Explore the Desert

There are 4 named trails here in the city of Desert Hot Springs, all within 5 minutes drive ranging from 2.5 to 9 miles in length.  Many are in direct sun, so plenty of water and a hat are the bare essentials.

Long Canyon

This newer trail connects Desert Hot Springs to Joshua Tree National Park, traversing wide-open desert terrain blanketed with barrel cacti, creosote, and brittlebush. The JTNP trail corridor winds through the natural wash and climbs Long Canyon, ending in Yucca Valley.  Trailhead: 1.6 miles East of Azure Palm on Hacienda Avenue to Long Canyon Road, then turn left 1 mile to the trailhead.

Swiss/Bryce’s Canyon Trail

Begin on the south side of a flood control channel, which leads up into the foothills of the Little San Bernardino Mountains, where towering rock walls, boulders, and native flora create a beautiful backdrop for enjoying a couple quiet hours in nature. 2.4 miles. Trailhead: 10401-10499 Verbena Drive.

Blind Canyon

3.9 miles, recommended for experienced hikers.  This trail traverses an
extension of the Little San Bernardino Mountains, with steep ups and
downs and the occasional rock scramble. Trailhead: Santa Cruz Road/ Casa Grande Drive, parking at top of Santa Cruz.

Little Morongo Trail

Explore part of the Sand to Snow National Monument while hiking
this one-way trail through Little Morongo Canyon, a valley at the
northern end of Desert Hot Springs.  Trailhead: About 1 mile north of Annandale Ave/Little Morongo Canyon Rd.  5.4 miles one way

Cabot’s Cross

A simple hike starting at Azure Palm Hot Springs, taking you behind Cabot’s Pueblo Museum and up into the foothills of Desert Hot Springs.  At the 1.5 mile mark, enjoy panoramic views of both mountain ranges from “the cross”.  Trailhead: Corner of Miracle Hill Rd and Pierson Blvd.

There is no shortage of ways to explore the diverse natural beauty that is Greater Palm Springs which offers more than 100 trails to choose from.  The top trails are located just 20 minutes from Azure Palm Hot Springs.

Indian Canyons

Indian Canyons is a stunning nature preserve covering over 31,500 acres. Managed by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, it serves as part of their reservation lands. Experience awe-inspiring canyons, distinctive rock formations, a lush tapestry of palm groves, and roughly 60 miles of trails. Three standouts include:

Palm Canyon – Palm Canyon is quite magnificent, with a length of 3-4 miles out and back. It is often cool and mostly shady, filled with fan palms of all sizes next to a stream that still has pools and springs in mid-summer, though at drier times, most water flows below ground.

Andreas Canyon – An easy 1.2-mile loop trail that follows the Andreas Creek, offering a mix of tropical palms next to tall rock formations.  Home to the world’s second-largest California Fan Palm oasis.

Murray Canyon – A 4.2 mile trek across a seemingly barren desert landscape and ending up welcomed into a lush canyon oasis.

There is a fee to enter, located at the southern terminus of S. Palm Canyon Drive.

Tahquitz Canyon 

Spanning approximately 2 miles, the moderate Tahquitz Canyon Trail is celebrated for its stunning natural features, including the breathtaking 60-foot Tahquitz Falls–a spectacular centerpiece when it hasn’t been too dry. Parking fee applies, 1/4 mile west of S. Palm Canyon on W. Mesquite Ave.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Ascend the 10-minute ride from the Tram’s Valley Station (at 2,600-feet elevation) to the bounty of the Mountain Station (at more than 8,500-feet). Awaiting hikers at Mount San Jacinto State Park are 54 miles of trails, ranging from scenic walks to extreme tests. For a happy balance, explore the 2.5-mile hike to comely Round Valley.  Fee for the tram ride.

Just 10-15 minutes to the west or east, there are several natural preserves with trails that showcase the unique and varied biodiversity of the desert.

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve

A 31,000 acre nature preserve 10 minutes north of Desert Hot Springs on Hwy 62 offering 6 trails ranging from 3/10 of a mile to an 11-mile round trip hike.  The desert oasis at Big Morongo Canyon is one of the most important cottonwood and willow stream habitats in California.  The trails represent different environments for vegetation, ranging from the high elevation of Yucca Ridge to the low desert down Big Morongo Canyon.

Whitewater Preserve 

The well-marked 4 mile Canyon View Loop trail follows the Whitewater River Canyon until it reaches the iconic PCT and then climbs up to a bluff that offers non-stop views into the canyon and high peaks of the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area.  Head west on I-10, exit Whitewater and drive 1.5 miles north to the trailhead.

Mission Creek Preserve

The 3.4 mile trail passes ruins of an old “glamping” resort, follows a creek that started high in the mountains and is now irrigating the desert, passes a rare wetland and views of the high peaks, then visiting an old stone ranch house. The trail is wide, climbs gradually, and is easy to follow.  Just west of Hwy 62 on Mission Creek Road between Pierson and Indian Canyon.

Coachella Valley Preserve

Spanning over 20,000 acres of protected land, the preserve is renowned for its towering California fan palms, lush oases, and the rare Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard, a species found only in this region.  Top trails here include the McCallum Trail (2 miles round trip), Easy), the Pushawalla Palms Loop (4.5 miles round trip, Moderate and the Hidden Palms Trail (3.6 miles round trip, Moderate).  East on I-10, exit Ramon east, turn left on Thousand Palm Canyon to the trailheads.

Azure Palm Hot Springs is the perfect base for stargazing.  Not only are there several locations within 15 minutes that get you out of city lights and into the darkness, but Azure Palm Hot Springs is located just 45 minutes from the International Dark Sky Park of Joshua Tree for unparalleled stargazing opportunities.

Whitewater Preserve 

Whitewater Canyon Preserve is one of the closest stargazing sites. A point of convergence for the Whitewater and San Gorgonio Rivers, it provides a fertile area for a variety of flora and fauna and boasts natural shielding from the light pollution of nearby communities and freeways making it a perfect stargazing spot on clear nights.

Desert Hot Springs’ Foothills

Want to stargaze without straying too far from your soaking tub.  The foothills of the Little San Bernardino Mountains that form the southwestern part of Joshua Tree National Park are just 5-10 minutes from Miracle Hill. You won’t be within the park, but on the border, and can still enjoy the dark sky benefits that the park’s limited development offer.

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park is one of the best places to stargaze in the US—maybe in the world!  Designated as an International Dark Sky Park in 2017, located in the High Desert—3000-6000 feet above sea level—far from the light pollution of any major cities.

“Sky’s the Limit” in 29 Palms just outside the park hosts a monthly night sky program on Saturdays closest to the new moon.

Best Stargazing Days

Stargazing at Azure Palm Hot Springs is best when the sky is at its darkest or when there are celestial events to witness.  When there is a New Moon or one day on either side of it, there will be the least amount of light interfering with the fainter light from stars.

Meteor showers occur when the earth passes through the trail of debris left by a comet or asteroid, and the interstellar dust enters Earth’s atmosphere at high speeds where they burn up and leave a bright streak across the sky.  Watching in a Dark Sky location means a greater chance of seeing more meteors.  If a New Moon falls near a meteor shower date, you can often see even more, fainter meteors.  Check here for recurring dates of the strongest and most reliable showers.