Hiking in Palm Springs: Five Must Do Hikes

Hiking in Palm Springs and in the nearby area is fabulous – no matter what the season. It’s actually possible to find hikes at cooler elevations in the summer. There is an unbelievable amount of choice through a whole range of eco-systems.

Here are five hiking trails in Palm Springs I have tested along with 11 other suggestions from my friend, Phillip Ferranti – author of a guidebook on hiking in Palm Springs.

Hiking in Palm Springs summary

When can you hike? Hiking in Palm Springs can be done year-round if you know where to look. In the summer heat, you’ll have to pick a high elevation hike, but its doable. 

How many hikes are in Palm Springs? There are 140 hikes within a 70-mile radius of Palm Springs.

How long are the hikes? Hikes range from one to 22 miles in length and in fact the hike with the biggest one day vertical in the United States is probably here. It’s “The Cactus to Clouds” hike with an elevation gain of 10,400 feet over 22 miles.

Don’t miss: Try to include a visit to Joshua Tree National Park. It’s here that you can admire other-worldly boulder formations and high mountain desert plants….and it’s just over an hour’s drive away. The hiking in the park is excellent.

Go prepared: Don’t forget to pack the hiking essentials, take extra water for hiking in desert conditions – and let someone know where you’re going and when you’re due back.

If you visit Palm Springs in fall or winter

Palm Springs in late fall and winter is a welcoming spot. You walk off the airline into an open air terminal with sunshine pouring in. Chances are you’ll immediately start stripping since if you live in Canada or the northern US, you haven’t felt such intense sun for many months. And you’re likely dressed in black. Keep your sunglasses handy. You’ll need them immediately.

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Indian Canyons area known for its great hiking
The Indian Canyons area is known for its great hiking

These are five must do hikes in the Palm Springs area

1. The Mirage Trail aka The Bump and Grind

The Bump and Grind trail is easily accessed above Rancho Mirage. It’s not the prettiest hike but you’ll get a good cardio workout in less than two hours and you get a great view of the Coachella Valley from the top.

Hiking in Palm Springs on the Bump n Grind Trail near Rancho Mirage
The Bump and Grind Trail near Rancho Mirage
Hiking in Palm Springs - and the view from the Bump and Grind
View from Bump n Grind Trail

2. A circle loop in Indian Canyons near Palm Springs

The Indian Canyons Nature Preserve, on the outskirts of Palm Springs is a superb place to hike. In total there are more than 60 miles of hiking trails. There are also ranger-led interpretive hikes from Friday through to Sunday.

If you can arrange a car shuttle then consider starting at the trading post and follow the West Fork Trail to the West Fork North Trail to the Murray Canyon Trail to the Andreas Canyon Trail.

Pick up your car in the Andreas and Murray Canyon parking lot. These trails are well marked, very scenic and cover about 9 miles. You will have to pay to do any hiking in the Indian Canyons ($12 per adult, $7 per senior over 62, $6 for children 6 -12 in 2023 ) and season passes are available.

You can also join a ranger led interpretative hike from October through to June. Call 760-323-6018 for the schedule. Any and all hikes in the Indian Canyons area are scenic.

An oasis in the desert on the Indian Canyon hike seen hiking in Palm Springs
An oasis in the desert on the Indian Canyon hike
Beautiful cacti on the Indian Canyon hike
Beautiful cacti on the Indian Canyon hike
Bluebirds feasting on berries of a palm tree - seen hiking in Palm Springs
Bluebirds feasting on berries of a palm tree
It's positively lush in parts of the Indian Canyons while hiking on Palm Springs
It’s positively lush in parts of the Indian Canyons

3. Skull Rock Trail hike, Joshua Tree National Park

Start at the Skull Rock parking area east of the Jumbo Rocks Campground. Do an easy 1.7 mile loop hike and explore piles of boulders, desert washes and the hard-to-miss Skull Rock. You’ll need about an hour.

Skull Rock in Joshua Tree National Park
Skull Rock in Joshua Tree National Park
Piles of boulders on the Skull Rock hike are fun to explore
Piles of boulders on the Skull Rock hike are fun to explore

4. Ryan Mountain hike, Joshua Tree National Park

The most popular hike in Joshua Tree National Park is the Ryan Mountain hike. It’s straightforward, easy to follow but steep in places. Over 1.5 miles it gains 1,070 feet of elevation. Along the way enjoy fabulous views of 10,381 foot Mt. San Jacinto. Also look for bighorn sheep.

Starting off on the Ryan Mountain hike
Starting off on the Ryan Mountain hike
10,381 ' Mt. San Jacinto is one of the mountains you see from the summit
10,381 ‘ Mt. San Jacinto is one of the mountains you see from the summit

5. Little Utah Canyon hike in the Mecca Hills area

This is an easy two hour hike which offers views of the Salton Sea and the colourful canyons. It is so dry through here and shade is in short supply so go very prepared with lots of water, a sunhat, and sunscreen. Avoid the heat of the day.

