Home › California › Palm Springs › Tahquitz Canyon
Tahquitz Canyon
4.5 ★★★★★ 956 Google reviews · Running trail in Palm Springs, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Loop distance
- 2 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Tahquitz Canyon'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.
Canyon with a waterfall, rock art, plants & wildlife, along with a visitor center.
What runners say about Tahquitz Canyon
“The views are beautiful and the hike was not strenuous unless you have an issue with the high rock steps.”
“This is a really family-friendly hiking trail with well-marked, interconnecting trails throughout the park.”
“This is a really family-friendly hiking trail with well-marked, interconnecting trails throughout the park.”
Nice 2-mile hike with a waterfall at the midway point. We arrived at 9:45am and the parking lot was pretty full, but we got lucky as 2 people were leaving. 1.5 hours later when we were done, the parking lot was half empty. The hike itself was fine and can take you as little or as long as you’d like.
This is a really great hiking trail close to downtown Palm Springs. It’s a well developed and well maintained trail, but a little rocky and rough in places. It takes about 40 minutes to an hour to walk back to the falls. In the dry months (Winter months) there is very little water coming over the falls.
This is a perfect hike for individuals and families. We arrived at the trail around 9:00 am on a Saturday and were able to purchase our passes very quickly. The cost is $15 per adult.
$15 per adult. Short hike, but it does come with some challenges. Restroom facilities are available at the visitor center, and you can fill your water bottle there, as well.
Trail conditions & character
“The waterfall at the end is very pretty and refreshingly cold and shaded so a great spot to relax before the hike back.”
“We arrived at 9:45am and the parking lot was pretty full, but we got lucky as 2 people were leaving.”
“Go early and bring lots of water (they'll make you buy it, if you don't have enough) Do the whole loop and watch for big horned sheep!”
“Lots of rocks and sand, and in some areas, there are very high rock steps to climb up and then down on the other side of the waterfall.”
“Restroom facilities are available at the visitor center, and you can fill your water bottle there, as well.”
“There is a bottle filling station at the water fountain.”
“This is a really family-friendly hiking trail with well-marked, interconnecting trails throughout the park.”
Plan your run at Tahquitz Canyon
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- Loop distance2 mi back to where you parked
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- Websitetahquitzcanyon.com
- Phone+1 760-416-7044
Hours
| Monday | 7:30 am–3:30 pm |
| Tuesday | 7:30 am–3:30 pm |
| Wednesday | 7:30 am–3:30 pm |
| Thursday | 7:30 am–3:30 pm |
| Friday | 7:30 am–3:30 pm |
| Saturday | 7:30 am–3:30 pm |
| Sunday | 7:30 am–3:30 pm |
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