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My wife and I experienced our 1st hiking trail here!! We had a blast. We chose this spot because of the reviews and they had a short one for first timers. The fee is cheap to get in and you can spend as much time as you need to enjoy the atmosphere . It was rejuvenating. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Bring water!! There is only one bathroom at the beginning where you park your car. They only con is that it was a bit confusing getting here because the address on the website does not get us there when we put it into the GPS. We drove around twice and then called and someone guided us there.
A little nature oasis in Palm Springs and in the middle of the dessert. It's nice to have a hiking spot even closer than Joshua Tree. It's not part of the National Park Pass so it's an additional charge to enter. Be sure to use the restrooms by the giftshop before making the descent down to the Palm Trees. The most popular Palm Canyon Trail is a relatively easy hike for the first mile or so where my senior parents were able to walk it pretty well. My partner and I decided to do Victor Trail which was 2.7 mile loop with Palm Canyon trail. This trail is one of the most scenic trails, going above the canyon onto the ridge that overlooks it and return the hiker to the Trading Post. It was a great hike to see a lot of different angles of the canyons. They are strict on the closing time at 5PM where the patrol will walk around the cars to make sure owners are nearby to exit the park.
Such a beautiful place to hike. It costs to enter and once it's too busy they don't allow anymore entries until people start leaving. Multiple trails. Has a store to buy water or small snack items like boiled eggs. They recommend a certain amount of liters per hiker. I loved learning about the history.
Indian Canyons: Palm Springs Tagquitz Canyon: Palm Springs Fascinating walk through nature. So many different paths to meet all sorts of skill, strength, and experience levels. The waterways path is a ton of fun for the kids! Be mindful of the clock and calendar for heat extremes. Also, BRING WATER!
This place is so darn cool, beautiful scenery, not really any bugs, nothing to crazy, take the kiddos if you want a day out in the sun. The spring time is the absolute best time to go.
What a beautiful spot for a hike. For a small fee explore several trails and drive through the rock tunnel. I would recommend for hikers of all abilities as there are options for everyone.
Awesome spot to hike, one of my favorites of all time. Fun fact: California Fan Palms are the only native species to California and they exist natively within these canyons. All other palms you see are transplanted. Definitely bring water on this hike, it can get insanely hot in the summer. Even when it isn't, it's a relatively strenuous hike depending on how far you go.
Great place to spend a day of hiking! There is a $12 entrance fee per adult in the car. We came on a Friday in early December and it wasn't crowded at all. The temperatures were in the upper 70s and it felt pretty warm on the hike. We did the Andreas Canyon loop and the Murray Canyon hike. The Andreas trail is an easy hike and you get to see clusters of palm trees along the way. We continued on after the Andreas Canyon trail to the Murray Canyon trail, which is rated as moderate. The Murray Canyon trail was fairly easy until the very end if you want to see the water fall you have to climb up some rock formations. There are multiple small creek crossings along the way. I felt like signage wasn't the best. There were a few spots on the trail that we weren't sure which way to go and also there's certain forks in the road where it splits for horses and for people. Hiking the Murray Canyon trail took us about 2 hours so plan accordingly.
A hidden gem that feels like a National Park! Plenty of shade, cool breezes, and stunning views. It's one of my favorite trails to date and I'd visit again in a heartbeat. Highly recommend--you definitely won't regret it.
My wife and I drove to the Indian Canyons to check it out and go for a hike. We chose the Victoria Trail, which is a 3-mile loop. It started off pretty easy, especially while walking through the palms, but once we began circling around the mountain, the trail got more challenging. Since we hadn't been hiking in a while, it felt tougher than usual. The views along the trail were incredible. We saw a few critters--nothing too exciting--and passed a couple who said they had seen a rattlesnake up ahead, but we never came across it. We're looking forward to coming back and doing it again.
