Andreas Canyon Trail (Indian Canyons)
Easy 1.2-mile loop along shady Andreas Creek through a palm oasis in the Indian Canyons. Admission fee at the toll gate.
View profile →Public trails across the valley: palm oases in the Indian Canyons, National Monument trails above Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage, the La Quinta Cove, and high-country hikes from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Some charge admission and some close seasonally or in summer heat.
22 hiking trails are listed across the valley right now, including Andreas Canyon Trail (Indian Canyons), Art Smith Trail and Bear Creek Trail. Each one has its own page with the location, details and a link to the official site.

Easy 1.2-mile loop along shady Andreas Creek through a palm oasis in the Indian Canyons. Admission fee at the toll gate.
View profile →Signature 8.3-mile National Monument trail with 1,465 feet of climb through hidden canyons and palm oases. Strenuous. Bighorn sheep are often seen. No dogs.
View profile →4.75-mile paved path from Eisenhower Drive and Calle Tampico along the Cove to the Fred Wolff Nature Preserve and the Cove Oasis Trailhead. Easy and flat, with mountain views.
View profile →Easy 0.6-mile climb from Rancho Mirage City Hall to a shaded picnic table and a panoramic view. Connects to the Jack Rabbit Trail. Dogs allowed.
View profile →La Quinta's classic mountain hike, starting at the Cove Oasis Trailhead and climbing into the Santa Rosa Mountains. The trailhead has picnic tables, a water fountain and a bronze relief trail map.
View profile →The most popular workout trail in the National Monument: 1.1 miles and 523 feet of climb, or a 3-mile loop with the Hopalong Cassidy and Herb Jeffries trails. Moderate. No dogs.
View profile →Easy 2.2-mile loop carved into the hillside from the Roadrunner trailhead, a favorite with trail runners and mountain bikers. Dogs allowed on a leash.
View profile →Moderate 4.8-mile round trip with 330 feet of climb, over a saddle from the Cove and down a desert wash to Lake Cahuilla. 3 to 4 hours. No dogs.
View profile →Short, easy trail from Cahuilla Hills Park that links to a 2.3-mile loop with the Hopalong Cassidy and Herb Jeffries trails, or up to the cross. Dogs allowed to the Hopalong Cassidy junction.
View profile →Popular half-mile climb of 733 feet from Homme-Adams Park that connects to the Hopalong Cassidy Trail and the cross on top of the mountain. Moderate. Dogs allowed.
View profile →Strenuous 8.3-mile rollercoaster trail above Palm Desert, from Painters Path to the Art Smith Trail, passing the lighted cross. Dogs allowed only from the Gabby Hayes junction to the cross.
View profile →Easy 1.2-mile loop at the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, with overlooks of the whole valley out to the Salton Sea. Tram ticket required. Cooler than the desert floor.
View profile →Moderate 4.7-mile loop, about 3 hours and 450 feet of climb, through palm-lined Murray Canyon in the Indian Canyons. Admission fee at the toll gate.
View profile →Steep, rocky climb from behind the Palm Springs Art Museum to picnic tables with views over downtown. Free. Connects to the North Lykken Trail.
View profile →Hard climb of about 4.5 miles round trip from the west end of Ramon Road, ending at the Art Museum where it meets the Museum Trail. No shade. Free.
View profile →The largest fan palm oasis in North America, on Agua Caliente tribal land. Walk the main oasis and return on the Victor Trail for a 1 to 2 hour hike, or follow Palm Canyon for miles. Admission fee at the Indian Canyons toll gate.
View profile →Easy 2.4-mile loop with about 400 feet of climb at the National Monument Visitor Center. A good first desert hike, with a plant guide from the visitor center. No dogs.
View profile →The easiest route to the 10,834-foot summit: about 11 miles round trip and 2,500 feet of climb from the Tram's Mountain Station. Strenuous. Get a free wilderness permit at the state park ranger station.
View profile →Long ridge trail of about 7 miles between Mesquite Avenue and South Palm Canyon Drive, with big views over Palm Springs. Free.
View profile →1.8-mile strenuous loop to a waterfall on Agua Caliente tribal land, with ranger-led hikes. Admission fee; open daily 7:30 AM to 5 PM Oct. 1 to July 5, then Fri to Sun only. Bring water; there's little shade.
View profile →Start of the Coachella Valley Preserve's 25-plus miles of trails, including the McCallum Trail along the San Andreas Fault. Free. Open Sat and Sun 7 AM to 3 PM May through October. No pets, and no on-site parking right now.
View profile →Free Wildlands Conservancy preserve in Whitewater Canyon, northwest of Palm Springs, with hiking trails in the canyon. Open 8 AM to 5 PM; reservations recommended.
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