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    Tahquitz Canyon

    4.1 (249 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

    Tahquitz Canyon Photos

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    Krista E.

    $15 pp is CRAZY for a 2 mile walk. Nice waterfall at the end, but this is a very quick and easy trail

    Jon N.

    I highly recommend the Tahquitz Canyon hike back to the waterfall. It's a box canyon so there's no worry about getting lost. At a slow pace it'll take you about 90 minutes round-trip. It's so worth it as the canyon is beautiful and you're treated with an amazing waterfall at the back of the canyon. To avoid crowds, I do recommend going early during the week (as soon as they open). At that time of day, parking is easier and the temperature cooler. You are required to take water with you. Unfortunately, the trail is not suitable for people with mobility issues as there are quite a few uneven surfaces, while climbing over some of the rocks.

    Thomas H.

    Great time hiking up to see the waterfalls yesterday. A good 2 miles on a well maintained trail. Definitely worth it after rainy days.

    Laura K.

    Fantastic place to hike! One of my favorites ever! We visited in May and were able to see the waterfall that only runs during certain months of the year. The hike is not aggressive, but if you have knee issues, I'd avoid because there are some higher step-ups or down spots along the way. You can also buy an annual pass if you plan to visit, as it costs $15 each time. You also need to bring an ID and 32oz of water or the ranger will not allow you to hike.

    Large 60 ft waterfall in April
    Monica G.

    This hike is a must see! It is a fairly easy hike, approximately 2 miles round trip with a beautiful waterfall at the top. Parking was good, we paid 15$ each to enter. They require each person to have 32 ounces (1 liter) of water before doing hike. If you did not bring it with you, you can purchase a bottle for $2.50. The hike is somewhat Rocky, but we saw many kids and older persons completing it. Some used walking sticks. The heat is more of an obstacle, so wear hats, put on sunscreen and plan for early hikes in hotter days. There are a few small running water spots and a large waterfall at the top. The more is a fabulous pool to dip your hot feet in! The water was very cold, but felt refreshing! Lots of people on the trail, but I would not call it crowded and everyone was so pleasant!

    Karina C.

    Taquitz Canyon is an easy hike around 2 miles or more if you explore around we ended up doing 3.2 miles. The visitor centre is staffed with knowledgeable people, and once you've paid US$15.00 per person for entering the park, you can begin your hike to the Tahquitz falls. The hike is not difficult at all: A slow gradual climb till you reach the waterfall. And a round trip to the falls only takes about 1.5 hours or so. They don't charge for parking lot so that's great. Not happy about the entrance charge for such a small hike. Recommended it for one time and that's it.

    Bridge
    Debra R.

    Returned after 5 years to hike this trail, and appreciated it more this time. The trail is so close to town, but a world away, the trail length is perfect at 1.4 miles, although a bit rugged with lots of rocks and steps, while the scenery is spectacular from start to the finish at a waterfall used in the movie "Lost Horizons" to represent shangri-la. The stewards are keeping the area pristine, with zero trash seen thanks to the $15 fee per person collected at the visitor's center, which has restrooms. Water is required, so bring 16 oz of water per person, or buy some at the ticket counter. The trail gets crowded and hot later, so go early when they open at 8 for the best experience

    Scenery
    Marshay D.

    Tried out this hiking trail since Indian Canyon was closed for construction. This was def a good pick for us only 1.8 miles of a hike, which is good for beginners and intermediate hikers. It's a very clean hiking canyon when you enter to pay for tickets and buy souvenirs or use the restroom. It's a $15 fee for adults but if your law enforcement it's for free. You need at least a liter of water in order to walk. If not you can purchase a liter from them for only $2. So make sure to have your water on deck. It's really hot so have sunscreen on don't get BURNT! It's a nice view of a waterfall at the end and you can get inside the water if you want. The mini water areas is not recommended to get in because of the snakes. It's a nice little workout but still wear hiking boots to support your ankles it's many rocks and steeps you have to walk on. Overall, this is a very nice experience if you are in the Palm desert area for vacation. This hiking trail will not disappoint you! They gave good customer service and they have a trail ranger if you want one to walk with your group. I will def come back here when I come back!

