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Clara Burgess Trail

4.8 ★★★★★ 16 Google reviews · Running trail in Palm Springs, California · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Natural surface
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Clara Burgess Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Clara Burgess Trail — running trail in Palm Springs, CA, photo 1
Clara Burgess Trail — running trail in Palm Springs, CA, photo 2
Clara Burgess Trail — running trail in Palm Springs, CA, photo 3
Clara Burgess Trail — running trail in Palm Springs, CA, photo 4
Clara Burgess Trail — running trail in Palm Springs, CA, photo 5
Natural surfaceStroller / ADATrailhead parking

Challenging single 2.2-mi. national forest trail ascending 1,339 feet to a hilltop.

What runners say about Clara Burgess Trail

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (16 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

This is a lovely hike to take when you have time to meander through the foothills. I didn't plan very well and ended up hiking for three hours with no water or food! Do not make that same mistake! At times the trail is hard to follow because there are several paths to choose from.

★★★★★ — D , Dec 2018

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 16 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🌲 Natural surface / singletrack

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🅿️ Trailhead parking

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♿ Stroller / ADA accessible

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Plan your run at Clara Burgess Trail

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
  • Websitefs.usda.gov
  • Phone(760) 862-9984
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday 8:30 AM–4 PM
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday Closed
Thursday 8:30 AM–4 PM
Friday 8:30 AM–4 PM
Saturday 8:30 AM–4 PM
Sunday 8:30 AM–4 PM

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Clara Burgess Trail

Goat Trails, Palm Springs, CA 92264

Get directions

Running trails near Palm Springs

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Burgess Access Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 29 reviews

Palm Springs, CA

ScenicDog-friendly

under a mile away

The Ramp

4.5 ★★★★★ 67 reviews

Palm Springs, CA

Natural surfaceShadedScenicDog-friendly

under a mile away

Araby Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 104 reviews

Palm Springs, CA

LoopNatural surfaceShadedScenic

Hiking route offers views of the Coachella Valley and San Jacinto Mountains, plus Bob Hope's house.

1.0 miles away

Dunn Road Access Trail

4.4 ★★★★☆ 25 reviews

Palm Springs, CA

1.3 miles away

Cathedral Canyon Trailhead

4.4 ★★★★☆ 38 reviews

Cathedral City, CA

Natural surfaceScenicDog-friendly

1.5 miles away

Earl Henderson Trail

4.1 ★★★★☆ 27 reviews

Palm Springs, CA

LoopScenicDog-friendly

Scenic mountain trail covering 2.9 miles, popular for walks, nature hikes & horseback riding.

1.6 miles away

All running trails in Palm Springs, CA →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.