Desert Orienteering Festival
- Date Sat 17th January 2026 - Mon 19th January 2026
- Time 12:00PM PST
- Location Borrego Springs, California
- Price $35.00
- Races 18 races
Just added
Secure your place early
Event summary
Get ready for an exhilarating weekend at the Desert Orienteering Festival, taking place from January 17th to 19th, 2026, in the stunning landscapes of Borrego Springs, San Diego! This exciting event offers a variety of orienteering challenges suitable for all skill levels, including a thrilling 2-hour Adventure Trek on Saturday where participants can navigate the beautiful flatlands northeast of Buttes Pass.
On Sunday, competitors can test their mettle in the Classic event, featuring a range of courses that cater to both novices and seasoned athletes. As the sun sets, the Night Goat will add a unique twist to the experience, allowing participants to traverse the desert under the stars with various distance options available. Finally, on Monday, the Maze Middle event invites adventurers to tackle the iconic slot canyons and steep slopes of the Maze in a fast-paced, point-to-point competition. With captivating scenery and a community atmosphere, the Desert Orienteering Festival promises an unforgettable adventure for everyone!
On Sunday, competitors can test their mettle in the Classic event, featuring a range of courses that cater to both novices and seasoned athletes. As the sun sets, the Night Goat will add a unique twist to the experience, allowing participants to traverse the desert under the stars with various distance options available. Finally, on Monday, the Maze Middle event invites adventurers to tackle the iconic slot canyons and steep slopes of the Maze in a fast-paced, point-to-point competition. With captivating scenery and a community atmosphere, the Desert Orienteering Festival promises an unforgettable adventure for everyone!
Organiser's Description
Please consider volunteering [https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/CA/BorregoSprings/DesertOrienteeringFestival]. All volunteers will receive an email with a $50 coupon toward registration per slot.
REMINDER: DOF26 will not be offering OUSA categories. Run any race you want!
***************************************************************************************************************
SATURDAY, JAN 17TH
THE ADVENTURE TREK
12pm Mass Start
The festival kicks off with a 2-hour score orienteering Adventure Trek, where both experienced and beginner participants can chart their own path through the desert.
This years challenge takes place in the vast flatlands northeast of Buttes Pass, where navigational precision and overland speed will be the keys to victory.
Course Setter: Chris Day
SUNDAY, JAN 18TH
THE CLASSIC
Starts 10am-11:30am
Measure your fitness and navigation skills against the best in a traditional 7-course classic orienteering competition that will span both technical and fast terrain.
Beginners can stick to the basic White course or use their newly built skills to take on the Yellow or Orange competitions.
Course Setter: Matej Sebo
THE NIGHT GOAT
5pm Mass Start
Are you ready to take on the desert at night?
This modified format will extend our Goat (8-10km), Borrego (4-5km), and Beginner mass start tradition, but with a dusk start time. Following is encouraged, but as night settles and the group splinters, you might face the dark desert alone to complete this point-to-point course. Beginners who want just a taste of the night can opt for a lighted guide.
Course Setter: Mark Prior
MONDAY, JAN 19TH
THE MAZE MIDDLE
Starts 9am-11am
Navigate the slot canyons and steep slopes of the iconic "Maze" in a middle distance 7-course point to point competition. The distances will be short, but the complexity high, with numerous route options and physical challenges between controls in this three-dimensional wonderland.
Beginners will thrill to exposed ridges and memorable vistas while following a more straight-forward route.
Course Setter: Julien Ouellet
REMINDER: DOF26 will not be offering OUSA categories. Run any race you want!
***************************************************************************************************************
SATURDAY, JAN 17TH
THE ADVENTURE TREK
12pm Mass Start
The festival kicks off with a 2-hour score orienteering Adventure Trek, where both experienced and beginner participants can chart their own path through the desert.
This years challenge takes place in the vast flatlands northeast of Buttes Pass, where navigational precision and overland speed will be the keys to victory.
Course Setter: Chris Day
SUNDAY, JAN 18TH
THE CLASSIC
Starts 10am-11:30am
Measure your fitness and navigation skills against the best in a traditional 7-course classic orienteering competition that will span both technical and fast terrain.
