TRAILHEAD LOCATIONS

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Trails listed below are open from January 1-December 31

HIKING TIPS - Always carry sufficient water (the rule of thumb is one quart per person per hour). Depending on the difficulty of the trail, shoes with treaded soles or sturdy hiking boots always should be worn. Wear clothing suitable for the weather (layered clothing for cooler weather and long sleeves and a hat to protect against the sun during hot desert days. And don't forget your sunscreen and sunglasses.

Please note: Dogs are not allowed on Bureau of Land Management lands in the Santa Rosa Mountains east of Palm Canyon.

Bogert Trail Complex

Alexander Trail - 1.5 miles *Easy. This trail can be reached by taking South Palm Canyon Drive to Bogert Trail and turning left. Continue down Bogert Trail and cross over Bogert Bridge, then bear left and park at the end of the road. The trail begins in the wash below the parking area. It hugs the base of the Santa Rosa Mountains and ends at the intersection with Palm Canyon Trail.

Araby Trail - 1.6 miles *Moderate. This trail can be accessed either from the trailhead at the entrance to the Rimcrest-Southridge development located on East Palm Canyon Drive approximately one mile northeast of the intersection of Gene Autry or via Berns, Garstin and Henderson Trails. The parking area is ample but not marked nor maintained. It is on the right-hand side of the road. There is a small wooden sign indicating the start of the trail that is across the road from the parking lot.

Berns Trail - 1.0 miles *Moderate. From Palm Springs take South Palm Canyon Drive to Bogert Trail and turn left. Continue down Bogert Trail and cross over Bogert Bridge, then bear left and park at the end of the road. Berns Trail is a connector trail and is accessed from Garstin Trail that begins at the toe of the slope adjacent to the parking area.

Garstin Trail - 1.5 miles *Moderate. From Palm Springs take South Palm Canyon Drive to Bogert Trail and turn left. Continue down Bogert Trail and cross over Bogert Bridge, then bear left and park at the end of the road. The trail begins at the toe of the slope adjacent to the parking area.

Henderson Trail - 2.0 miles *Easy. From Palm Springs take South Palm Canyon Drive to Bogert Trail and turn left. Continue down Bogert Trail and cross over Bogert Bridge, then bear left and park at the end of the road. The trailhead is located at the toe of the slope adjacent to the parking area.

Shannon Trail - 1.0 miles *Moderate. From Palm Springs take South Palm Canyon Drive to Bogert Trail and turn left. Continue down Bogert Trail and cross over Bogert Bridge, then bear left and park at the end of the road. Shannon Trail is a connector trail and is accessed from Garstin Trail that begins at the toe of the slope adjacent to the parking area.

Wild Horse Trail - 3.5 miles *Strenuous. From Palm Springs take South Palm Canyon Drive to Bogert Trail and turn left. Continue down Bogert Trail and cross over Bogert Bridge, then bear left and park at the end of the road. Wild Horse Trail is a connector trail and is accessed either from the Garstin Trail that begins at the toe of the slope adjacent to the parking area or from the Araby Trail (see above trailhead description).

Cactus Spring Trail - 11 miles (to Agua Alta Spring) *Strenuous. From Highway 111 take Highway 74 in Palm Desert to the Pinyon Flats Transfer Road (15.6 miles), then south on Pinyon Flats Transfer Road to the Sawmill Trailhead parking lot on the left-hand side of the road. The trail begins at the east end of the parking lot. Follow the signs along the dirt road to the beginning of the trail where there is a wilderness sign-in box. This trailhead is located on the San Bernardino National Forest and an Adventure Pass is required. The pass can be purchased from the Bobcat Bookstore at the National Monument Visitor Center or from Big 5 Sporting Goods in Palm Desert. A day pass is $5.00 and a seasonal pass is $30.00

Goat Trail - 1-3 miles *Moderate. This trail area, popular with mountain bikers, is reached from an unpaved road at the east end of the Vons Rimrock Shopping Center on South Palm Canyon Drive. Use the shopping center parking area. Alternately, the trail can be reached from the Araby Trail.

Museum Trail - 1.1 miles, *Moderate. Access this trail from the back side of the north parking lot of the Palm Springs Desert Museum (located on Museum Drive one block west of North Palm Canyon Drive at Tahquitz Canyon Way). Enjoy a spectacular view from the picnic tables at the top of the trail.

