Indian Canyons: The Palm Oasis Hikes Above Palm Springs

Three canyons, one gate

You pay once at the gate on South Palm Canyon Drive and then drive to the trailheads. Give yourself at least half a day; ambitious hikers can spend a full one.

Palm Canyon — the famous one

A 15-mile canyon whose first mile is the single most photographed place in Palm Springs hiking: a dense ribbon of native fan palms following a year-round stream, with a paved overlook, picnic tables, and a trading post selling maps, jewelry, and cold drinks. Walk 15 minutes for the classic view, or continue up the canyon for miles — the crowds thin out almost immediately past the grove.

• **Easy option:** the paved overlook and the first half mile of the Palm Canyon Trail.
• **Real hike:** Palm Canyon Trail as far as you like, out and back. Turn around at 2 miles for a comfortable morning.

Andreas Canyon — the best short hike

A **1.2-mile loop** along a rocky creek beneath roughly 150 fan palms and towering rock formations, with Cahuilla mortars visible in boulders along the way. Flat, shaded in stretches, and beautiful in every direction — this is the hike to do if you only have an hour, and it works with kids.

Murray Canyon — the best half-day

From the Andreas parking area, the Murray Canyon Trail runs about **4 miles round trip** to the **Seven Sisters** waterfalls, a chain of small cascades and pools in a narrow rock gorge. Expect creek crossings, some rock scrambling near the end, and far fewer people than Palm Canyon. Best from winter through spring when water is running.

The bigger routes

For serious hikers, the same gate opens onto real mountain terrain:

• **Victor Trail and Vandeventer Trail loops** — ridge routes above Palm Canyon with panoramic valley views, 4 to 6 miles depending on your combination.
• **Fern Canyon and the longer connectors** — long, exposed, and empty; carry far more water than usual.
• **South Lykken Trail** — accessed nearby off South Palm Canyon, a steep climb to picnic tables with the best downtown-Palm-Springs overlook in the city.

Hours, tickets, and logistics

• **Where:** 38500 S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs, at the road's end.
• **Hours:** typically 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily in season (October through June); summer often runs Friday through Sunday with earlier closing. Confirm before driving out.
• **Admission:** about $12 adults and $6 children; guided ranger hikes cost a little extra and are worth it.
• **Dogs:** leashed dogs are permitted on Indian Canyons trails — unlike Tahquitz Canyon.
• **Facilities:** restrooms and the trading post at Palm Canyon; picnic tables at Palm and Andreas. No water on trails.

When to go

**November through April** is prime: mild temperatures, running water, and green palms. **Spring** adds wildflowers on the lower slopes. In **summer**, hike only at opening time and stick to Andreas — the exposed canyon routes are genuinely dangerous above 100°F. Mornings are always better than afternoons here; the canyons face east and lose light early.

Doing Indian Canyons and Tahquitz in one day

They are both Agua Caliente sites, about 15 minutes apart, with separate admission. The efficient plan: Tahquitz Canyon at opening for the waterfall, then the Indian Canyons for the Andreas Canyon loop before lunch. Both done, back at a pool by 1 p.m.