Palm Springs is a city designed to be explored and enjoyed no matter when you arrive. While some set their sights on city-center fun, others find their joy out on the best hikes in Palm Springs. The good news is, your hiker’s journey to Palm Springs come with ample options for exploration and discovery. The following are a few of the many trails you’ll want to be sure to add to your itinerary the next time your travel plans bring you to sunny California.
Day 1: Enjoy a Trek Along Araby Trail
Palm Springs has a way of pairing natural beauty with the idea of celebrity in seamless style. For those who are heading this way with a passion for hiking and looking to make the most of both, you’ll want to begin your journey on the Araby Trail. This route offers up six scenic miles to explore on an out and back path. The trailhead is easily accessible near the Southridge/Rimcrest development. While nature on this trail is certainly at its very best, many adventurers are also drawn to the fact that the Araby Trail runs within reach of the iconic Bob and Delores Hope estate which was designed by John Lautner. For architecture enthusiasts or Bob Hope fans, this is a one-of-a-kind trail experience you simply won’t want to miss while you’re in the area.
Day 2: Check Out the Cahuilla Recreational Area
When visitors make their way to Palm Springs, they always find that there are opportunities to pair outdoor fun with other adventures as well. A great trail to trek if you’re looking to immerse yourself in natural beauty and also expand your outdoor recreation itinerary along the way is the Lake Cahuilla Recreational Area. This scenic locale is loved by locals and visitors alike and is refreshingly easy to find just six miles from the bustling scene of Old Town La Quinta. In total, the Lake Cahuilla recreational Area encompasses 710 acres of terrain that fabulously showcase the Santa Rosa Mountain foothills through a maze of inviting trails. This is a family-friendly area to enjoy if you’re in town with everyone in tow. Those who are looking to make even more of the experience can pair their hiking outings here with options to fish or book a horseback riding tour too!
Day 3: Capture the Fun of a Casual Hike Along the Andreas Canyon Trail
It’s hard to imagine a hiking-focused getaway to Palm Springs without at last some time spent at the infamous Indian Canyons. This is one of the most popular stops among hikers in the area for good reason. The trails that run through Indian Canyons are integrated into the historic tribal grounds that belonged to the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. In total, there are over 60 miles of hiking trails to explore, but those who are up for a scenic two-mile adventure will want to focus their efforts on the Andreas Canyon Trail. This route enjoys a stream that promotes lush vegetation and rocky canyon views too. It’s a great choice for a relatively easy hike where you can stop along the way and enjoy photographing the landscape if that’s a hobby you enjoy.
Day 4: Explore the Morongo Canyon Preserve
Birding enthusiasts who also love to hike will find that Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is a must-visit when they find themselves in the greater Palm Springs area. Head over to the Morongo Valley off Highway 62 to access the trailhead leading through 31,000 preserved acres of tantalizing terrain. When you visit the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, entrance is free of charge, and you’ll find it’s a simple task to customize your hike according to skill level and preference. There are trails that run through the landscape that range from a mile to 11-mile round trip hikes. A highlight of hiking in Palm Springs is the opportunity to observe a variety of diverse plant life as well as bird species. In fact, you’re definitely going to want to bring your binoculars for this trek as there are more than 240 bird species recorded here!
Day 5: Pair Your Hiking and Museum Hopping
Palm Springs is a city packed with amazing museums to check out, but your inspiration doesn’t end with the galleries. When you make your way to the Palm Springs Art Museum, you’ll also find there’s a hiking trail to explore that’s accessible behind the north parking lot. The trail offers two miles of terrain to explore and enjoys a 900-foot elevation gain too. Many hikers head here to make the most of a picnic at the top of the trail where you can pair a flavorful moment with great city and valley views.
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