Whether it's lush palm oases, ephemeral lakes or seasonal waterfalls, a surprising amount of oases are scattered across California's vast desert regions. Some springs have supported Native American communities for centuries, others provide water for bighorn sheep, and even dams tell stories of the old Wild West. From Death Valley to Greater Palm Springs, these are some of the rare places where water and life persist in the California desert.
After a three-year closure due to repairs and construction, the Salt Creek Interpretive Site in Death Valley National Park reopened in February 2026 with a brand new 0.5-mile ADA accessible boardwalk. Flash flooding in 2022 and 2023 caused significant damage to the area, and in addition to a new boardwalk with benches, the replacement facilities include a vault toilet, interpretive signage and an improved parking area.
Rather than towering palms or waterfalls, this shallow, spring-fed system supports one of the desert’s most resilient species: the endangered Salt Creek pupfish (aka Death Valley pupfish). These tiny fish have adapted to survive in water that is both warm and highly saline — conditions that would be uninhabitable for most other species. Depending on the season, water flows intermittently along the creek, but when conditions are right, you can spot pupfish darting through the shallows.
To access the parking lot and boardwalk, head west on the unpaved Salt Creek Road, which is just over a mile one way. A 4x4 vehicle is not necessary, but be sure to follow posted speed limits and don’t drive too close to the shoulder, which can have spots of deep sand. The turnoff for Salt Creek Road is located 13 miles northwest of Furnace Creek on CA-190.
Tucked into a narrow canyon on the west side of Death Valley National Park near Panamint Springs, Darwin Falls is the definition of a secret oasis. This spring-fed waterfall flows year-round, though the creek doesn’t extend beyond the secluded desert gorge. The lower waterfall (pictured above) stands nearly 20 feet tall and cascades into a shallow seasonal pool, providing habitat for willow trees, cattails, bighorn sheep, birds and even amphibians like tree frogs and toads.
While Darwin Falls was once a short hike accessible via Old Toll Road, that route was damaged by flooding in 2023 and remains closed. As of April 2026, Darwin Falls can only be accessed by parking on the shoulder of CA-190 and walking on the dirt road to the trailhead. The route is now 7 miles round trip with nearly 700 feet of elevation gain, and per the National Park Service (NPS), swimming is not permitted. After walking roughly 2.5 miles on Old Toll Road, you’ll reach the former parking area, and you’ll continue for another mile to the falls. The trail is generally not well marked, and obstacles include slick rocks, thick vegetation and stream crossings.
The Oasis of Mara is situated between the North Entrance of Joshua Tree National Park and the 29 Palms Inn, and it’s one of the most historically significant water sources in the area. Fed by a natural spring along the Pinto Fault and surrounded by native California fan palm trees (Washingtonia filifera), the oasis has supported life in the desert for thousands of years.
Per the National Park Service, the area was first settled by the Serrano people, who referred to it as “Mara,” which loosely translates to “place of little springs and much grass.” According to local history, the Serrano planted 29 palm trees to mark the birth of 29 baby boys during their first year at the oasis, which inspired the name of the city of 29 Palms. Some members of the Chemehuevi tribe also lived with the Serrano, and early settlers arrived in the late 1800s, relying on the oasis for ranching and mining operations.
By 1913, the Serrano and Chemehuevi were gone, and in the early 1920s, the Gold Park Hotel, later named the 29 Palms Inn, was established. The Inn has two rustic cabins situated right next to the water, plus a walking path on the property that leads directly to the spring. Just 0.25 miles east of the Inn, visitors can park at the North Entrance ranger station in 29 Palms and stroll along the paved 0.5-mile interpretive trail, which has signage and several benches. Pictured above is the Oasis of Mara from the interpretive trail during a rare winter storm.
Originally developed in the mid-20th century as a health spa, Zzyzx now serves as the California State University Desert Studies Center — and a unique photo op near Baker on Interstate 40 in the Mojave National Preserve. Located next to the vast Soda Dry Lake, which was once fed by a natural spring, the manmade Lake Teundae now provides habitat for the endangered Mojave tui chub fish, insects, plus a range of migratory and resident birds, including American Coots, several species of warblers, ducks and roadrunners.
The flat, quarter-mile nature trail around Lake Teundae is open from sunrise to sunset, and the road to the designated visitor parking area is mostly paved and suitable for low-clearance vehicles. The structures next to Lake Tuendae are considered private property and part of the CSU campus, and National Park visitors are only permitted to walk on the path around the lake.
With a cluster of California fan palms and the chance to spot endangered Peninsular bighorn sheep, it’s easy to see why Borrego Palm Canyon is one of the most popular hikes in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. As of May 2026, the palm grove is still closed for restoration following a 2020 fire, but the main trail leads to an overlook of the palms, which have made an incredible recovery. Most have sprouted plenty of new fronds, with just the scorched trunks serving as a reminder of the blaze.
The three-mile trail has around 600 feet of elevation gain, and it is conveniently located next to the Borrego Palm Canyon Campground, which is approximately five minutes from the charming town of Borrego Springs. In the early spring, a variety of wildflowers bloom along the trail, including Emory’s Rockdaisy, Desert Lavender and Parish’s poppy, and the hills and canyon walls are covered in green vegetation. While the bighorn sheep tend to stay higher in the canyon, every once in a while, they venture down and amble along the main trail. If you encounter bighorn sheep on your hike, please remember to keep your distance and do not approach the animals, as they can charge when provoked.
