Indian Canyons Palm Springs is a culturally significant desert landscape with more than 60 miles of hiking and walking trails. You can choose from easy creekside loops to strenuous routes, with Palm Canyon’s fan palms and Andreas Canyon’s rock formations among the area’s highlights.
- Location: The day-hike entrance is at 38520 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California.
- Trail range: Routes include the 1.2-mile Andreas Canyon loop and the 12.3-mile Hahn Buena Vista loop.
- Typical hours: Open daily
- Admission: Adult day admission is $12; other rates and ticket details vary.
What and where Indian Canyons is
Indian Canyons is the ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, and the Tribe describes the canyons as sacred to the Cahuilla people. Cultural remains include rock art, house pits, foundations, irrigation works, trails and food-preparation areas.
Palm Canyon stretches 15 miles and is known for California fan palms (Washingtonia filifera), indigenous flora and fauna, rocky gorges and a footpath into the canyon. The Palm Canyon Trading Post is a place to pick up hiking maps and refreshments, as well as browse Indian art, artifacts, books, jewelry, pottery, baskets and weaving.
For a separate Palm Springs outing focused on a waterfall hike, Tahquitz Canyon’s waterfall trail offers another canyon experience.
Choosing a trail and viewpoint
Indian Canyons trails range from an easy 1.2-mile loop to long, strenuous routes, so match your choice to the distance and elevation gain you’re prepared to handle.
Andreas Canyon loop
The Andreas Canyon loop is an easy 1.2-mile route with 200 feet of elevation gain. It follows Andreas Creek past rock formations, trees and California fan palms.
Murray Canyon
The Murray Canyon route is a moderate 4.7 miles with 450 feet of elevation gain. It is known for Seven Sisters Waterfall and can be combined with the Coffman Trail loop.
Victor Trail
The Victor Trail is a moderate 2.7 miles with 365 feet of elevation gain. A three-mile loop from the Trading Post follows Palm Canyon Trail and reaches a ridge overlooking the canyon.
East Fork Trail
The East Fork Trail is a moderate 7.0 miles with 850 feet of elevation gain. Its access point is about one mile south of the Palm Canyon Trading Post along Palm Canyon Trail.
Longer routes
The West Fork North combined loop covers 8.7 miles and gains 1,990 feet; it is recommended only for conditioned hikers. The Hahn Buena Vista loop is 12.3 miles, strenuous, with 1,915 feet of elevation gain, and is also recommended only for conditioned hikers.
Ranger-led interpretive hikes run from October through June, Friday through Sunday. The 1.5-hour hikes start at 10 a.m. from the Trading Post through Palm Canyon and at 1 p.m. from Andreas parking on the Andreas loop; they are free with paid admission.
Ranger talks run Monday through Thursday in that period, at 10 a.m. at the Trading Post and 1 p.m. at Andreas parking. Each talk lasts 30 minutes and is free with paid admission. No ranger-led hikes are available from July through September.
Entry fees, hours and seasonal access
Indian Canyons has a seasonal schedule, and the last vehicle enters at 4 p.m. in both operating periods.
The posted hours vary seasonally, from October 1 through July 5 and from July 6 through October 1. Hours and prices can change, so check the official site of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians before you go.
Opening hours
- Monday to Sunday: 8 AM–5 PM
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
Admission is $12 for adults, $7 for seniors aged 62 and older and students with student ID, and $6 for children aged 6–12. U.S. military members with military ID enter free. Equestrian admission is $11; an annual pass is $125, and an equestrian annual pass is $150. Prices are subject to change.
Day-hike tickets are sold at the Indian Canyons Toll Gate. You can also buy tickets or annual passes at the Agua Caliente Visitor’s Counter in the Palm Springs Visitor Center, 2901 N. Palm Canyon. Anyone entering alone must be at least 18; people aged 17 or younger must be accompanied by an adult.
Desert hiking preparation
Carry water on every trail: the safety guidance gives a rule of thumb of at least one quart per hiking hour. For hikes of 2 miles or longer, bring extra water, food and supplies.
Stay on designated trails, park only in designated areas, and leave natural and cultural objects undisturbed. The canyons prohibit animals, bicycles and motorized vehicles on trails, as well as fires, smoking, alcohol, rock climbing, firearms, explosives, fireworks, loud music and drones.
Getting to the canyons from the motel
The day-hike entrance is on S. Palm Canyon Drive. Delos Reyes is a Palm Springs motel; Delos Reyes is one local starting point for planning a canyon outing.
If you use rideshare, drivers must display company stickers in their windshields for passenger drop-off and pickup.
FAQs
How many trails are in Indian Canyons?
Indian Canyons has more than 60 miles of hiking and walking trails. Routes range from easy loops to strenuous hikes.
Can you hike to a waterfall in Indian Canyons?
Murray Canyon is known for Seven Sisters Waterfall. Its route is a moderate 4.7 miles with 450 feet of elevation gain.
Are ranger-led hikes offered all year?
No. Ranger-led hikes run from October through June, with none from July through September. They are free with paid admission.
Where can you buy day-hike tickets?
Day-hike tickets are sold at the Indian Canyons Toll Gate. The Agua Caliente Visitor’s Counter at the Palm Springs Visitor Center also sells tickets and annual passes.