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Mission Creek Preserve
4.7 ★★★★★ 219 Google reviews · Running trail in Desert Hot Springs, California · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Distance
- 42 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Mission Creek Preserve'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.
Nature preserve featuring a hiking trail with mountain views, and a stone house with picnic tables.
What runners say about Mission Creek Preserve
“The Stone houses are well kept and the bathrooms are clean and in perfect working order.”
“Super grateful to the naturalist that took their time to shate the names of all of the beautiful plants, history and topography of the Mission Creek Preserve.”
“it's not a shady hike for sure, and the land is also shared with some bears and coyotes, but overall the hike to the Stone House was fairly flat and easy.”
“Very near the gate there is an easy walk with some shady stone houses with picnic tables, perfect for an easy lunch destination.”
“Cool place to take your dogs especially when they love the water.”
The Mission Creek preserve is an easy and good hike to go for the day. Parking is limited but this is not as popular so most of the time you will be fine. Getting here is a dirt road from the 62. The road is in good condition and any car will make it.
Great place to visit. Hiking or dirt road walking both available. With permission you can have additional access. Very near the gate there is an easy walk with some shady stone houses with picnic tables, perfect for an easy lunch destination. Walk the road the 1.6 miles to the Stone House.
An easy and beautiful trail that can be enjoyed with children and dogs. There is a gradual elevation gain to about 300ft, but you hardly notice it as you’re busy admiring the mountain vistas. Today there are still snow capped peaks in the San Jacinto range which can be seen from the trail.
Great easy hike over slight gradient. The only caveat is the Sun exposure. Layer clothes and bring 1-liter of water. Bathrooms at Stone House are Hotel-clean - I was impressed. Great place to chill, before the return hike. The only complaint is the bumpy road to the Main Gate parking lot.
Trail conditions & character
“An easy and beautiful trail that can be enjoyed with children and dogs.”
“Super grateful to the naturalist that took their time to shate the names of all of the beautiful plants, history and topography of the Mission Creek Preserve.”
“You drive a little over 2 miles on a dirt road to main parking area which most car can do.”
“There are restrooms by the stone house and you can cross the creek if you want to just keep going past that.”
“it's not a shady hike for sure, and the land is also shared with some bears and coyotes, but overall the hike to the Stone House was fairly flat and easy.”
“Visitors are surprised to discover the center of the Preserve is a lush wetland with a backdrop of eroded painted hills and Mount San Gorgonio looming in the background.”
Plan your run at Mission Creek Preserve
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Distance42 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitewildlandsconservancy.org
- Phone+1 760-369-7105
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 6 am–5 pm |
| Tuesday | 6 am–5 pm |
| Wednesday | 6 am–5 pm |
| Thursday | 6 am–5 pm |
| Friday | 6 am–5 pm |
| Saturday | 6 am–5 pm |
| Sunday | 6 am–5 pm |
Running trails near Desert Hot Springs
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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