favorite places to hike near palm springs; best hiking areas beyond joshua tree national park
kiddo hiking in anza-borrego desert state park
when we lived in the palm springs area, we were able to hike every weekend without running out of trails to explore. while we absolutely loved - and continue to love - visiting joshua tree national park, there are are so many incredible areas in both the low and high desert for hiking. (for hiking in joshua tree national park, see this post about joshua tree hidden gems!)
while the coachella valley does get exceedingly hot in summer, the rest of the year brings perfect hiking temperatures. plus, the valley is surrounded by multiple mountain ranges, so there are tons of higher elevation (read: cooler) hiking and recreation opportunities a bit further out. here are our favorite hiking areas in and near palm springs, california, including our favorite trails in palm springs and beyond.
whitewater preserve
the nearly 3,000 acre whitewater preserve is surrounded by san gorgonio wilderness and provides a rich riparian habitat for bighorn sheep, migrating birds, and many other beautiful creatures. there are 4 main trails, ranging from 3.5 to 8 miles, as well as connectors to the PCT and other trail systems. a favorite trail is the 4 mile whitewater canyon loop. there's also a campground and a beautiful recreation area that provide the opportunity for enjoyment without hiking. it’s a great place to cool down on a warm day if you’re looking to get away from the pool.
kiddo and i hiking through the whitewater river
big morongo canyon preserve
like joshua tree national park, big morongo canyon preserve encompasses both mojave and colorado deserts. it's also one of the largest cottonwood and willow riparian habitats in california. part of the sand to snow national monument, this 31,000 acre preserve remains one of our favorite hiking areas of all time for it's diversity of flora and fauna. there are 6 trails that traverse different ecosystems, including the marsh trail and canyon trail. visitors can combine them in any number of ways to create just the right adventure. we’ve been on all 6 trails multiple times and love each one. no matter the season, there is always something beautiful to experience here!
kiddo hiking the yucca ridge trail at big morongo canyon preserve
indian canyons
managed by the agua caliente band of cahuilla indians, indian canyons affords visitors 60 miles of gorgeous trails through 3 different canyons. our favorite trail, the palm canyon loop, winds through the world's largest naturally occurring oasis of the california fan palm and then up out of the canyon for spectacular panoramas. once we saw a tarantula on the trail! for a shorter hike through another oasis, check out the 1.2 mile andreas canyon loop. and for a longer hike, try the murray canyon trail, which features more than a dozen creek crossings to a waterfall. another canyon in the area worth a visit is tahquitz canyon, which is also managed by the tribe and features tahquitz falls during the wet season.
kiddo hikes up the ridge of the palm canyon trail
santa rosa and san jacinto mountains national monument
at 280,000 acres, the santa rosa and san jacinto mountains national monument is BIG - and offers endless hiking opportunities! with more than 200 identified cultural resources and over 11,000 feet in elevation change from lowest to highest points, there is an incredible amount of adventure to be experienced here. some of the area continues to be owned by the cahuilla indians and management is shared across several different agencies. do your research to find the best hiking options in the area, along with associated fees and regulations. here are some of our favorites across the area:
palm springs: the 1.6 mile out and back museum trail climbs over 800 feet in less than a mile. the more challenging 4.1 mile araby trail has 1400 feet on elevation gain and thus comes with excellent views.
palm desert: we love the 2.7 mile randall henderson loop. for a little more challenge, try the 4 mile bump and grind trail.
mt. san jacinto: take the palm springs aerial tramway for the round valley or desert view trails. it’s beautiful up here no matter what trail you take!
kiddo hikes the bump and grind trail in palm desert, ca
hiking areas a bit further out
though a bit further out, both of these locations are well within range for a day trip from palm springs. anza-borrego desert state park is especially lovely in the spring. head up to idyllwild in summer to escape the heat or in winter to enjoy snow.
anza-borrego desert state park
we first visited anza-borrego desert state park during the 2019 wildflower superbloom. it was easy to fall in love with the park when it was blanketed in colorful blooms, but we’ve returned multiple times since then to enjoy this beautiful desert wonderland. our two favorite trails are near the tamarisk grove campground: cactus loop nature trail and yaqui well nature trail. it was on one of these trails we saw our first desert tortoise in the wild!
desert dandelions blooming in anza-borrego desert state park
idyllwild
this quaint mountain town is a great day-trip escape from the desert heat. there are many hiking trails in the area, but be advised most are longer day hikes. for a more moderate option, try the 4.6 mile ernie maxwell scenic trail. there are also lots of options to visit recreation areas for short nature walks and relaxation in picnic areas. be sure to visit the idyllwild nature center!
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