Palm Springs Hiking

Palm Springs Hiking

Palms Springs offers a wide variety of hiking and walking adventures.  Explore the unique eco-system of the desert floor and Indian Canyons, 80 foot pine trees of the San Jacinto Wilderness at the top of the aerial tram, or the unique giant rock formations of Joshua Tree National Park.

Agua Caliente Indian Canyons
...trails, palm trees, wild ponies, oasis, streams and pools, waterfalls, rock formations, bird watching.  800-790-3398
www.indian-canyons.com

Tahquitz Canyon
...located just west of Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs, Tahquitz Canyon is part of the Agua Caliente Indian lands.  Tahquitz Canyon offers scenic hiking trails, a spectacular 60-foot waterfall, wildlife, and interesting Indian history.  Take a self guided hike or join one of the guided hiking tours that leave the Visitors Center every day (budget about 2.5 hours for the hike).  760-416-7044. 
www.tahquitzcanyon.com

Coachella Valley Preserve
...a 20,000 acre preserve 10 miles east of Palm Springs, California.  Includes hiking and riding trails.  760-343-1234

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve
...one of the 10 largest cottonwood and willow riparian (stream) habitats in California. The upstream end of the canyon lies in the Mojave Desert, while its downstream portion opens into the Colorado Desert.  Includes trails, streams, and bird watching.  760-363-7190

Mt. San Jacinto Wilderness
...54 miles of trails at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway (elevation 8,516')  888-515-8726
www.pstramway.com/things/hiking-detail.html

Joshua Tree National Park
...showcasing the unique beauty of the desert, Joshua Tree National Park offers interesting and varied hiking opportunities and other activities spread over almost 800,000 acres of desert landscape.
www.nps.gov/jotr/

Guided Hikes

Desert Safari
...professionally guided tours of the Indian Canyons, San Jacinto Wilderness, Joshua Tree National Park.  888-867-2327
www.desertsafari.com

Coachella Valley Hiking Club
... guided hikes on Wednesday mornings, Saturday and Sunday every week, and frequently on other week days.  760-345-6234
www.cvhikingclub.net

The Sierra Club
...guided hikes Saturday and Sunday in season.  760-321-5778

 

...go here for more information on

hiking trails from Linda Pyle

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These hikes are easy to moderate and close to the condo rentals.

The Museum Trail
...starts at the far corner of the north parking lot for the Palm Springs Desert Museum.  Picnic tables and spectacular views.

North Lykken Trail
...starts at the west end of Ramon Road. 5.5 miles one-way (2 miles to the intersection with the Museum Trail).  Left fork is easier to follow, right fork has more views of the city.

South Lykken Trail
...north end starts at the parking lot at the west end of Mesquite Road and South Palm Canyon Drive (near car dealership), south end is on South Palm Canyon Drive just past the intersection of Murray Canyon Drive and South Palm Canyon Drive.

Recommended Books

Great Hikes In & Near Palm Springs by Philip Ferranti with Hank Koenig

Peaks, Palms & Picnics: Day Journeys in the Mountains & Deserts of Palm Springs & the Coachella Valley of Southern California by Linda Pyle