A true oasis not far from downtown Palm Springs! Admission costs $12 per adult, which I'd consider reasonable for the stunning scenery you'll encounter. Seniors (62+) and students are $7, and children (6-12) are $6. While parked at the Andreas Loop Trailhead, one of the park rangers walked by and said that trail and the Palm Canyon Trail are the two best ones that this park has to offer. Both will take you through the California Palms and are considered "easy". ANDREAS LOOP TRAIL (1.2 mi loop): This hike starts at ground level along a river and gradually increases in elevation. You will need to step over boulders and the path is very rocky / uneven in some areas, so just watch your footing and grip onto the rocks for balance. After crossing a short bridge, you'll trek up an incline and then at the top, you'll get an overhead view of all the Palms. Continuing along the trail will lead you back to the parking area. PALM CANYON TRAIL (2 mi out & back): Drive about two miles in and the road will lead right to the parking area. As you approach, the road gets pretty narrow, but there's plenty of parking in the main lot and an overflow lot if needed. The path first consists of a couple downhill switchbacks and a walk through the sand before reaching the actual start of the trail. It's not that rocky, but there were some uneven areas and the dirt paths can also be slippery since they're so dry. Walking through the California Palms was like a dream and such a unique experience that's hard to describe in words. The trail ends at a fork that splits off to a couple other trails if you want to extend the hike. Otherwise, just turn back and enjoy a walk back through the Palms one more time. Those two are the most popular hikes, but there are others that I assume take you through more desolate trails as the map labels them as "moderate" and "hard". Both trailheads have portable toilets and sinks with soap & paper towels. Your shoes will get covered in sand, so it was great to at least have a place to clean them before hopping back in the car. Also, if you forget to pack snacks beforehand, there is a trading post at Palm Canyon where you can get souvenirs, food and water.
Palm Canyon is one of the areas of great beauty in Western North America. Its indigenous flora and fauna, which the Cahuilla people so expertly used, and its abundant Washingtonia filifera (California Fan Palm) are breathtaking contrasts to the stark rocky gorges and barren desert lands beyond. We did these trails, recommend it Palm Canyon Trail - 2.6 miles easy Andrea's Canyon - 1.5 miles easy West Fork Fall - 300 meters easy Murray Canyon to Wayward Mine Trail - 6 miles hard but worth it. Finished all trails in 6 hours with breaks . Recommended Electrolytes, water, hat, and good comfortable shoes with good grip, something saltine will help if you want to do all of them. They have bathrooms in every trail before start. Enjoy the trails and please leave no trace.
3 months ago
As we all know, it is always hot in Palm Springs. 365, 24/7. This review is a bit overdue. A friend of mine wanted to go to Palm Springs and suggested for us to go on this tour. Instead of driving, we decided to get a tour and let them guide us and drive us around. Well, it was a 2 hour tour and Tony, our guide, kind of spent a little extra time with us, after other people got off the tram. Weather was just perfect. We loved everything about this tour. It is breathtaking, beautiful, peaceful and relaxing. The tour included hiking, taking couple of photos, and other things..We took the Palm Canyon trail which is relatively an easy hike for the 1st mile. Gorgeous views to stop by and take photos. Beautiful waterfalls and can also be fun for children. We were there earlier this year and that's all I can say and remember about this tour. I highly recommend to all. Prices are $12.00 for adults, $10.00 for seniors and kids. They have a gift shop, restroom at the front of the entrance, plenty of parking spaces and it was a memorable experience. We are both glad that we took this tour. :-) Make sure you are out by 5pm, they will nicely escort you to your vehicles. Take extra clothes to change, pretty humid; and a gallon/bottles of water. Wear comfortable tennis shoes. Thank you Tony & Indian Canyons tour.. read more
7 months ago
What a spectacular experience. So much to learn about the Indians that lived here and why. From a nice cool walk under the trees next to the natural water flowing up through the ground then to some fabulous hiking with glorious views of the mountains to all the creatures that live all around it. Keep your eyes open for all of them and especially for the dangerous ones hiding around rocks. Stay away from the selfies with them. Shouldn't have to say it but.... Well worth the $12.00 entry fee per car. Come here when it's hot for a cooler experience under the trees or winter for some good hiking. This is Palm Springs after all. read more
