses along this stretch suffered deeply when the crossing closed. The result is a landscape dotted with abandoned buildings, crumbling storefronts, and empty lots — a ghost town in slow motion, and strangely compelling for it.
We talked to a few of the fewer than 500 people who call Jacumba home. There is a genuine pride among the residents — pride in the history of the place, in its rugged remoteness, and in the raw, unpolished beauty of the landscape around them. It is hardscrabble living, and they wear it well.
DeAnza Springs Resort
We stayed at DeAnza Springs Resort, which sits at almost 3,000 feet elevation — well above the warmth that draws snowbirds to Palm Springs, Quartzite, Phoenix, or Tucson. The campground was essentially empty during our December visit, but every amenity was still fully operational: indoor and outdoor pools, a hot tub, sauna, tennis courts, and a gym. It felt like having a resort entirely to ourselves.
The hiking from the resort was exceptional — numerous trails headed directly into Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and surrounding BLM land, stretching for miles into the desert. Jake explored a different trail every single day.
The trails offered some wonderful surprises — ancient Native American pictographs etched into the boulders, and formations of rock so massive they made Sandy and Jake look tiny by comparison. The hazards were not the mountain lions, coyotes, bobcats, rattlesnakes, or scorpions we stayed alert for — it was the jumping cholla cactus. A single light brush and its barbed spines attach themselves instantly to skin, clothing, or fur. A plastic comb turned out to be the most effective tool for removing them from Jake’s feet.
The dog park at DeAnza Springs was enormous — Jake was in heaven. And the resort had its share of humor, as any good RV park does.
Carrizo Gorge Trestle
For years, hiking or mountain biking the Carrizo Gorge Goat Canyon Trestle was a beloved — if semi-secret — adventure among outdoor enthusiasts in San Diego County. The old San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway runs from San Diego to El Centro through a dramatic series of tunnels and trestles, including the Goat Canyon Trestle, one of the longest curved wooden railway trestles in the United States. By 2016, the route had been acquired for potential rehabilitation and the tracks were closed to the public. The initial tunnel was gated, the route blocked, and the San Diego County sheriff regularly patrols and issues trespassing citations. It is off-limits — as we discovered firsthand. Perhaps one day, as has happened with the Kettle Valley Rail Trail in Kelowna, British Columbia, the state will formalize it as a public trail. It deserves that future.
We came across this peace sign on one of our hikes — a small, human touch in a very large and wild landscape.
Practical Tips
Pack layers — Jacumba is not a desert lowland. At nearly 3,000 feet elevation, temperatures drop significantly at night even in winter. Unlike Palm Springs or Phoenix, Jacumba sees real cold after dark. Come prepared.
Carry a plastic comb for jumping cholla. Cholla cactus spines detach and attach to skin, fur, and clothing with the lightest brush. Do not try to pull them off with your hands. A plastic comb slides under the spine cluster and flicks it free without driving the barbs deeper.
Stock up before you arrive. Services in Jacumba are extremely limited. Fill up on fuel, groceries, and supplies in El Cajon, Alpine, or El Centro before heading out on I-8. There are no big-box stores anywhere near town.
Do not attempt the Carrizo Gorge tracks. The Goat Canyon Trestle route is off-limits and actively patrolled. The San Diego County sheriff issues trespassing citations. Check current access status before your visit in case public access has since been permitted.
Anza-Borrego trails start right at DeAnza Springs. Bring a trail map, plenty of water, and sun protection. The hiking into Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and BLM land is excellent and largely uncrowded, especially in winter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Jacumba Hot Springs known for? Jacumba Hot Springs is a small, remote community in eastern San Diego County best known for its dramatic granite boulder landscape, the historic US-Mexico border crossing closed in 1995, abandoned ghost town buildings, access to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, and the legendary Carrizo Gorge Railway trestle. It is an off-the-beaten-path destination with a raw, frontier character.
How far is Jacumba Hot Springs from San Diego? Jacumba Hot Springs is approximately 70 miles east of downtown San Diego, about a 1.5-hour drive via Interstate 8. It sits just north of the US-Mexico border at an elevation of nearly 3,000 feet.
Can you hike to the Goat Canyon Trestle? As of our 2018 visit, the Carrizo Gorge Railway route was closed to the public, with the trailhead tunnel gated and sheriff patrols issuing trespassing tickets. Visitors should check current access status before attempting the route, as rehabilitation and public access plans have been discussed over the years.
Is DeAnza Springs a good base for exploring the area? Yes — it offers full RV hookups, pools, a hot tub, sauna, gym, and direct trail access into Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. The campground is typically very quiet in winter, giving you the feeling of having the whole desert to yourself.
Are pets allowed at DeAnza Springs Resort? Yes, pets are welcome. The resort has a large, fenced dog park — one of the highlights of our stay. Jake spent a good portion of each day running free in it.
