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Indian Canyons
4.5 ★★★★★ 1,134 Google reviews · Running trail in Palm Springs, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- 5 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Indian Canyons' 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.
This group of canyons has trails for hiking & horseback riding, plus picnic areas & a gift shop.
What runners say about Indian Canyons
“Both were scenic but the Andreas trail was more enjoyable for being a bit more challenging and also less crowded (although neither was "crowded" in an urban sense!”
“The trails are well marked and not too difficult, making it good for families and casual hikers.”
“Indian Canyons is such a peaceful and scenic place.”
“There are shaded ones that are beginner friendly near the beginning if you want something simple.”
My favorite hike in Palm Springs, California is Indian Canyons, which offers numerous surprises. The park features multiple trails, but Palm Canyon stands out as a highlight. Walking through the lush palm forest feels like an oasis, providing ample opportunities to rest and take in breathtaking views.
$12 entry fee gets you access to stunning scenery and gorgeous hikes of varying strain and skill levels. Gorgeous, though not all the trails are clearly marked or thoroughly kept. There are shaded ones that are beginner friendly near the beginning if you want something simple. Bring water and sunscreen, it gets hot.
Great place to take a hike/walk. Very serene. Go early because it gets pretty hot. The bathrooms by the trading post were pretty smelly. I'd avoid them if you can Aside from that a great day trip.
I attempted both the Andreas Canyon Loop and Murray Canyon to Seven Sisters Falls. Both trails are listed as 'easy'. The Andreas Loop was the easier of the two, though still had a couple narrow sections which skirt around one side of the canyon.
Trail conditions & character
“Both were scenic but the Andreas trail was more enjoyable for being a bit more challenging and also less crowded (although neither was "crowded" in an urban sense!”
“Some trails feel repetitive after a while, and parking / entry fees can feel a bit high, but overall it’s a great spot to experience desert nature up close.”
“We did the Lower Andreas Loop and then drove to the upper parking area to do an out-and-back on the Palm Canyon Trail.”
“Indian Canyons is such a peaceful and scenic place.”
“The park is expansive, with ample parking and restroom facilities.”
“The trails are well marked and not too difficult, making it good for families and casual hikers.”
“We recently visited the Indian Canyons in Palm Springs and did a 5-mile hike—easily one of the highlights of our trip.”
Plan your run at Indian Canyons
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- Loop distance5 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websiteindian-canyons.com
- Phone+1 760-323-6018
Hours
| Monday | 8 am–5 pm |
| Tuesday | 8 am–5 pm |
| Wednesday | 8 am–5 pm |
| Thursday | 8 am–5 pm |
| Friday | 8 am–5 pm |
| Saturday | 8 am–5 pm |
| Sunday | 8 am–5 pm |
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.
Palm Canyon
4.8 ★★★★★ 973 reviews
Nature preserve featuring a canyon, palm trees, and pools, plus picnic areas.
Murray Canyon Trail
4.7 ★★★★★ 112 reviews
Hike along a creek or stream past palm trees to a waterfall, through a canyon and over rocks.
Andreas Canyon Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 985 reviews
Featuring palm trees and a stream, this hiking area offers picnic tables and a restroom.
South Lykken Trailhead
4.8 ★★★★★ 211 reviews
Scenic hiking site featuring steep and rocky paths, along with panoramic city views.