When you hear the word “canyon”, you probably immediately imagine the meandering course of the Colorado River that cuts through the steep walls of the Grand Canyon. If you’ve never been to California, you might associate it with long beaches lined with endless rows of tall palm trees (or at least, that’s how I imagined it before I went there, thanks to movies and TV). Well, if you combine the two images, you will have in front of you a bizarre place, but it really exists.
Indian Canyons is a region with canyons full of palm trees, which grow along the streams in the gorges, in stark contrast to the rugged and barren surrounding territory. It is located near Palm Springs, 105 miles southeast of Los Angeles and 130 miles northeast of San Diego. Palm Springs is the perfect stop to visit the nearby Joshua Tree National Park and the ghost town called Pioneertown.
If you are planning an itinerary to discover all of California, I would invite you to consider staying an extra night here, so that you can visit the fascinating Indian Canyons in addition to the more famous Joshua Tree. If you prefer nature to big cities and you have enough time at your disposal, consider it as a possible stop even if you are going on a road trip through multiple states. In fact, Palm Springs is located on the route between Los Angeles and Phoenix.
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How to Get to Indian Canyons
Palm Springs is the gateway to the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation and its natural beauties, which include three interesting green canyons. However, before reaching Indian Canyons, I suggest you stop by the Palm Springs Visitor Center (see map below), where you can get information and maps of the area. If the Trading Post (the Indian Canyons Visitor Center) is closed, the only way to get information is to go to the city’s tourist office. Getting to Indian Canyons is not difficult, and you can get there or by joining a guided tour.
Indian Canyons can be reached by car on the S Palm Canyon Dr, the road that runs north-south along the you will also take S Palm Canyon Dr. Just head south and drive for about 7 miles. Once you pass the entrance, just continue along the same road to reach the entrances to the various canyons and the Trading Post, which is at the end. Here is the location of the park entrance.
Indian Canyons Hours and Tickets
The park is open all year round, but the hours of operation vary depending on the season.
- Winter (Sept. 1-July 4): Open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The last admission is at 4:00 pm.
- Summer (July 5-Aug. 31): Open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays only, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. The last admission is at 4:00 pm.
Since Indian Canyons is not a national park, you cannot access it using the national parks annual park pass. Therefore, you will need to purchase an entrance ticket when you arrive. Here are the ticket prices:
- Full price: $12
- Reduced for students and over 62: $7
- Reduced for children (6-12 years old): $6
The Three Canyons
The park includes three large canyons. One of the main things that set these canyons apart is that there are palm trees in the canyons. This is very different from what we are used to seeing in the most famous canyons, such as the winding Antelope Canyon in Arizona or the large and arid rock formations of Canyonlands National Park in Utah. For this reason, although it is a minor park, it can be very interesting to visit it, especially for those who have traveled through the American Southwest before.
Palm Canyon
Palm Canyon is 15 miles long and is the main attraction of the park. The name is not accidental. There is an abundance of Washingtonia filifera, the palm tree typically found in California. The contrast between the verdant palms and the rocky walls of the canyon, as well as the arid land we find outside the canyon, gives the impression that someone has given a green brushstroke to the desert. This is thanks to the stream that has carved out its bed and provides just the right amount of water to give life to this long oasis.
What was once an area often frequented by the Cahuilla, who used the flora and fauna in the canyon their subsistence, is a place to make excursions and find some peace and quiet outside of Palm Springs. You can hike along the entire length of the canyon and there are many trails that split off from the main trail that allow you to explore the length and breadth of the green canyon.
Andreas Canyon
In addition to palm trees, there are over 150 different plant species that grow in this lush canyon, where the waters of Andreas Creek cool down the air year-round. The creek has carved the rocks into sometimes bizarre shapes, but plants and stones are not the only reason to explore this canyon. Andreas Canyon is rich both in natural beauty and history, and you can still see remnants of the mortars and stones Native Americans once used to grind food.
Although it is much smaller than Palm Canyon, I would still say it is worth considering going on a hike in Andreas Canyon, even a short one, if you stop in Palm Springs during your trip. Out of the three canyons, this is probably the best for photography and birdwatching, since this area is inhabited by many birds.