Nov, 2025. Palm Springs, CA. "The Indian Canyons are the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. These canyons are especially sacred to the Cahuilla people today and are historically important to scientists and nature lovers. The Cahuilla people have thrived here for thousands of years. Ancient trails, rock art, house pits, foundations, irrigation ditches, dams, reservoirs, and food preparation areas still exist in the canyons." While there are many hiking trails in the Indian Canyons, our preference was to hike one of them that offered some shade. (While Palm Springs was only expected to reach 81 degrees today, it feels hotter when you're hiking in direct sun!) We spoke to a friendly ranger near the Trading Post, and he suggested that the two trails with shade are: (1) Palm Canyon, which is described as a moderated-graded footpath that winds down into the canyon for picnicking near the stream, meditating, exploring, hiking and equestrian trails. (2) Andreas Canyon, a tranquil setting with a one-mile walking loop and a year-round flowing stream showcasing magnificent palms and more than 150 species of plants. We chose the Palm Canyon hike as we were already close to its trailhead. The trail was mostly wide, well-maintained, and dry. It's an out-and-back trail that's 0.9 miles in each direction. Total elevation change is 224'. At the 0.9-mile mark, it intersects with other trails that allow you to lengthen the distance of your hike. For instance, there was an option to return via another route that would be 2.0 miles (rather than 0.9), but it appeared that it would be mostly in the sun so we decided against it. A few general observations: *this is a family-friendly trail, and there were quite a few kids on the trail. It is NOT stroller-friendly as there's a fairly steep descent at the beginning from the parking lot down to the palms. *the trail was crowded on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, 10:30 am, but many hikers turned after the first 1/4 to 1/2-mile. *there is an entry fee to enter Indian Canyons, but you're allowed to hike as many trails as you'd capable of doing during operating hours. Adult admission is $12, seniors (62+) and students are $7, children (6-12): $6, and U.S. military, and first responders are free. HINT: we purchased our tickets at the Palm Springs Visitors Center and got a $1 discount per ticket. *there are regularly scheduled ranger-led interpretive hikes and ranger talks. *there are three parking areas, all with port-a-potties. *some concessions, including water and Gatorade, are available at the Trading Post, but there aren't any public fountains so make sure to bring a lot of water for this desert environment. *we didn't see any creatures, but you need to careful of where you step or place your hands as there are rattlesnakes in the canyon. *signage is good, but it's also easy to unintentionally go off-trail as there are quite a few unofficial trails. We enjoyed our visit to the Indian Canyons, and will return to do some of the other hikes. read more
1 year ago
My wife and I experienced our 1st hiking trail here!! We had a blast. We chose this spot because of the reviews and they had a short one for first timers. The fee is cheap to get in and you can spend as much time as you need to enjoy the atmosphere . It was rejuvenating. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Bring water!! There is only one bathroom at the beginning where you park your car. They only con is that it was a bit confusing getting here because the address on the website does not get us there when we put it into the GPS. We drove around twice and then called and someone guided us there. read more
2 years ago
A little nature oasis in Palm Springs and in the middle of the dessert. It's nice to have a hiking spot even closer than Joshua Tree. It's not part of the National Park Pass so it's an additional charge to enter. Be sure to use the restrooms by the giftshop before making the descent down to the Palm Trees. The most popular Palm Canyon Trail is a relatively easy hike for the first mile or so where my senior parents were able to walk it pretty well. My partner and I decided to do Victor Trail which was 2.7 mile loop with Palm Canyon trail. This trail is one of the most scenic trails, going above the canyon onto the ridge that overlooks it and return the hiker to the Trading Post. It was a great hike to see a lot of different angles of the canyons. They are strict on the closing time at 5PM where the patrol will walk around the cars to make sure owners are nearby to exit the park. read more
7 months ago
