7 best outdoor things to do in Palm Springs

Outdoors in Palm Springs

Experience · Chino Canyon

1.Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Bring a warm layer even in summer, and in winter check for snow at the top; the trails can need proper footwear from December to March.

Time needed

Half a day

Cost

Mid-priced

• Iconic
• Views
• Kids
• Outdoors
• Photo spot

Nature · San Jacinto Mountains

2.Mount San Jacinto State Park

Pick up the free wilderness permit at the ranger station below the Mountain Station before any hike beyond the short loops, and start the summit trail early.

Time needed

2 hours to a full day

Cost

Low cost

• Nature
• Active
• Outdoors
• Views

Nature · Agua Caliente Reservation

3.Indian Canyons

Start at Andreas Canyon for an easy shaded walk, then drive on to Palm Canyon; carry plenty of water, as there is little shade on the upper trails.

Time needed

2–4 hours

Cost

Low cost

• Nature
• Outdoors
• Kids
• History
• Photo spot

Nature · South of downtown

4.Tahquitz Canyon

Visit in winter or early spring, when snowmelt and rain mean the waterfall is actually flowing; by late summer it can be a trickle.

Time needed

2 hours

Cost

Low cost

• Nature
• Active
• Outdoors
• History

Garden · South Palm Springs

5.Moorten Botanical Garden

It takes under an hour, so pair it with the Indian Canyons a few minutes further south.

Time needed

1 hour

Cost

Low cost

• Nature
• Kids
• Off the beaten path
• Photo spot

Zoo · Palm Desert

6.Living Desert Zoo and Gardens

Arrive at opening in spring or autumn; the animals are most active and the paths are long and exposed by midday.

Time needed

3–4 hours

Cost

Mid-priced

• Kids
• Nature
• Outdoors

Nature · Thousand Palms

7.Coachella Valley Preserve

Walk the short McCallum Trail to the oasis pond in the early morning, when birds are active and the temperature is bearable.

Time needed

1.5–3 hours

Cost

Free

• Free
• Nature
• Outdoors
• Off the beaten path

Grouped by area

Booking and timing

Of these 7, 1 free, 4 low cost, 2 mid-priced. Book ahead for Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. The longest visit is Palm Springs Aerial Tramway; group the rest by area to save travel time.

• Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: On peak winter and spring weekends, buy timed tickets online in advance to avoid long waits at the Valley Station.

How to fit them into 6 half-days

Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.

• Half-day 1 (Chino Canyon): Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, at least 3 hours.
• Half-day 2 (San Jacinto Mountains): Mount San Jacinto State Park, at least 2 hours.
• Half-day 3 (Agua Caliente Reservation): Indian Canyons, at least 2 hours.
• Half-day 4 (South of downtown and South Palm Springs): Tahquitz Canyon → Moorten Botanical Garden, at least 3 hours.
• Half-day 5 (Palm Desert): Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, at least 3 hours.
• Half-day 6 (Thousand Palms): Coachella Valley Preserve, at least 2 hours.

The best months to be outside

• November: highs of 25°C (77°F), about 1 rainy days, busy crowds. Excellent weather for hiking and sightseeing, with Pride weekend one of the busiest of the year.
• February: highs of 23°C (73°F), about 4 rainy days, very busy crowds. Peak season, with ideal hiking weather and the city's busiest architecture events; book hotels well ahead.
• March: highs of 27°C (81°F), about 2 rainy days, very busy crowds. Warm and bright, with desert wildflowers in good years and spring-break crowds by the pool.

The neighbourhoods they are in

• South Palm Springs — Deepwell, Canyon Corridor and golf-course condos on the road to the Indian Canyons
• Palm Desert — El Paseo boutiques, the Living Desert zoo and family-friendly mid-range hotels

More of Palm Springs

All things to do in Palm Springs · Where to stay · When to go.

Questions travellers ask