Located in the southern section of Joshua Tree National Park near the Cottonwood Visitor Center, Cottonwood Spring is a rare, reliable water source fed by underground fault systems. Surrounded by California fan palms and cottonwood trees, the oasis supports a variety of birdlife, including cedar waxwings, Gambel’s quail and several species of hummingbirds, and it’s widely considered one of the best birding areas in the park—especially during migration. The Cahuilla Indians used the spring for centuries, and per the National Park Service, it was first mentioned by settlers in a gold mining claim filed in 1875. These days, the oasis is just 500 feet from the parking lot, and with ample shade and slightly cooler temperatures, it’s an ideal stop during warmer weather.
The Cottonwood Spring trailhead also serves as a gateway to longer hikes, including the Lost Palms Oasis Trail (7.5 miles), Mastodon Peak (2.5 miles) and the Moorten’s Mill Trail (1.2 miles), which leads to the remains of an early 20th-century gold mill. A 0.5-mile path connects the trailhead to Cottonwood Campground and continues on to the 10-mile Eagle Mountain Trail.
At 282 feet below sea level, Badwater Basin is the lowest point in North America. Located 18 miles south of Furnace Creek in Death Valley National Park, these vast salt flats meet the base of the Panamint Mountains, which top out at 11,000 feet. But after significant rainstorms, the basin can temporarily fill with water, creating a surreal landscape known as Lake Manly. The shallow saline lake formed after Hurricane Hilary in August 2023, and again in the winter of 2026 following heavy precipitation. Thanks to high heat, low humidity and wind, Lake Manly can evaporate quickly, so the best time to visit is in the winter and early spring.
From the large parking area off Badwater Road (California State Route 178), one main path leads to the salt flats. Visitors typically have to walk about a mile round trip to see the larger hexagonal salt tiles, and this generally marks the edge of Lake Manly as well. While wandering onto the salt flats is permitted, the National Park Service reminds visitors to avoid walking into the muddy areas of Badwater Basin, as it can damage the ecosystem and leave footprints for years to come.
For an elevated perspective, consider driving to Dante’s View. Perched over 5,500 feet above Badwater Basin, Dante’s View is approximately 45 minutes from Furnace Creek and accessible via a 13-mile paved road. The road is narrow with tight switchbacks, so vehicles over 25 feet are not permitted.
Tahquitz Canyon is home to a stunning 60-foot waterfall that flows after winter and spring rains, and it is one of the most culturally significant sites for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. According to Cahuilla legend, Tahquitz was once a powerful guardian spirit of shamans who used his abilities to help the Cahuilla people. Over time, however, he turned against them and was ultimately banished to the canyon, where he is said to remain.
While self-guided tours are a wonderful way to experience this rare desert waterfall, consider taking a ranger-led interpretive hike. From October through June, guided hiking tours depart from the Agua Caliente Tahquitz Visitor Center at 8 a.m., 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m., and from July to September, hikes depart at 8 a.m. only. As you take in the scenery of the canyon during the two-hour tour, you’ll see a rock formation that represents one of the oldest Cahuilla village sites and rock art, and rangers explain how endemic plants like honey mesquite and yucca were used for medicine, food and dyes. The two-mile trail is well-maintained, but there are some steps and the trail has approximately 350 feet of elevation gain. The trailhead is located at the Agua Caliente Tahquitz Visitor Center in Palm Springs, and admission is $15 per adult and $7 per child.
Located within Indian Canyons, this area is part of the ancestral lands of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, who have long relied on these springs for water, shade and plant resources. The Andreas Canyon and Murray Canyon trailheads sit side by side, offering two distinct hiking experiences.
Andreas Canyon (pictured above) is home to one of the most accessible palm oases in the region, where a lush grove of California fan palms surrounds a year-round stream flowing through the desert. The Andreas Canyon Trail is an easy 1-mile loop with roughly 50 feet of elevation gain, beginning along Andreas Creek before climbing gently to overlook the palm grove and stream. For a longer outing, the Murray Canyon Trail is a 4-mile out-and-back route with approximately 600 feet of gain, leading to a more secluded oasis and a small seasonal waterfall (pictured below). Ranger-led interpretive hikes are typically offered on weekends, and admission is $12 per adult, $7 per senior and $6 per child.
Located on the north boundary of Joshua Tree National Park in Twentynine Palms, the 49 Palms Oasis Trail is a moderate trek to yet another desert palm grove. Per the National Park Service, the oasis and its parking area are closed in the summer to allow bighorn sheep access to the water. The closure typically remains in place until monsoons provide enough rainfall to increase water availability. While it’s just three miles round trip with approximately 600 feet of elevation gain, most of the trail is exposed with little to no shade, so get an early start, or consider skipping this during the warmer months.
Barker Dam is one of the most prominent water features in Joshua Tree National Park, but with a caveat. While the dam can fill with water following periods of heavy precipitation, most of the time the reservoir is dry, exposing a plethora of granite boulders. Cattle rancher C.O. Barker built the dam in 1900 with cement and native stone, and the nine-foot structure was raised an additional three feet by rancher William F. Keys in 1949. Per the National Register of Historic Places nomination form, “The dam is typical of such structures erected by cattlemen in arid desert regions to impound run-off rainwater from infrequent desert cloudbursts in an artificial ‘tank’ or reservoir.”
Still, with verdant willows, pinyon pines, Joshua trees, chirping birds and ancient petroglyphs along the stunning 1.1-mile Barker Dam Nature Trail, don’t rule out a visit to this seasonal watering hole. The trail gains a scant 65 feet in elevation, and it is generally far less crowded than other routes in the park, offering the perfect mix of scenery and solitude. The trailhead is just a mile and a half from the popular Hidden Valley Campground, and equidistant from the park’s West and North entrances.