Elephant Trees Discovery Trail

The Elephant Trees Discovery Trail is a gentle and botanically fascinating loop in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California, offering visitors the rare opportunity to encounter one of the most unusual and geographically restricted trees in North America. The elephant tree, known scientifically as Bursera microphylla, is named for its distinctive swollen, pale trunk and branches that taper to pencil-thin twigs, creating a silhouette that is unlike almost any other desert plant.

In the United States, elephant trees occur naturally only in a handful of locations in southern California and Arizona, and the colony along this trail represents one of the most accessible concentrations in the country. The trees are closely related to the tropical copal and frankincense trees and produce aromatic resins that have long been valued by indigenous peoples of the Sonoran Desert region. Their papery, peeling bark and twisted forms give them an ancient, sculptural quality.

The 1-mile loop winds through a desert drainage wash where the elephant trees grow alongside various cacti, desert shrubs, and seasonal wildflowers, with interpretive signs providing information about the ecology and ethnobotany of the area. The trail is nearly flat with only 100 feet of elevation gain and is accessible to hikers of all abilities. The $10 per vehicle park entry fee applies. Dogs are not permitted in this area of the park. Visitors should bring water and sun protection, as shade is minimal along the route.