Indian Canyons

From crystal-clear streams and cascading waterfalls to shady palm oases and granite rock walls, the Indian Canyons in Palm Springs are like no other place on earth—and when it comes to hiking in Greater Palm Springs, nothing compares.

As the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, these lands offer visitors a glimpse into the area’s indigenous past as well as a chance to get away from the everyday and connect with something deeper. Something spiritual. Something that can only be found in nature.

The Indian Canyons comprise Andreas Canyon, Murray Canyon and Palm Canyon, and each is a gateway to untapped outdoor adventure. Explore a network of trails that twist and turn beneath whispering palms. Travel up the rugged mountainside on horseback. Learn about the native flora and fauna on a ranger-led hike. Or find a quiet place to sit, relax and just meditate. 

Andreas Canyon
More than 150 species of plants inhabit this lush palm oasis, where a mountain-fed stream trickles in the background and the skirts of native Washingtonia filifera palm trees sway in the breeze. An easy 1-mile loop trail takes hikers of all levels through the pristine wilderness and back again, while centuries-old mortars carved into the bedrock speak to the land’s ancient tribal past.

Murray Canyon
This moderate hiking and equestrian trail begins in wide-open desert before reaching a small palm tree oasis. From there, you’ll crisscross a mountain-fed stream more than a dozen times while climbing farther and farther up the canyon. The grand finale? A seasonal waterfall known as the Seven Sisters.

Palm Canyon
A moderately graded footpath leads you through one of the largest undisturbed palm oases in the world. More than 2,500 adult palms dot the gorge, which features a gentle stream and lies at the base of the Indian Canyons Trading Post. Stop in for refreshments and to browse native art and artifacts, books, jewelry and more before hitting the trail. 

The Indian Canyons are open daily October 1 through July 4 and Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only July 5 through September 30.
 

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