Beginners can stick to the basic White course or use their newly built skills to take on the Yellow or Orange competitions.
Course Setter: Matej Sebo
THE NIGHT GOAT
5pm Mass Start
Are you ready to take on the desert at night?
This modified format will extend our Goat (8-10km), Borrego (4-5km), and Beginner mass start tradition, but with a dusk start time. Following is encouraged, but as night settles and the group splinters, you might face the dark desert alone to complete this point-to-point course. Beginners who want just a taste of the night can opt for a lighted guide.
Course Setter: Mark Prior
MONDAY, JAN 19TH
THE MAZE MIDDLE
Starts 9am-11am
Navigate the slot canyons and steep slopes of the iconic "Maze" in a middle distance 7-course point to point competition. The distances will be short, but the complexity high, with numerous route options and physical challenges between controls in this three-dimensional wonderland.
Beginners will thrill to exposed ridges and memorable vistas while following a more straight-forward route.
Course Setter: Julien Ouellet
Races
-
The Adventure Trek
Sat 17th January 2026 (12:00PM PST)
$35.00
The festival kicks off with a 2 hour score orienteering Adventure Trek, where both experienced and beginner participants can chart their own path through the desert. This years challenge takes place in the vast flatlands northeast of Buttes Pass, where navigational precision and overland speed will be the keys to victory. Course Setter: Chris Day -
Classic - White
Sun 18th January 2026 (10:00AM PST)
$35.00
Measure your fitness and navigation skills against the best in a traditional 7-course classic orienteering competition that will span both technical and fast terrain. Beginners can stick to the basic White course or use their newly built skills to take on the Yellow or Orange competitions. Course Setter: Matej Sebo -
Classic - Yellow
Sun 18th January 2026 (10:00AM PST)
$35.00
Measure your fitness and navigation skills against the best in a traditional 7-course classic orienteering competition that will span both technical and fast terrain. Beginners can stick to the basic White course or use their newly built skills to take on the Yellow or Orange competitions. Course Setter: Matej Sebo -
Classic - Orange
Sun 18th January 2026 (10:00AM PST)
$35.00
Measure your fitness and navigation skills against the best in a traditional 7-course classic orienteering competition that will span both technical and fast terrain. Beginners can stick to the basic White course or use their newly built skills to take on the Yellow or Orange competitions. Course Setter: Matej Sebo -
Classic - Brown
Sun 18th January 2026 (10:00AM PST)
$35.00
Measure your fitness and navigation skills against the best in a traditional 7-course classic orienteering competition that will span both technical and fast terrain. Beginners can stick to the basic White course or use their newly built skills to take on the Yellow or Orange competitions. Course Setter: Matej Sebo -
Classic - Green
Sun 18th January 2026 (10:00AM PST)
$35.00
Measure your fitness and navigation skills against the best in a traditional 7-course classic orienteering competition that will span both technical and fast terrain. Beginners can stick to the basic White course or use their newly built skills to take on the Yellow or Orange competitions. Course Setter: Matej Sebo -
Classic - Red
Sun 18th January 2026 (10:00AM PST)
$35.00
Measure your fitness and navigation skills against the best in a traditional 7-course classic orienteering competition that will span both technical and fast terrain. Beginners can stick to the basic White course or use their newly built skills to take on the Yellow or Orange competitions. Course Setter: Matej Sebo -
Classic - Blue
Sun 18th January 2026 (10:00AM PST)
$35.00
Measure your fitness and navigation skills against the best in a traditional 7-course classic orienteering competition that will span both technical and fast terrain. Beginners can stick to the basic White course or use their newly built skills to take on the Yellow or Orange competitions. Course Setter: Matej Sebo -
Night Goat - Beginner
Sun 18th January 2026 (5:00PM PST)
$35.00
Are you ready to take on the desert at night? This modified format will extend our Beginner, Goat (8-10km) and Borrego (4-5km) mass start tradition, but with a dusk start time. Following is encouraged, but as night settles and the group splinters, you might face the dark desert alone to complete this point to point course. Beginners who want just a taste of the night can opt for a lighted guide. Course Setter: Mark Prior -
Night Goat - Borrego (Intermediate)
Sun 18th January 2026 (5:00PM PST)
$35.00
