Colin's Palm Springs Getaway Vacation Rental Condo

Hiking

Hiking in Palm Springs Will Give You The Most Amazing Views

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Hiking in Palm Springs

There are dozens of hiking trails all around Palm Springs, most of them just a few minutes away from town.

A good moderate hike with wonderful views is Tahquitz Canyon in Palm Springs. The entry is at the end of Mesquite towards the mountain off of S. Palm Canyon. There is an admission fee of $12.50 adults/$6 children under 12, and there are guides if you like. You can also watch a short film on the Legend of Tahquitz, a Cahuilla Indian shaman who is said to be seen as a ball of green light.

Another great place to hike and explore is Indian Canyons in south Palm Springs. There is an admission fee of $9/$5. One of my favorite hikes is the Murray Canyon Trail just after you enter the admission gate. It starts off flat and open, then winds through a beautiful canyon to the “seven sisters” falls which run in the spring and early summer. If you take the main road all the way back, there is a trading post and many hikes through an oasis and along the creek.

 

Good (and free) local hikes can be found in the book “140 Hikes in and near Palm Springs” by Philip Ferranti. Most popular are the various segments of the Lykken Trail, the Skyline Trail, Oswit Canyon, and the many trails available at the top of the Palm Springs Tram.

Recommendation: Hiking in Palm Springs can be deceptively dangerous in warmer weather. If you are planning to hike in the warmer months, read this safety guide before you go: Hiking Safely in Palm Springs

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Hiking Safely in Palm Springs During Summer

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Hiking in Palm Springs

Palm Springs offers some of the most amazing hiking, and most of it is just minutes from the center of town. Whether you choose to just park roadside and take in the Lykken or Rimrock trails, or pay to visit the oases at Tahquitz Canyon or Indian Canyon, it’s important to be prepared as the temperatures get over 100 degrees. Travelers around the world love our “dry heat” but they also sometimes find themselves in trouble. Many have had to be airlifted to safety (or worse) after getting lost or running out of water. When the temperatures are over 100 degrees, consider shorter hikes and make sure to:

  • Go out early, and be aware that heat stroke and dehydration can happen even at less then 100 degrees.
  • Drink water an hour before hiking and bring lots of water with you. Take sips often and stay hydrated. Thirst is a sign of dehydration. Gatorade and other sports drinks are good as well.
  • Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothes and good hiking boots or shoes. Apply sunscreen on any skin that isn’t covered. Wear a wide brimmed hat.
  • Always stay on the trail. Hikers that get into serious trouble are almost always off-trail.
  • Bring energizing snacks like trail mix or energy bars.
  • Carry a well-charged cell phone with you.
  •  Hike with a buddy, and let someone know where you will be hiking and what time you expect to return.

Finally, if you are an inexperienced hiker, or hiking with the family, the best bet is to take the Aerial Tramway up the mountain where it is much cooler at 8500 ft elevation. Safety rules apply there as well, but you are much less likely to run into trouble.