Things to do in Palm Springs 🌴 Hike the Palm Canyon Trail and the Victor Trail in the Indian Canyons

Join me for a step by step hike in one of the most beautiful natural wonders in Palm Springs or just about anywhere in California - The Indian Canyons, a gorgeous desert oasis.

In this video, I vlog a 3 mile loop starting at the Indian Canyons Trading Post and descending down to the Palm Canyon Trail before crossing a stream to head up the ridge on the Victor Trail - which features breathtaking views of the Indian Canyons. Along the way, I meet up with a Tribal Ranger for a quick interview and we hike together for a while.

I'll also show you the way in to the canyons and where to park for this hike.

Enjoy!

ABOUT THE INDIAN CANYONS IN PALM SPRINGS
The Indian Canyons are a beautiful nature reserve located in South Palm Springs.

The Indian Canyons are owned and operated by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians and there is a modest entry fee charged to access these trails.

The Indian Canyons span over 31,500 acre featuring breathtaking canyons, unique rock formations, and lush vegetation and some of the most amazing and accessible views you will find anywhere in California.

The history of Indian Canyons dates back thousands of years, when the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians settled in this area. The Cahuilla people have a long and rich history in the region, and they used the canyons as a source of water and food. They also believed that the canyons contained powerful spirits that protected their tribe. You might even feel those spirits today!

In the early 1900s, the Agua Caliente Tribe began to take steps to protect their sacred land, and Indian Canyons became a nature reserve in 1969.

Today, visitors can explore the canyons on foot or horseback. Either way, it is one of the must see places in the Coachella Valley and things to do in Palm Springs.

WHERE ARE THE INDIAN CANYONS?
The general address is 38500 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264 but that really won't help much. Here's how you get their assuming you are coming by car and not part of a tour.

If you are staying in central, north or downtown Palm Springs, head south on Palm Canyon Drive. When the road veers to the left becoming Palm Canyon East - you stay to the right which is S Palm Canyon Drive.

If you are approaching from further east in the Coachella Vally, you'll be making a left at that intersection.

Whichever way you approach from, you'll continue heading south. At some point you'll leave the houses and neighborhoods behind and be driving through a gorgeous desert landscape until you see a stand of palm trees and the entrance gate.

After the gate, you'll continue driving until you can't go any further which means that you've arrived at the parking lot and Trading Post. The roads are well paved but for some reason the parking lot is dirt and gravel.

THE PALM CANYON TRAIL
The Palm Canyon Trail begins at the Trading Post and provides hikers access to the many trails of varying lengths leading to remote areas of the canyon. Trails that can be accessed from the Palm Canyon Trail are: West Fork Trail, East Fork Trail, Victor Trail, Vandeventer Trail, Dry Wash Trail, and the Indian Potrero Trail.

The Palm Canyon Trail is 15 miles one way to Hwy 74. But most people use it to access the other trails and in this video we do the loop of Palm Canyon to Victor and along the way hike through the world’s largest California fan palm oasis.

THE VICTOR TRAIL
This trail is one of the most scenic trails in the Indian Canyons and is best accessed by hiking a mile south on the Palm Canyon Trail, crossing a stream and then following the signs to the Victor Trail. The Victor Trail will take you out of the shade of the palm trees, up and onto the ridge that overlooks the canyon and return the hiker to the Trading Post making a three mile loop.

BEFORE YOU GO ON THE INDIAN CANYONS HIKE
Bring lots of water.
No pets allowed.
Use sunscreen.
Study the trail map before you go!

Is this one of the best hikes in Palm Springs? It certainly is the most unique and scenic and unlike anything else you've seen. Go and enjoy the Indian Canyons loop and Palm Springs nature.

Hopefully you enjoyed my Palm Springs hiking vlog and are ready to travel Palm Springs!

CHAPTERS

00:00 - Intro
01:27 - driving to the Indian Canyons
03:08 - Indian Canyons entry gate
05:51 - Indian Canyons split rock (heading in)
07:44 - Indian Canyons parking lot
09:34 - Palm Canyon Trail
29:16 - crossing the stream
38:24 - hydrating in the Indian Canyons
39:46 - the Victor Trail
45:03 - Tribal Ranger interview and hike
49:46 - back at the parking lot
50:15 - Indian Canyons Trading Post
51:12 - driving out of the Indian Canyons
53:00 - the split rock
53:30 - leaving the Indian Canyons
56:48 - Outro

Learn more:
https://www.indian-canyons.com/indian...

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