9 Scenic Hiking Trails in Palm Springs, CA

Experience the natural beauty and breathtaking views of Southern, CA on the best hiking trails in Palm Springs.

Surrounded by the San Bernardino Mountains, Santa Rosa Mountains, San Jacinto Mountains, Little San Bernardino Mountains, Joshua Tree National Park, and the Coachella Valley Preserve—there is no question Palm Springs, CA, is an incredible destination for outdoor enthusiasts, especially hikers!

Best Hiking Trails in Palm Springs

Palm Springs boasts beautiful hikes filled with palm trees, mountains, and sweeping desert views. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely stroll to experience the natural scenery or a challenging trail that will push you to conquer the rocky terrain, we guarantee there is a hike in Palm Springs you’ll love!

Don’t miss these popular hiking trails during your vacation to Palm Springs:

1. Andreas Canyon Trail

• Length: 1.0 miles
• Elevation Gain: 173 feet
• Trail Details

Andreas Canyon Trail is an easy one-mile hike that allows you to stroll through the world’s second-largest fan palm oasis. Since this trail is a part of the Palm Springs Indian Canyons, there is an admission fee, but you’ll also have access to the other trails, like Palm Canyon and Murray Canyon.

2. Murray Canyon Trail

• Length: 3.7 miles
• Elevation Gain: 600 feet
• Trail Details

Murray Canyon is another one of the popular trails you can find at Indian Canyons—and though it’s more challenging than the former trail, this hike features the spectacular Seven Sisters Waterfall at the end of the hike, which stands at 15 feet tall.

This five-mile out-and-back trail has a 600-foot elevation gain. It’s more challenging to get to this hike than many other trails in Indian Canyons, so while you may not see many other hikers, you may see a mule deer or bighorn sheep!

3. Palm Canyon Trail

• Length: 2.7 miles
• Elevation Gain: 393 feet
• Trail Details

The 15-mile Palm Canyon Trail is the last of the most popular hikes in Indian Canyons. And if you were wondering, yes—Palm Canyon is where you can find the world’s largest concentration of fan palm trees!

Since the trail is extremely long, most hikers choose to embark on the Victor Loop Trail, which is just under three miles. This trail leads you through the palm desert, into the mountains, and back down onto the valley floor. It’s an incredible hike for beginner hikers because it’s easy, scenic, and offers plenty of shade from palm trees.

4. Araby Trail

• Length: 4.1 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,404 feet
• Trail Details

Araby Trail is a four-mile out-and-back trail that offers a 1,400-foot elevation gain. The trail starts from the Southridge/Rimcrest housing development in eastern Palm Springs, but you can also reach it from the Berns, Henderson, and Garstin Trails.

While Araby Trail offers gorgeous mountain terrain and beautiful views, it also takes you past an architectural landmark—Bob Hope’s house. It’s also a horse-friendly trail, so you may see horseback riders during your hike.

5. Palm Springs Museum Trail

• Length: 1.6 miles
• Elevation Gain: 833 feet
• Trail Details

If you’re looking for a hike that’s close to Downtown Palm Springs, the Palm Springs Museum Trail is perfect for you!

As the name suggests, this two-mile trail begins right behind the Palm Springs Art Museum and takes roughly two hours to complete. The primary trail offers gorgeous views of Downtown Palm Springs and the surrounding mountain ranges and connects to other trails in the area if you’re looking for more of a challenge.

6. North Lykken Trail

• Length: 4.3 miles
• Elevation Gain: 1,745 feet
• Trail Details

The North Lykken Trail is one of the most popular outdoor activities in Palm Springs. This 4.3-mile out-and-back trail offers gorgeous views of the desert and the city and has a 1,700-foot elevation gain. You can reach the trail by taking Ramon Road past Palm Canyon Drive. The trailhead is at the end of the road, and you can park on the street.

When you’re about a mile into the hike, there are some picnic tables you can stop at to enjoy the views, so be sure to bring a packed lunch or snack. This trail also connects to other Palm Springs hiking trails, like the Museum Trail, and you can even continue your hike into Chino Canyon.

7. San Jacinto Peak Hike

• Length: 10 miles
• Elevation Gain: 2,555 feet
• Trail Details

The San Jacinto Peak Hike is located in San Jacinto State Park, which features over 50 miles of hiking trails and 14,000 acres of wilderness. San Jacinto State Park is primarily accessible using the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway—the world’s longest rotating aerial tramway. It takes you from the floor of the desert to an elevation of 9,000 feet in just a few minutes!

This particular out-and-back hike begins at the tram’s Mountain Station and ends at the top of Mt. San Jacinto, the second-highest peak in Southern California. You can see the desert, coast, city, and mountains from this vantage point—it’s spectacular! The entire hike is about 11 miles round-trip.

8. Tahquitz Canyon Trail

• Length: 1.9 miles
• Elevation Gain: 328 feet
• Trail Details

If you want to learn more about the regional history of Palm Springs, you’ll love the Tahquitz Canyon Trail—one of the few hiking trails located in the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians Reservation. Before your hike, you can check out the visitor center to watch a documentary about the canyon and see a small collection of artifacts.

This Palm Springs hike is a two-mile journey past plants, wildlife, ancient pictographs, and agricultural water canals. The hike ends at the base of a beautiful 60-foot waterfall you can admire before turning around and heading back to the trailhead.

9. Skyline Trail: “Cactus to Clouds” Hike

• Length: 21.2 miles
• Elevation Gain: 10,764 feet
• Trail Details

If you’re looking for one of the most challenging hikes in Palm Springs, look no further than the Skyline Trail: “Cactus to Clouds” Hike. You begin this strenuous hike in Downtown Palm Springs and end on top of Mt. San Jacinto—gaining nearly 11,000 feet in elevation. The “Cactus to Clouds” Hike is an all-day 21-mile hike, and it should only be attempted by experienced hikers during the cooler months.

When you arrive at the Mountain Station at the end of your hike, you can rest and enjoy the scenic overlooks, then, you can take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway down the mountain back to the desert floor.

Book a Palm Springs Vacation Rental with Savvy VRM for Your Next Trip

If you’re planning to hit the trails during your upcoming vacation to Palm Springs, we hope this list helps you find the ideal hike with spectacular views for your skill level.

If you’re still looking for the perfect place to stay in Palm Springs, CA, during your trip, we hope you’ll consider staying with us at Savvy VRM! Whether you’re looking for a remote desert escape or a stylish luxury getaway, you’re sure to find the perfect home to satisfy your needs from our wide selection of short-term and long-term rentals.

Browse our vacation rentals in Palm Springs, CA, to begin planning your adventure in this beautiful hiking paradise!