Hiking in the Mecca Hills
The Mecca Hills area is a great one for hiking but don’t forget the water
Signage explaining about the endemic Mecca aster
Signage explaining about the endemic Mecca aster
Trails in the Mecca Hills area
Hiking in the Mecca Hills area

11 more suggestions for hikes in the Palm Springs area

From a chat with Phillip Ferranti, the author of one of the local hiking in Palm Springs guidebooks, the following hikes also come highly recommended.

Shop: Buy Phillip’s incredibly useful guidebook – 140 Hikes in and Near Palm Springs here if you plan to do any amount of hiking in the Palm Springs area.

 

Araby Trail – Also known as “The Trail to the Stars” since it climbs above Bob Hope and the late Steve McQueen’s houses. Climb 800 feet over a six mile roundtrip hike. Close to Palm Springs.

Art Smith Trail – This is a full day hike that takes you up 1,200 feet over 16 miles. There are plenty of palm oases along the route for shady breaks. Access is via Highway 74 out of Palm Desert.

Bear Creek Urban Trail – The hike takes you along the western edge of La Quinta and offers great views, especially at sunrise and before sunset on the way to an oasis. It’s about 6 miles round-trip.

Big Split Rock Slot Canyon Walkabout – This is an easy 6-mile Mecca Hills area hike with lots of slot canyons to explore.

Cactus to Clouds hike – This probably gives you the biggest elevation gain in one day in the entire continental US. Hike 22 miles over 10,400 feet of vertical and then take the tram down. Access the start of the hike from Palm Springs.

Clara Burgess Trail – This takes you to the top of Murray Hill. You’ll get great views and a strenuous workout as you climb 1,400 feet. Close to Palm Springs.

Lost Canyon via the Boo Hoff Trail – Enjoy diverse terrain and amazing views on this strenuous 8 mile, 1,500 foot hike in the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains, accessed by driving several miles south of Indio.

South Lykken Trail – The South Lykken Trail is a favourite of many Palm Spring locals. The trail traverses the San Jacinto Mountains above Palm Springs. Hike 9 miles one way with a moderate elevation gain of 800 feet.

Palm Canyon Pines to Palms Trail – Phillip Ferranti calls this a 5-star hike. Lose 3,200 feet of elevation over 16 miles as you hike through a number of ecosystems. Access this one off of Highway 74, 18 miles from Palm Desert.

Spitler Peak Trail – Hike 10 miles and climb over 2,000 feet to reach the summit. It can be done year round. Access the trailhead in the hills close to Idyllwild.

Zen Center to Red Tahquitz Overlook – Try this 12 mile hike on a very scenic section of the Pacific Coast Trail. It’s about 37 miles from Palm Desert, high in the hills off of Highway 74.

The start of the Pines to Palms Trail
The start of the Pines to Palms Trail

Safety precautions hiking on Palm Springs area trails

"Rattlesnake Warning"
Rattlesnake Warning

Navigation: The backcountry trails of the Coachella Valley are often not signed and tend to be on the remote side. Take more precautions than you would on your average well trampled National Park trail. Take a map and compass or GPS or download a hiking app like Organic Maps that works offline. Pay attention to the trails. This is particularly important in some of the canyon country where it is easy to get confused with the side canyons.

Plan ahead: Don’t hike alone and do communicate with someone to let them know your planned destination and your expected time of return.

Water: Take plenty of water. Plan on consuming one litre of water per hour and when you’ve finished half of your water turn around.

Sun protection: Carry sun protection – lip balm, sunscreen and sunglasses. Wear a wide brim sun hat. Also carry an extra layer of clothing for when the sun goes down.

Snakes: Beware of rattlesnakes. To avoid a bite be vigilant looking for them and stay on marked trails. Wear high top boots, long pants and carry a walking stick. Make noise.

Most of all enjoy the sunshine and the truly lovely hiking that few people take advantage of when they visit Palm Springs.

Palm trees in the most unlikely of places
Palm trees in the most unlikely of places
Palm Springs area location map
Palm Springs area location map

Where to stay in Palm Springs

On one visit we stayed at the exceptionally rated Desert Riviera Hotel – not far from the entrance to the Indian Canyons. The owners were incredibly helpful and the rooms were great – but not fancy. They have bikes you can use free of charge.

The Korakia Pensione is a Moroccan-inspired retreat with a complementary full-cooked breakfast.

ARRIVE Palm Springs is an adults-only hotel, 1.6 miles away from downtown Palm Springs. It features a swimming pool and dog-friendly accommodation and is rated as fabulous.

Location map of the hikes in the Palm Springs area

                                                             

Further reading about hiking in the United States

Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.

5 of the must do hikes in the Palm Springs area + 11 more ideas from a local

 

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