The 12 Best Hikes in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley

Easy palm-oasis walks

1. Andreas Canyon Loop (Indian Canyons) — The operator lists 1.2 miles, easy, with 200 feet of elevation gain. The loop follows a creek through a palm oasis. It is not entirely flat; check footing and suitability for children in your group.

2. Palm Canyon Trail (Indian Canyons) — the headline grove. Choose a marked route from the Trading Post area using the official map. The canyon has multiple route combinations; choose a turnaround for your group's ability and current conditions.

3. Coachella Valley Preserve / Thousand Palms Oasis — a boardwalk through a spring-fed palm grove on the San Andreas Fault, north of Palm Desert. Nearly flat, genuinely strange, and free.

Waterfall and canyon hikes

4. Tahquitz Canyon — The official 1.8-mile loop gains 350 feet and is rated strenuous, with steep rock steps and very little shade. Waterfall flow is seasonal. Read the Tahquitz Canyon guide for tickets, last entry and ranger-led options.

5. Murray Canyon to the Seven Sisters (Indian Canyons) — The operator's mapped Murray Canyon route with the Coffman variation is 4.7 miles, moderate, with 450 feet of gain. Check the exact route and current Seven Sisters access; do not substitute that distance for every out-and-back option.

Ridge climbs and workouts

6. Bump and Grind (Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage line) — the local ritual: roughly 4 miles round trip, relentlessly uphill, no shade, and a summit view over the whole east valley. Busy at 6 a.m., which tells you everything.

7. South Lykken Trail — a steep climb off South Palm Canyon Drive to picnic tables directly above downtown Palm Springs. The best city overlook in town, and a reliable sunset hike in winter.

8. North Lykken and the Museum Trail — starts behind the Palm Springs Art Museum and climbs hard and fast to a picnic-table overlook. Half an hour of work for the best free view downtown.

9. Cove-to-Lake Trail (La Quinta) — about 5 miles one way from the La Quinta Cove over a ridge to Lake Cahuilla, with big views the whole way. Shuttle it or turn around at the saddle.

High country, when the desert is too hot

10. San Jacinto Peak from the Aerial Tramway — check current Tramway operations and mountain conditions, then ride to 8,516 feet at the Mountain Station, then hike roughly 11 miles round trip through pine and granite to a 10,834-foot summit. A free self-issue wilderness permit is required. A serious day and the best hike in the region.

11. Round Valley Loop (Mountain Station) — about 5 miles at altitude through meadow and forest for those who want the tram's cool air without the summit commitment. Mountain weather can differ sharply from the valley; check current temperatures, trail access and storm conditions before choosing it.

Day-trip hikes worth the drive

12. Joshua Tree National Park — an hour away, with Hidden Valley (1 mile), Barker Dam (1.3 miles), and Ryan Mountain (3 miles, steep, huge views). Our Joshua Tree day-trip guide has the full route and entrance strategy.

Desert hiking rules that actually matter

• Check weather and opening times first. Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon have gates; sunrise is not their opening time. Skip hiking when heat, storms or closures make conditions unsuitable.
• Carry water. Both canyon operators require it and recommend at least one quart per person per hour as a rule of thumb. Adjust your plan to conditions, and do not rely on finding drinking water on a trail.
• Check gate hours. Tahquitz Canyon and the Indian Canyons are ticketed tribal sites with seasonal, sometimes weekend-only summer hours.
• Wear footwear with grip. Steep or uneven rock steps require balance as well as appropriate shoes.
• Watch for rattlesnakes on warm mornings and evenings — give them room and they leave.
• Pets: prohibited in both Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon. Joshua Tree has limited pet-permitted areas and paved exceptions; follow the current NPS pet guidance.

Best hiking season

November through April is prime, with running water, green palms, and mild temperatures. March and April add wildflowers. May and October can still bring dangerous heat. In June through September, a dawn start does not guarantee suitable conditions. Check current forecasts and closures, and choose an indoor plan when hiking is unsuitable.

For an Indian Canyons-focused stay, compare South Palm Springs hotels for hikers before choosing a room.