Such a beautiful place to hike. It costs to enter and once it's too busy they don't allow anymore entries until people start leaving. Multiple trails. Has a store to buy water or small snack items like boiled eggs. They recommend a certain amount of liters per hiker. I loved learning about the history. read more
Indian Canyons: Palm Springs Tagquitz Canyon: Palm Springs Fascinating walk through nature. So many different paths to meet all sorts of skill, strength, and experience levels. The waterways path is a ton of fun for the kids! Be mindful of the clock and calendar for heat extremes. Also, BRING WATER! read more
1 year ago
Awesome spot to hike, one of my favorites of all time. Fun fact: California Fan Palms are the only native species to California and they exist natively within these canyons. All other palms you see are transplanted. Definitely bring water on this hike, it can get insanely hot in the summer. Even when it isn't, it's a relatively strenuous hike depending on how far you go. read more
9 months ago
Great place to spend a day of hiking! There is a $12 entrance fee per adult in the car. We came on a Friday in early December and it wasn't crowded at all. The temperatures were in the upper 70s and it felt pretty warm on the hike. We did the Andreas Canyon loop and the Murray Canyon hike. The Andreas trail is an easy hike and you get to see clusters of palm trees along the way. We continued on after the Andreas Canyon trail to the Murray Canyon trail, which is rated as moderate. The Murray Canyon trail was fairly easy until the very end if you want to see the water fall you have to climb up some rock formations. There are multiple small creek crossings along the way. I felt like signage wasn't the best. There were a few spots on the trail that we weren't sure which way to go and also there's certain forks in the road where it splits for horses and for people. Hiking the Murray Canyon trail took us about 2 hours so plan accordingly. read more
9 months ago
A hidden gem that feels like a National Park! Plenty of shade, cool breezes, and stunning views. It's one of my favorite trails to date and I'd visit again in a heartbeat. Highly recommend--you definitely won't regret it. read more
My wife and I drove to the Indian Canyons to check it out and go for a hike. We chose the Victoria Trail, which is a 3-mile loop. It started off pretty easy, especially while walking through the palms, but once we began circling around the mountain, the trail got more challenging. Since we hadn't been hiking in a while, it felt tougher than usual. The views along the trail were incredible. We saw a few critters--nothing too exciting--and passed a couple who said they had seen a rattlesnake up ahead, but we never came across it. We're looking forward to coming back and doing it again. read more
3 years ago
A true oasis not far from downtown Palm Springs! Admission costs $12 per adult, which I'd consider reasonable for the stunning scenery you'll encounter. Seniors (62+) and students are $7, and children (6-12) are $6. While parked at the Andreas Loop Trailhead, one of the park rangers walked by and said that trail and the Palm Canyon Trail are the two best ones that this park has to offer. Both will take you through the California Palms and are considered "easy". ANDREAS LOOP TRAIL (1.2 mi loop): This hike starts at ground level along a river and gradually increases in elevation. You will need to step over boulders and the path is very rocky / uneven in some areas, so just watch your footing and grip onto the rocks for balance. After crossing a short bridge, you'll trek up an incline and then at the top, you'll get an overhead view of all the Palms. Continuing along the trail will lead you back to the parking area. PALM CANYON TRAIL (2 mi out & back): Drive about two miles in and the road will lead right to the parking area. As you approach, the road gets pretty narrow, but there's plenty of parking in the main lot and an overflow lot if needed. The path first consists of a couple downhill switchbacks and a walk through the sand before reaching the actual start of the trail. It's not that rocky, but there were some uneven areas and the dirt paths can also be slippery since they're so dry. Walking through the California Palms was like a dream and such a unique experience that's hard to describe in words. The trail ends at a fork that splits off to a couple other trails if you want to extend the hike. Otherwise, just turn back and enjoy a walk back through the Palms one more time. Those two are the most popular hikes, but there are others that I assume take you through more desolate trails as the map labels them as "moderate" and "hard". Both trailheads have portable toilets and sinks with soap & paper towels. Your shoes will get covered in sand, so it was great to at least have a place to clean them before hopping back in the car. Also, if you forget to pack snacks beforehand, there is a trading post at Palm Canyon where you can get souvenirs, food and water. read more