Murray Canyon
Murray Canyon, located south of Andreas Canyon, receives fewer visitors than the other two, but it is just as fascinating. Here too palm trees are plentiful and they grow around the creek that gets filled with water in winter and spring, generating a beautiful waterfall. It is common to come across wildlife such as mule deer or bighorns, but also some rare birds that nest here.
Indian Canyons Hiking Trails
There are three ways to visit the canyons. The first is to drive around on your own and choose one or more trails for your own excursions. If your schedule allows it, it can be helpful to attend information sessions offered by rangers before venturing along the trails or to take part in one of their guided hikes on weekends. The third option is to take an organized tour departing from Palm Springs so that you see all the sights and don’t risk getting lost if you’re not used to hiking trails.
Recommended Trails
About 62 miles of trails intersect in the park and therefore each canyon offers numerous options for hiking, from the simplest to the longest and most challenging. Even if you are an avid hiker, you certainly won’t have entire weeks to devote to hiking all the trails. Therefore, you will probably focus on the most beautiful parts of the gorges and choose the trails that are right for you. I suggest three options to help you narrow down the field and get an idea of what to expect when you visit this park.
Victor Trail
This trail is great if you want to get an overview of the vast Palm Canyon, especially if you don’t have the whole day to spare. Start at the Trading Post by taking the Palm Canyon Trail and after about a mile, turn onto the Victor Trail, which will take you back to the Trading Post. This 4-mile loop will give you a chance to see some of the most interesting parts of this grand and verdant canyon. The first part of the trail takes you inside the canyon, while the second part takes you along the side of the canyon, allowing you to admire the canyon from above and get a broad view of it.
Andreas Trail
Andreas Canyon is probably the most fascinating of the three canyons because the palm trees are more concentrated and mingle with many other plant species, such as plane trees, black poplars, and willows. All set against a backdrop of large and sometimes bizarre rock formations. Along this easy 1.25-mile loop, it is possible to have a beautiful view of the canyon both from the inside and the outside. Starting from the Andreas Canyon parking lot, you walk along a sandy path in the shade of large palm trees following the torrent until you cross the water. Once on the other side of the river, you will exit the canyon and walk back above the canyon, thus returning to the starting point.
Murray Canyon Trail
As I mentioned before, Murray Canyon is smaller and has fewer visitors than the other two, but it is just as beautiful. You can take a relatively simple hike to Seven Sisters Falls, which gushes between large boulders at the bottom of the gorge. It starts from the Andreas Canyon parking lot and by following the signs for 4.7 miles, you can reach the waterfall while walking along the stream among the palm trees. If you do not want to take the exact same route on the way back, you can take another way by following the Coffman Trail. This trail is a variation for the middle section of the trail, allowing you to exit Murray Canyon and walk outside of it for a few miles before re-entering it.
Ranger Guided Tours
During the colder months, from October to June, park rangers conduct guided tours and offer explanations to visitors, all free of charge against the payment of the ordinary park entrance fee. These are the types of tours offered:
- Guided hike to Palm Canyon: a 90-minute hike every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, departing at 10:00 am from the Trading Post.
- Guided hike to Andreas Canyon: a 90-minute hike, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, departing at 1:00 pm, from the Andreas Parking Lot.
- Explanation about Palm Canyon: a 30-minute explanation, which takes place at the Trading Post Monday through Thursday, at 10:00 am.
- Explanation about Andreas Canyon: a 30-minute explanation, held at the Andreas Parking Lot Monday through Thursday, at 1:00 pm.
Bike or ATV Tours
There are two types of organized tours to visit these canyons accompanied by local guides to experience the outdoors. Since the canyons are only a few miles from Palm Springs, they are easily accessible by bicycle tour. This is an option you should consider, especially if you are sporty.
However, during some parts of the year, especially on very hot summer days, cycling in the sun is not the best choice. Don’t worry! There is the off-road tour on a 4×4 that will take you to discover all the hidden beauty of the canyons.
Park Map
Where to Stay Nearby
If you plan to visit the Indian Canyons in the morning, or if you’re looking for a place to stay overnight after your visit, the simplest solution is to look for a hotel in Palm Springs. This city is not only a stone’s throw away from the park, but is also a great intermediate stop for road trips through California since it is located between Los Angeles and San Diego and not far from Joshua Tree National Park, but also on the way for those from the California coast who are heading to Arizona.
