Hiking Trails

Mountains surround the Coachella Valley, which makes for great hiking and outdoor adventures! There are countless hikes to explore, but within this post I'm going to write about a few of my favorite hikes.

IndianCanyons

This is an area located on an Indian Reservation in south Palm Springs. There is an admission price of $9 for adults and $5 for kids (6-12; 5 & under are free). Visitors can visit the canyons between 8am and 5pm.

There are different trails within the reservation. One of my favorites is Murray Canyon that leads to a series of waterfalls named the Seven Sisters. If there has been heavy rain over the year, you’ll be crossing streams and plentiful waterfalls. Unfortunately, with the drought we’re currently experiencing the waterfalls are minimal. This hike is 4 miles out and back.

If you’re looking for a guided experience, rangers lead hikes on weekends at 10am and 1pm, these are about 1 mile long and last for an hour and a half.

Bump and Grind

This is a 3.4-mile loop trail, you can find the trailhead behind the Target shopping desert in Palm Desert. The views aren’t as breathtaking as other trails in the valley, but this is a great conditioning hike. One of the best things is it’s free!

Ladder Canyon

You can find this 4.3-mile loop trail near Desert Center in the Mecca Hills. It is a moderate hike that takes you through slot canyons and one of the most unique aspects of this trail is the series of ladders you climb to reach different levels. This is a fun hike that people of all ages can experience. It’s best to go between October and April, for cooler temperatures.

Mt. SanJacinto via Tram

Take a trip up the Palm Springs Aerial Tram and you’ll feel worlds away from the desert below. Tramcars take visitors up to Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Up top you’ll find numerous trails, including one to the summit. If you visit during the winter, you will enter a winter wonderland where you can build snowmen, sled, cross-country ski, and snowshoe.