6 months ago
7 months ago
8 months ago
The views were amazing! We went in February and the flowers were bursting. It was a nice hike. Well worth the $12. read more
Palm Canyon is one of the areas of great beauty in Western North America. Its indigenous flora and fauna, which the Cahuilla people so expertly used, and its abundant Washingtonia filifera (California Fan Palm) are breathtaking contrasts to the stark rocky gorges and barren desert lands beyond. We did these trails, recommend it Palm Canyon Trail - 2.6 miles easy Andrea's Canyon - 1.5 miles easy West Fork Fall - 300 meters easy Murray Canyon to Wayward Mine Trail - 6 miles hard but worth it. Finished all trails in 6 hours with breaks . Recommended Electrolytes, water, hat, and good comfortable shoes with good grip, something saltine will help if you want to do all of them. They have bathrooms in every trail before start. Enjoy the trails and please leave no trace. read more
What a gem out in the desert! There is a line to get in and the fee is per person not vehicle. We did 2 hikes ( ran out of time) and you are in the desert and then you are among the tallest palms and running brooks! It is such a diverse surprise oh and the birds!!! We had a bit of a drizzle and the sounds were magical. Really a very unique ecosystem. The area is so well maintained & clean as well!!! read more
Had the best morning walking the canyons. Beautiful part of the area. So pristine, stunning views all around. We didn't have too much time so we did the easy hikes/walks. Very accessible for most people. Really close to downtown Palm Springs. A great way to spend a few hours or the day exploring the preserve. read more
11 months ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
We did the Andreas Canyon loop (1.5 miles) and it is a nice hike alongside the water and through an oasis of palms. There were several steep steps over rocks, parts where it was a little uncertain where to go, but overall not bad. There were little lizards scurrying about but thankfully no large slithering creatures were spotted. We came earlier in the day before it was too warm but the early part was nice with the shade from the palms. Lovely area! read more
We had a really nice time here at the Indian Canyons! The ticketing staff was super friendly and we were able to get two senior tickets for $7 each and one adult for $12. We parked at the Palms Canyon trailhead where the trading post (gift shop) is located. Their brochure said they have ranger talks at 10am and we basically had a personal session with ours on the picnic table outside. He shared the history of the land, which belongs to the Agua Caliente band of the Cahuila people, and how important preservation of nature is to them. The canyon is at the base of the San Jacinto mountains. We decided to do the Victor trail (moderate) as recommended by the park ranger, and we started by walking down into the palm canyon which is filled with hundreds of palm trees. This was refreshing as they provided plenty of shade during the first part of our hike, and there were streams and tree trunks as well. The second half of this trail was open in the sun and had several switchbacks and elevation. It was a 3 mile loop and took us about 1.5 hours, not including breaks. Beautiful scenery and lots of trails to choose from (60 miles of hiking), definitely recommend visiting here while in Palm Springs! read more
2 years ago
I loved my walk/hike on the Andreas walk. One mile easy with a few ups and downs and rocks to step over on the way. Beautiful scenery read more
3 years ago
My first full day in Palm Springs and I made it a complete day of hiking/outdoor time. I almost overlooked this area and so glad I read up some more and decided to check it out. Indian Canyons is on the ancestral home of the Aqua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. It's a beautiful and special area. Entry at the kiosk is $12 per person and they take cash or card. I arrived later in the day so opted for a shorter hike on the 1 mile loop of Andreas canyon. It was quite surprising to see the creek flowing and lots of small waterfalls along the way. The rock formations, fan palms and scenic views were quite something. The trail is fairly easy to navigate with some rocky areas and very little incline. After that I drove to the end of the park to the Trading Post gift shop where you can embark on a longer hike in Palm Canyon. I only ventured a short way down that to see more of the unique trees and lush greenery in the desert. Overall, it was a really nice way to cap off my day, I'm sure there are plenty of longer and even more scenic hiking opportunities-perfect reason to go back! read more