    The waterfall
    Jennifer P.

    Came here on a Monday around 11am. Parking lot was full so we had to park on the street and walk up the hill. Went into the building to pay the fees. It was $15 per adult and $7 for child. Got wristbands to show we paid. Staff wanted to check my water but my husband had the water in his bag and was in the restroom. She sold me tickets and then saw the water and was friendly about it. It was about 1.9 miles total and is on very rocky, uneven terrain with lots of steps. While walking up the trail there is not much to see. There is a creek running next to the trail that you can hear and then see. Many people on the trail. The waterfall was very underwhelming. There were many people there in swimsuits swimming. We went back a different way than the one we came in and it seemed easier (probably because were were going downhill) Overall it was something to do and we did it but not something I would do again or recommend.

    Alana M.

    Beautiful easy hike in the desert. I had some time to kill so I decided to get outdoors and see the waterfall. Entry is $15 per person and everyone is required to have water, for good reason. In mid March the requirement was 16 ounces per hiker. They sell water at the entrance if you need it. There are also restrooms at the start of the hike. It's crowded as it's definitely a tourist destination. If there's water in it you'll walk along a nice stream for a part of the hike. Took about an hour and there was limited shade. Well worth it though as you'll be rewarded with a pretty waterfall at the end. You're allowed to go in the waterfall but that water is COLD! There's a parking lot near the entrance. I didn't know this so I parked down the street and walked up to the welcome center. Get here early to avoid the crowds and the heat.

    Flat rock
    Rosa C.

    I was really happy we chose to hike this trail. The waterfall was definitely a draw. However even outside of that the views were beautiful. There were streams with mini waterfalls and aerial views that makes this hike worthwhile. We came at the end of February so it was the perfect weather - sunny and warm but not blistering hot. There was enough shade behind large rocks every so often to take a break. The trail itself had rock stairs that were steep and uneven. In addition there were a couple of bridges over the creeks. By the waterfall you had to walk on spaced out large rocks - no bridge. There were rocks all along the trail and at times the trail thinned by the edge. I would say the trail was moderately strenuous and doable, especially if you're careful and took it slow.

    People playing in the basin, below the falls.
    Kingston W.

    This is an update to my earlier report. My most recent visit was May 2022. Admission fees have been adjusted: $15.00 for adults and $7.00 for children (6-12 years). Entry is free for U.S. Military and First Responders with ID. Because of the warm weather, the docents really emphasized each adult should have at least one liter of water before setting out. (There is a water fountain to fill canteens. Bottled water is also sold at the station.) Mask requirements have been suspended. The waterfall wasn't flowing with any particular force; but the basin/pool was full. A lot of people were playing in the water. This is a "personal opinion": Having hiked the trail a number of times, I think the "return route" down from the falls to the trailhead is an easier hike than the prescribed route "up" from the trailhead to the falls. If you use the "down" route to go up to the falls, you'll find that the incline is not as steep (overall); the trail is more sand than rock; and there are fewer stone "step ups". I mention this because I noticed that a lot of people were returning from the falls to the trailhead using the "route up". Retracing your steps and returning via your original path makes sense, especially if you didn't take the free map offered at the ranger station. But a lot of people I encountered apparently never made it to the falls, finding the path too strenuous. Just a consideration.

    Nice building, but too pricey for a 2-mile hike.
    Michael T.

    They want to charge $12.50 for adults and $6.00 for kids EACH for a two mile hike. There are literally hundreds of other places in the immediate area that are far superior that don't ask you to waste money to hike. In other words, free. If you have a small group it'll cost more than $100 to hike here, what a joke! Give me yourself a favor and don't waste your time.

    Behind a waterfall!

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    Ask the Community - Tahquitz Canyon

    Is there shade? Will it be too hot to do at the end of June?

    There is some shade but I still wouldn't go in June unless you are very athletic.

    Is the waterfall dry or there's still water right now?