Are you ready to take on the desert at night? This modified format will extend our Beginner, Goat (8-10km) and Borrego (4-5km) mass start tradition, but with a dusk start time. Following is encouraged, but as night settles and the group splinters, you might face the dark desert alone to complete this point to point course. Beginners who want just a taste of the night can opt for a lighted guide. Course Setter: Mark Prior -
Night Goat - Goat (Advanced)
Sun 18th January 2026 (5:00PM PST)
$35.00
Are you ready to take on the desert at night? This modified format will extend our Beginner, Goat (8-10km) and Borrego (4-5km) mass start tradition, but with a dusk start time. Following is encouraged, but as night settles and the group splinters, you might face the dark desert alone to complete this point to point course. Beginners who want just a taste of the night can opt for a lighted guide. Course Setter: Mark Prior -
Maze - White
Mon 19th January 2026 (9:00AM PST)
$35.00
Navigate the slot canyons and steep slopes of the iconic "Maze" in a middle-distance 7-course point-to-point competition. The distances will be short, but the complexity high, with numerous route options and physical challenges between controls in this three-dimensional wonderland. Beginners will thrill to exposed ridges and memorable vistas while following a more straightforward route. Course Setter: Julien Ouellet -
Maze - Yellow
Mon 19th January 2026 (9:00AM PST)
$35.00
Navigate the slot canyons and steep slopes of the iconic "Maze" in a middle-distance 7-course point-to-point competition. The distances will be short, but the complexity high, with numerous route options and physical challenges between controls in this three-dimensional wonderland. Beginners will thrill to exposed ridges and memorable vistas while following a more straightforward route. Course Setter: Julien Ouellet -
Maze - Orange
Mon 19th January 2026 (9:00AM PST)
$35.00
Navigate the slot canyons and steep slopes of the iconic "Maze" in a middle-distance 7-course point-to-point competition. The distances will be short, but the complexity high, with numerous route options and physical challenges between controls in this three-dimensional wonderland. Beginners will thrill to exposed ridges and memorable vistas while following a more straightforward route. Course Setter: Julien Ouellet -
Maze - Brown
Mon 19th January 2026 (9:00AM PST)
$35.00
Navigate the slot canyons and steep slopes of the iconic "Maze" in a middle-distance 7-course point-to-point competition. The distances will be short, but the complexity high, with numerous route options and physical challenges between controls in this three-dimensional wonderland. Beginners will thrill to exposed ridges and memorable vistas while following a more straightforward route. Course Setter: Julien Ouellet -
Maze - Green
Mon 19th January 2026 (9:00AM PST)
$35.00
Navigate the slot canyons and steep slopes of the iconic "Maze" in a middle-distance 7-course point-to-point competition. The distances will be short, but the complexity high, with numerous route options and physical challenges between controls in this three-dimensional wonderland. Beginners will thrill to exposed ridges and memorable vistas while following a more straightforward route. Course Setter: Julien Ouellet -
Maze - Red
Mon 19th January 2026 (9:00AM PST)
$35.00
Navigate the slot canyons and steep slopes of the iconic "Maze" in a middle-distance 7-course point-to-point competition. The distances will be short, but the complexity high, with numerous route options and physical challenges between controls in this three-dimensional wonderland. Beginners will thrill to exposed ridges and memorable vistas while following a more straightforward route. Course Setter: Julien Ouellet -
Maze - Blue
Mon 19th January 2026 (9:00AM PST)
$35.00
Navigate the slot canyons and steep slopes of the iconic "Maze" in a middle-distance 7-course point-to-point competition. The distances will be short, but the complexity high, with numerous route options and physical challenges between controls in this three-dimensional wonderland. Beginners will thrill to exposed ridges and memorable vistas while following a more straightforward route. Course Setter: Julien Ouellet
Reviews
Doing this event?
First-hand event reviews from people who have been there, done that and got the breathable T-shirt, really help everyone choose their next event. You'll be able to review this event once it's taken place.
Location
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, Borrego Springs, 92004, CA, United States
Who's In
See who else is doing this event
Be the first
No-one has marked this event as 'Doing' or 'Maybe' yet. Will you be the first?
Desert Orienteering Festival
