Indian Canyons

We recently visited the Indian Canyons in Palm Springs and did a 5-mile hike—easily one of the highlights of our trip. The landscape is honestly stunning: a mix of desert terrain, dramatic rock formations, and lush palm oases that feel almost surreal. It’s hard to believe something this green and vibrant exists just minutes from the city. The trails are well-marked and offer a great balance between challenge and enjoyment. Our hike took us through both open, sun-exposed sections and shaded areas with flowing streams, which made it feel really dynamic and never boring. The contrast between dry desert and cool palm groves is what makes this place so special. What stood out most was how peaceful it felt. Even though it’s a popular spot, there are moments where you feel completely immersed in nature. The area also has a deep cultural history as the ancestral land of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, which adds another layer of meaning to the experience.  A few practical notes: bring plenty of water (it gets hot quickly), wear proper hiking shoes, and try to go early in the morning. The heat can be intense, and many sections are exposed. That said, the effort is absolutely worth it. Overall, I’d highly recommend Indian Canyons for anyone visiting Palm Springs—whether you’re a casual walker or want a longer hike like we did. It’s one of those places that really exceeds expectations and leaves a lasting impression.

This is an enjoyable place to hike just outside of Palm Springs. We had been here on a previous visit to the area 10 years ago and were anxious to return. We arrived about noon to avoid the early crowds and on a day when it wasn't too hot. Being a good bit older, we found that the trails marked "Easy" were challenging enough for us now. We did the Lower Andreas Loop and then drove to the upper parking area to do an out-and-back on the Palm Canyon Trail. Both were scenic but the Andreas trail was more enjoyable for being a bit more challenging and also less crowded (although neither was "crowded" in an urban sense!). Palm Canyon was a good place to finish for the day since there's a booth selling ice cream when you get back to the top! :-)

Honestly hate giving it a 4 star review as the place is beautiful. The loss came from the staff. Lady at the check in booth was rude to the point I mention it. Guys in the trail area were very nice and helpful tho. So dinging this for a start gives some idea of how much I appreciated the check in lady. I'm any case, it's a fantastic place. It's not free, this, so expect to pay to hike. The views are fabulous and it's a great place to relax. For a fee.

$12 entry fee gets you access to stunning scenery and gorgeous hikes of varying strain and skill levels. Gorgeous, though not all the trails are clearly marked or thoroughly kept. There are shaded ones that are beginner friendly near the beginning if you want something simple. Bring water and sunscreen, it gets hot. Parking is also a little wonky depending on how full the park is.

This is one of those must-see places in Southern California that deserves to be loved, but gently, so as not to ruin the beauty. It’s absolutely gorgeous! I did the Palm Canyon to Victor hike, and it really captured the beauty of the canyon, and the appeal of living there! I recommend going in the morning to avoid the heat of the sun. Also, bring a map! Cell service is very spotty and it can get slightly confusing at points. Just follow the signs, they never failed me, even when I thought I’d missed one. They’re fairly obvious. Enjoy! And remember to show some respect for these ancestral lands!

I attempted both the Andreas Canyon Loop and Murray Canyon to Seven Sisters Falls. Both trails are listed as 'easy'. The Andreas Loop was the easier of the two, though still had a couple narrow sections which skirt around one side of the canyon. Murray Canyon required a short hike within the wilderness area to reach the trailhead. This trail is an out-and-back, and with the stream crossing at multiple points required a bit of balancing over rocks both to and from the trail. For me, I made it within 3/4 mile of the end before turning back to potentially avoid hiking with wet shoes 😅. When I'm back in Palm Springs I'll bring an extra pair and a towel to make it all the way 🙏 If you take longer hikes, be sure to plan to be back at your car by 5pm. There were multiple signs warning of towing after the canyon closes at 5pm.

Absolutely stunning place with short or long hikes. Well worth the entry price and time to drive - only 15 mins from downtown.

The Oasis is beautiful, rugged. It is almost 1.5 miles inside the main gate. Not accessible. Plenty of Parking Blocks though it can get busy as this a very popular spot. The entry gate can have lots of traffic, it has 2 payment spots. We went on a weekday and had a wait time of 30 minutes on the main gate but parking was breeze. Surely for trek goers and a good photogenic location for instagrammers.