Art Smith Trail
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.
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Local directory
Outdoors in Palm Desert, CA
Palm Desert is the middle of the Coachella Valley and its main shopping and dining hub. It has El Paseo, the McCallum Theatre, The Living Desert and College of the Desert, plus neighborhoods like Sun City Palm Desert. Its residents call local businesses for everything from roofing and air conditioning to dinner on El Paseo.
Outdoors covers the valley's public hiking trails, from easy oasis walks to all-day mountain climbs in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains. Start early, carry more water than you think you need, and check the managing agency's page for seasonal closures.
6 outdoors are listed in Palm Desert right now, including Art Smith Trail, Bump and Grind Trail and Gabby Hayes Trail. Each one has its own page with the location, details and a link to the official site.
Bump and Grind Trail
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 →Gabby Hayes Trail
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 →Homestead Trail to the Cross
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 →Hopalong Cassidy Trail
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 →Randall Henderson Trail
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.
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