Home › California › Desert Hot Springs › Pushawalla Palms Trailhead
Pushawalla Palms Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 109 Google reviews · Running trail in Desert Hot Springs, California · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- 5 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Pushawalla Palms Trailhead'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.
Hiking area in the desert featuring scenic views of a canyon and ridges, plus an oasis.
What runners say about Pushawalla Palms Trailhead
“The trail starts with climbing to the top of a ridge with a great view of the Coachella Valley.”
A great hike to take in the Coachella Valley Preserve. A little long at about 5 to 6 miles round trip but well worth it. The Pushwalla Palms is a very large grouping of palms and an awesome sight to see and experience. Well worth the hike into the isolated desert wilderness.
Amazing hike, we did the full version at 3.66 miles out and back. I highly recommend this hike it was the super fun. It is best to go counterclockwise on the loop to get the best views. 🌞
***The portion of trail at the entrance into the oasis is a scramble. The entire area was washed out. I noticed after I decided not to scramble up that it does lead to the upper portion is ok at entry/exit section near the ridge. It doesn't snake around like it did with some shade.
A Hiking We Will Go - Today, we hiked Pushawalla Palms. It’s part of a 17,000 acre preserve that is home to groves of desert fan palms nourished by water from the San Andreas fault. It’s also where you can see the rare Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard. The 4.
Trail conditions & character
“The trail starts with climbing to the top of a ridge with a great view of the Coachella Valley.”
“You can see the palms against the canyon wall as your descending the hill on a very poorly tracked path, but you can see it if you’re looking for it.”
“Pay attention to the trail markers and do not follow the creek out for the return trip as you will end up into the canyon heading south instead of west to the parking lot.”
“This 4-5 mile hike is one of the better hiking trails around Palm Springs.”
“As you leave the ridge, the trail drops down to a beautiful palm tree oasis, then a steep rocky climb (with a rusted-out truck shell along the way!”
“It is best to go counterclockwise on the loop to get the best views.”
“After walking around the river bed we came back up to flat ground and the came back on the Horseshoe trail side.”
“Pay attention to the trail markers and do not follow the creek out for the return trip as you will end up into the canyon heading south instead of west to the parking lot.”
Plan your run at Pushawalla Palms Trailhead
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- 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 — reported by runners
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.
Coachella Valley Preserve - Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,941 reviews
Nature reserve around a palm-filled oasis offering picnics & hikes in a desert wilderness setting.
Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 216 reviews
Preserved oasis in the desert featuring a natural spring, walking trails, and abundant palm trees.
Willis Palm Trailhead
4.3 ★★★★☆ 73 reviews
Hiking area featuring an oasis with a cluster of palm trees amid a desert landscape.
City of Palm Desert Joe Mann Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 158 reviews
Small community park with basketball & volleyball courts, plus picnic areas & a playground.
Adams Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 117 reviews
Clean 2-playground park featuring a jogging trail, slides, swings, and volleyball court.
City of Palm Desert Magnesia Falls Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 86 reviews
Green space featuring a playground, plus soccer and baseball fields.