    Not sure when this question was asked but there should normally be water year round. There may be extraordinary rare periods where it may run nearly dry but this should be a very rare exception as even in summer months there is rain and moisture in… Read more

    Review Highlights - Tahquitz Canyon

    Make sure to call ahead for this information If this is your only reason for making this relatively easy hike.

    Mentioned in 9 reviews

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    Indian Canyons - Another spot before a hike through the trees up the mountain.

    Indian Canyons

    4.4(314 reviews)
    2.9 mi

    What a spectacular experience. So much to learn about the Indians that lived here and why. From a…read morenice 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.

    Nov, 2025. Palm Springs, CA. "The Indian Canyons are the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band…read moreof 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.

    Photos
    Indian Canyons - On the way up the mountain. Road towards the top is narrow.

    On the way up the mountain. Road towards the top is narrow.

    Indian Canyons - It's bloody G O R G E O U S  ! !   #BritAccent #ThiccPalmTrees #TreeBeard

    It's bloody G O R G E O U S ! ! #BritAccent #ThiccPalmTrees #TreeBeard

    Indian Canyons - Andrea's Canyon Trail

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    Andrea's Canyon Trail

    North Lykken Trail

    North Lykken Trail

    4.5(4 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    Beautiful, moderately challenging hike with great views of downtown and North Palm Springs. I…read morespontaneously decided to do the Museum Trail to North Lykken and then walked back to the parking by the museum along the streets. It took about 2 hours in total. The North Lykken trail is definitely a little less steep than the Museum Trail but has equally beautiful views. Be aware that this trail is NOT well marked. If I hadn't been hiking around other people who knew where they were going I definitely would have gotten lost several times. The loop between North Lykken, South Lykken, and the Museum Trail is also pretty confusing so make sure you're on the right path. Especially because many people do this as a point-to-point trail (like I did) instead of out-and-back, I wish the markings were a bit clearer. On the bright side, you're not exactly out in the wilderness so you should have cell service the whole time.

    This trailhead at the dead-end of west Ramon Road is another way to access the Skyline Trail, as is…read morebarely discernable on the typically old, clouded, scratched plexiglass covered sign in its parking area (which is why it's good to check caltopo.com before doing a new hike - I've found it to be more accurate than alltrails.com). But this trail is worthwhile in itself. At the start it directly and intimately overlooks the Historic Tennis Club neighborhood and its beautiful old estates - probably the nearest ones have to forget about any nude sunbathing in their back yards. I hadn't been here in quite a while - when I arrived, slowly passing by the empty new development on my left, it was kind of eerie like one of China's just-built but uninhabited "ghost cities." I mention it only because I was gobsmacked to see what an awesome landscaping job they did - the view hasn't been marred by a nearly treeless bunch of homes as I'd expected. Suddenly I've got to know all about the transplantation of fully grown trees! Leaving your car at the trailhead seems safer now that the housing development appears to be nearly finished. The trail doesn't get much traffic so on a weekday summer morning I was surprised to see several vehicles arrive and park here over about 20 minutes. But as I watched, only the occupants of one of them headed to the trail. The others appeared to be here to rendezvous for who knows what. Seems like an out-of-the-way place for drug deals, so most likely it was just international espionage. That would explain the van. You don't have to climb very high to gain some gorgeous panoramic views of our amazing valley. At first the trail seems suited for the rehabilitating and/or bad knees crowd, but it gets steep/rocky/tricky soon enough. Watch out for snakes as there are a lot of dark crevices that you need to step near. It's basically a shadeless hike but a little off-trail I found an exception to that and have, in seated and still shaded comfort at 9:00am, been watching a pair of hummingbirds a few feet away and tennis games below and replaying the score from "Out of Africa" in my head while writing this. That's how well retired folks multi-task. As you can tell by my rambling review I'm in no hurry to leave! I found the path to be fairly clean but there's evidence of idiot invasions too. At one spot some partiers left behind beer bottles, KFC boxes, and a padded bra. Yes they did. So doubtless it was a night-time view they were after, among other things. Well **** them for leaving trash, but I got paid for packing it out since they were evidently too drunk or drugged or after-glowy to notice they'd dropped some money along with their garbage. I love it when that happens.