Pacific Crest Trail - From the National Monument Visitor Center on Highway 74 in Palm Desert, take Highway 74 south for 20 miles and turn right onto a dirt road, then continue about 100 yards to the trailhead parking lot. There is room for about 10 vehicles and up to three horse trailers. The trail proceeds both north and south from the parking area and the south section continues through a metal gate. Please use caution when crossing Highway 74. The trailhead is located on the San Bernardino National Forest and an Adventure Pass is required. The pass can be purchased from the Bobcat Bookstore at the National Monument Visitor Center or from Big 5 Sporting Goods in Palm Desert. A day pass is $5.00 and a seasonal pass is $30.00.

Pacific Crest Trail - From Palm Springs take Interstate 10 west to the Verbenia Avenue exit. As you exit the Interstate, turn left on Verbenia Avenue. Proceed to Cottonwood Road (less than one mile). Turn right on Cottonwood Road and continue past the water storage tank. The road will become a dirt track. The parking lot is located on the right side of the road no more than one mile away. Low clearance vehicles are not advised on the dirt track leading to the parking area, but street-side parking may be available at the end of the paved section.

Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail online map and guide 

Sawmill Trail -3.5 miles *Strenuous. From Highway 111 take Highway 74 in Palm Desert to the Pinyon Flats Transfer Road (15.6 miles), then south on Pinyon Flats Transfer Road to the Sawmill Trailhead parking lot on the left-hand side of the road. To access the trail, travel approximately 5.5 miles up the Sawmill Road that starts from the east end of the parking lot. Only four-wheel drive vehicles, bicycles, horses and foot travel are recommended on the Sawmill Road. The trail is popular with mountain bikers looking for a loop ride utilizing trails, dirt roads and pavement. The trailhead is located on the San Bernardino National Forest and an Adventure Pass is required. The pass can be purchased from the Bobcat Bookstore at the National Monument Visitor Center or from Big 5 Sporting Goods in Palm Desert. A day pass is $5.00 and a seasonal pass is $30.00.

South Lykken Trail - 3.5 miles *Moderate. The north end of the trail starts at the west end of Mesquite Road in South Palm Springs off Highway 111. However, no parking is available at this location. Plan to park near the turnoff from Highway 111 and walk along the road to the trail. The south end of the trail starts on South Palm Canyon Drive near the Canyon Hotel. Parking is available for street vehicles where Palm Canyon Drive narrows from four lanes to two (heading south) and for four-wheel-drive vehicles along a dirt track leading to the base of a dyke that provides access to the trail.

Trail to the Cross - 1.75 miles (approximately) *Moderate. Take Thrush Road west from Highway 74 (at side of Community Presbyterian Church) and continue over drainage culvert, then turn right and park a few hundred yards down the road at the log turnouts. Trail begins across the wash on the hillside (you can either climb over or go around the wooden fence in the wash). Use the trail that begins south of the stone steps. It is easier to follow.

*Easy: up to 500 feet elevation gain and up to six miles in length. *Moderate: between 500 and 1,800 feet elevation gain and between 6 and 10 miles in length. *Strenuous: over 1,800 feet elevation gain, and between 8 and 15 miles in length, or longer.

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve Trails - From Palm Springs travel west on Interstate 10 to its junction with Highway 62, the Twentynine Palms Highway (approximately three miles from Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs). Travel north on Highway 62 for approximately 10-1/2 miles to the northeast end of the Morongo Valley business district and turn right on East Drive. Proceed about 200 yards to the Preserve driveway on the left. Turn into the Preserve at the large rock sign and follow the lane to the parking lot. Trails begin at the kiosk/information center.

Coachella Valley Reserve Trails - From Highway 111 in Palm Desert, take Monterey north and continue over Interstate 10, then turn right on Ramon Road and continue to Thousand Palms Canyon Road and take a left-hand turn (approximately 12 miles).

Indian Canyons Trails - These trails are located on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation in Palm Springs. Take East Palm Canyon Drive (Highway 111) to South Palm Canyon Drive and follow South Palm Canyon Drive to the reservation entrance.

Joshua Tree National Park Trails - From Palm Springs travel west on Interstate 10 to its junction with Highway 62, the Twentynine Palms Highway (approximately three miles from Indian Canyon Drive in Palm Springs). Travel north on Highway 62 which provides access to the Park at three separate locations, with the main Park Visitor Center located in Twentynine Palms. The Park also can be accessed by traveling east on Interstate 10 to the Cottonwood entrance.

Mt. San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Trails - These trails can be accessed from the top of the Palm Springs Aerial Tram. Take Tramway Road off North Palm Canyon Drive (Highway 111) and proceed approximately two miles to the Indian Canyons Trails - These trails are located on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation in Palm Springs. Take East Palm Canyon Drive (Highway 111) to South Palm Canyon Drive and follow South Palm Canyon Drive to the reservation entrance.