2 years ago
This place is otherworldly. The trees are 200-400 years old and formed within the San Andreas fault. Nice docents. Bathrooms available. read more
2 years ago
Great hiking especially, during the spring.... Peaceful & beautiful... something magical/ spiritual about it... read more
When the canyons are calling, I must heed their call. Here we go!! Indian Canyons are the ancestral home of the Cahuila Indians. These canyons are sacred to the Agua Caliente people and to nature lovers. There are three popular canyon trails located within these lands: Andreas, Murray and Palm. I came here at 0900 pst on a very warm Sunday morning to avoid the extreme heat. And when I arrived there was a very short car line at the entrance. It cost $12 bucks/adult. Andreas canyon is a mile loop trail and generally considered an easy route. It's elevation gain was 175 ft with plenty of shades. Furthermore, there's a downstream with crystal clear cool water along the trail. It took me roughly 40 mins (including stops for photos and scenery) to complete this trailhead. After a short water break, I proceeded to Murray canyon which south of Andreas Canyon and is a 3.7 mile out-and-back trail. And is popular for horseback riding evidence by the horse manure on the trail. It took me 2 hours with multiple stops due to 105 degree desert weather. Moreover, it has an elevation gain of 600 ft with very little to no shade throughout the trailhead. The canyon sceneries, rock formation and desert palm trees were mind boggling. You can almost feel the natural power flowing through your body. I brought energy gels and 1/2 a gallon of water. The heat was no joke! Tip for hikers, bring plenty of water and food/energy bars. Free parking available. Overall, I enjoyed hiking these two canyons. I highly recommend you visit. read more
8 months ago
I love hiking and checking out nature. If your ever in Palm Springs, Andrea canyon is a place you would really like to hike to and see. Just the road to get into the hiking establishment alone is nice! Doesn't even feel like your in California hiking, it's just so green and beautiful! Andrea canyon is kids friendly and super easy to hike. There is other trails but this one seems to be the easiest. Pretty flowers, plants and rocks! Small waterfall and a small water trail throughout the whole hike, your able to hear the water stream. Done forget your water! Gets pretty warm out there! Tickets for each person is $12 for the day. read more
1 year ago
Last time we were here was in 2017 and this NYE 2021 hike didn't disappoint. Just a really cool hiking trail that comprises an oasis of palm trees and waterfalls in the middle of the desert! The Andreas Canyon hike is a loop path that is a mile long. Though at 15 days postpartum I thought it was a little more strenuous than the easy trail I remembered. Still, definitely doable with a little one (would recommend wearing baby in a carrier.) the little man did pretty well with the trail too (2 years old) though some parts were more challenging for him. We parked in the lot and started the trail by the mortar rock. This meant the harder part of the trail was first. Once you get to the back gate (a chain link fence) you cross the stream on the bridge and then the hike gets much easier and elevated (also be aware then no shade). Last time we came in October and it was scorching 100+ degrees by 9am but this time around noon-2pm in December was quite pleasant weather wise. The lush oasis with the huge palms, the beautiful yellow and orange leaves on the trees, the huge boulders etc - great scenery! Picnic tables at the parking lot area. No bathrooms other than a portapotty so keep that in mind. Maybe one day we will do another trail and check out the other areas inside the park... Entry is $12 for adults, seniors with an ID are discounted to $7 and kids under 6 are free. read more
1 year ago
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More info about Indian Canyons
38500 S Palm Canyon Dr
Palm Springs, CA 92262
Directions
(760) 323-6018
Call Now
Visit Website
http://indian-canyons.com/
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Ask the Community - Indian Canyons
Are they open week days?
They open weekdays from October 1st to July 4th only From July 5th to September 30…
Is it open on easter?
Hi, I think so, but if they aren't, check out the Coachella valley preserve !
Does the federal Senior Pass for national parks and federal lands work here for free admission?
No, it is a private Indian reservation
Do you have to pay to hike here?
Yes, there is an entrance fee to get into the park. It is per person, not carload. But they do take credit cards if you didn't bring cash.
Review Highlights - Indian Canyons
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