Indian Canyons

About 15 minutes south of Palm Springs is a beautiful place called Indian Canyons. Located on the tribal land of the Agua Caliente band of Cahuilla Indians are miles of trails through desert hills and lush canyon oases.

Check out this split rock you have to drive through to get to Palm Canyon!

A tribal ranger recommended the Victor Trail in Palm Canyon, followed by the Canyon Loop Trail in Andreas Canyon.

As we walked behind the trading post we were greeted with an amazing view of the canyon below — the world’s largest California Fan Palm oasis. Entering the oasis felt like we had been transported to a tropical island.

The towering palms provided a lot of shade as we walked through Palm Canyon. As soon as we turned onto the Victor Trail, we were back in the sun, looking out over the desert. Instead of palm trees and sand, we had barrel cactus and boulders.

Those giant palm trees started looking pretty small as we climbed the hill.

Over at Andreas Canyon, half of the Canyon Loop Trail took us along a ridge above the oasis, and the other half ran right along the face of the canyon wall. That was pretty cool. On one side of the trail was a small stream and huge palm trees, on the other was this towering wall of huge rocks.

You know the important things to bring hiking: water, sunblock, etc., but there are two extra things you should bring to Indian Canyons. First, a picnic! There are lots of picnic tables near the oases in Palm Canyon and Andreas Canyon. A really cool spot for lunch. Second, bring wipes to clean your legs at the end of the day! (And don’t forget to shake all the sand out of your shoes, too!)