    Photos
    North Lykken Trail
    North Lykken Trail
    North Lykken Trail

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    Museum Trail head - Long Horn Sheep near the trail

    Museum Trail head

    5.0(3 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    We got the scoop about this hike while sitting around the pool at the Palm Springs Tennis Club. It…read morewas suggested that we hit the trailhead around 7AM to avoid the heat. We got there at 7:30, but still managed just fine thanks to a little breeze. Bring water and make sure you apply sun screen. You will need shoes with good grip, the first half can can be steep, but it all lends to great views of Palm Springs. The trail is well marked with white dots spray painted on the rocks throughout. Depending on how you go about your hiking expedition, it can be quite short if you turn around at the picnic benches, but still a fun adventure. We pressed on and enjoyed the loop hike we scouted out. There's plenty of parking at the base (which is at the museum), technically you're not supposed to park in the museum lot, but there's also a large free garage right across the street. At the top there are a ton of picnic tables, and you can choose to go back down or continue on to the North Lykken, South Lykken, or Skyline Trails. The trail splits when you see the large PILE of rocks, this will speak for itself. We continued on the North Lykken trail (left/downward) which made for a perfect 4 mile loops from our front door. The museum trail is a great way to get moving and get some beautiful views of Palm Springs! I would love to do this hike every day, it is a good workout, the roundtrip took us about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

    Very steep hike with great views of Palm Springs. The trail is well marked with white dots spray…read morepainted on the rocks throughout. It's quite short but very steep so bring plenty of water and be prepared to use your legs! There's plenty of parking at the base--you're not supposed to park in the museum lot, but there's also a large free garage right across the street. At the top there are a ton of picnic tables, and you can choose to go back down or continue on to the North Lykken, South Lykken, or Skyline Trails. The museum trail is a great way to get moving and get some beautiful views of Palm Springs!

    Photos
    Museum Trail head
    Museum Trail head - The Museum Trail

    The Museum Trail

    Museum Trail head

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    Murray Hill/Peak Hiking Trail

    Murray Hill/Peak Hiking Trail

    4.2(5 reviews)
    3.1 mi

    Past pictures of this waterfall made it enticing enough to get me and my friends to come marvel at…read moreit. Instead, my kitchen sink dripping is more impressive. Okay, I'm exaggerating... only b/c I'm very disappointed with so many aspects of this hike :( First, it's $9 per PERSON to hike to this waterfall. So not worth it. $9 per car, more is reasonable, but not the deal here. Second, the signage on the trail, indicating mileage, is sooo off! As you get closer to the falls, mileage is supposed to tell you you're closer (less miles), but does the opposite and gets longer! Signs made it kinda frustrating and comical at the same time. Third, hike to the falls here, when Palm Springs receives more rain -it's looking like a taquito when I expected to see a fat burrito (I love Mexican food). Horses use this trail too, so expect seeing and smelling the mounds of horse poopies. Otherwise, it's an easy 4.12 mile hike, out and back with about a 626ft elevation gain. I started from the parking lot and followed the signs for Murray Trails to Seven Sisters Falls. Bring your hiking "ten essentials" (REI has a good list, if you're clueless to what I'm referring to). There are a couple outhouses for bathroom needs. Stay safe and healthy (mind, body and soul) Yelping Out there :)

    What a great hike. According to my watch it was 7.71 miles from the Bogert trailhead…read more I'd say this is semi-hard hike for several reason. Three long steep climbs, no shade anywhere, and it's almost 8 miles. If you are in decent shape you should be able to do it. The entire hike took me three hours and 14 minutes with two breaks of about 5 minutes and 10 minutes at the top. Great views from the top. There was also a cool breeze that felt great.

    Photos
    Murray Hill/Peak Hiking Trail - Roughly 1 mile to the peak from these cactus.

    Roughly 1 mile to the peak from these cactus.

    Murray Hill/Peak Hiking Trail - West view

    West view

    Murray Hill/Peak Hiking Trail - Northeast view

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    Northeast view

    Tahquitz Canyon - hiking - Updated May 2026

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