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.
 

3:57 Explore the Palm Oases ~ Wander List

Explore the Palm Oases

In the shadows of towering mountains, tucked discreetly in uncommon corners and scattered like scarce jewels across barren dunes, sit some of the deserts most incredible assets, palm oases. Large clusters of desert fan palms can be found throughout Greater Palm Springs...

The Best Hikes in Tahquitz and Indian Canyons

The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians reservation is home to the stunning landscapes of Tahquitz Canyon and Indian Canyons, which include several waterfalls and the largest Washingtonia filifera (California fan palm) oasis in the world. The tribe has been managing and protecting these natural w...

Read More

Tahquitz Canyon

Nestled deep within the rocky crevices of the San Jacinto Mountains in Palm Springs, Tahquitz Canyon is an oasis of healing, outdoor adventure and natural wonder. As part of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation, it remains one of the region’s most beautiful and...

Highlights. Greater Palm Springs