The Desert Wants You to Walk Into It

Most people come to Palm Springs for the pool. This is understandable. The pools here are extraordinary. But just beyond the hotels, just past the end of Palm Canyon Drive, the desert opens into one of the finest hiking destinations in all of Southern California — and most visitors never make it that far.

They are missing something genuinely remarkable.

Palm Springs offers three distinct hiking areas: trails within the city itself, the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation's Indian Canyons and Tahquitz Canyon, and Mount San Jacinto State Park — accessible via the Aerial Tramway. Together, they offer more than 170 miles of trails, from flat family walks to steep elevation gains. Whatever kind of hiker you are, Palm Springs has a trail that fits.

For the first-timer: Andreas Canyon Trail

Just one mile long, this loop is shaded by towering fan palms with more than 150 plant species — less like a desert hike and more like walking through a secret garden. The sound of a stream running alongside the main path adds to its oasis-like charm. It is the rare trail that surprises even people who thought they knew what to expect from the desert.

For the waterfall seeker: Tahquitz Canyon

Towering palm trees, dramatic rock formations, and a stunning 60-foot waterfall pouring down a granite cliff await at the end of this two-mile loop. The canyon holds deep significance for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians — the Tahquitz Canyon Visitor Center tells that story well before the trail begins. Recent hikers describe it as moderate in difficulty and fairly well maintained. Bring water. The sun finds you quickly once the canyon opens up.

For the serious hiker: Murray Canyon Trail

Six miles through rugged desert scenery, lined with towering palms, with the possibility of spotting bighorn sheep — and at the two-kilometer mark, the trail's highlight: Seven Falls, a succession of cascading waterfalls that feels like a genuine discovery. Take a swim if the water's running. You've earned it.

For the committed: Cactus to Clouds

This one is not for the casual weekend hiker and should not be attempted in June's heat — but it deserves a mention because it is one of the most extraordinary trails in the United States. The Cactus to Clouds hike gains 10,400 feet over 22 miles — beginning at the desert floor and ending at the summit of Mount San Jacinto. Most hikers descend via the Aerial Tramway, which is either cheating or simply wisdom, depending on your perspective. Plan this one for fall.

A note on summer hiking in Palm Springs: The valley floor in June is hot — genuinely, seriously hot. For summer hiking, go early, go high, I'm talking altitude, or go into the canyons where the shade is real, and the creek is still running. The Indian Canyons are your best option. Ranger-led interpretive hikes run Friday through Sunday — a worthwhile way to understand what you're walking through.

The desert has been here for a very long time. It knows what it's doing. Go walk in it.

Where to Go:

• Indian Canyons — S. Palm Canyon Dr., Palm Springs | 760-323-6018
• Tahquitz Canyon — Tahquitz Canyon Way, Palm Springs | 760-416-7044
• Palm Springs Aerial Tramway — 1 Tram Way, Palm Springs | pstramway.com