Outdoor enthusiasts love Palm Springs, and it’s easy to see why. From desert trails to mountain vistas, cycling tours to championship golf, here are some of the best ways to enjoy the great outdoors like a local.
Hiking & Nature Trails
Indian Canyons: More than 60 miles of trails wind through Palm, Andreas, and Murray Canyons. This sacred land of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians offers streams, lush vegetation, and cultural significance alongside breathtaking desert scenery.
Tahquitz Canyon: A blend of natural beauty and heritage, with easy-to-moderate hikes leading to waterfalls and ancient rock art. The best time to see the cascades is March–April, when the streams run strongest.
Bonus: Many of the canyons feature cascading waterfalls. The best time to see them on your hike is in March and April, when they have the heaviest streams.
Learn more about the many trails and hiking.
Soar to the Sky on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is one of the most iconic and exciting attractions in Palm Springs. It features the world's largest rotating tramcar and offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience a stunning aerial journey. Ascend 2.5 miles from the desert floor to the cooler, pine-filled San Jacinto Mountains at 8,500 feet in elevation. It’s an adventure that offers scenic beauty and a chance to experience diverse ecosystems within a 10-minute ride.
Year-round appeal: In summer, it’s a cool escape from desert heat; in winter, snow transforms the trails into a wonderland.
Bonus: With over 52 miles of hiking trails, there's plenty to see and do outdoors.
Get the Guide to Hiking Mt. San Jacinto Peak Trail
Hiking Jean Peak from the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Biking Adventures
Resort Cruising: Many hotels offer complimentary bikes, perfect for exploring Palm Springs’ neighborhoods and landmarks at your own pace, especially in the cooler fall and spring months.
Bike Rental: You can also rent them at Bike Palm Springs.
Guided Bike Tours
For over 17 years, Big Wheel Tours has been a premier outdoor adventure company in the Greater Palm Springs area, offering guided Jeep tours, bike rentals, and hiking experiences that showcase the desert backcountry's beauty. Highly rated on Viator and a recipient of multiple TripAdvisor Certificates of Excellence, Big Wheel Tours provides unforgettable adventures for visitors of all ages and skill levels.
Self-Guided Bike Tours
- The urban Big City Loop bike tour explores the broader landscape and outlying neighborhoods and is excellent for gaining a feel for the city as a whole. It starts at the beautiful Ruth Hardy Park.
- The Deepwell Ranch Estate Bike Tour explores a historic neighborhood with great midcentury modern homes and estates. This will give you a more intimate view and has been home to many Hollywood stars, including Jerry Lewis, Carmen Miranda, Loretta Young, and William Holden.
- Pedal Through Palm Springs: A Self-Guided Tour of Midcentury Charm 🚴♀️
Palm Springs Surf Club
The Palm Springs Surf Club offers a state-of-the-art wave pool for surfers of all skill levels, each offering unique challenges and experiences. Surfers can choose from different wave profiles, such as:
- A-Frames
- Rights and Lefts
- Clean Easy Tube
- The Slab
Beyond surfing, it offers resort-style amenities, including:
- Restaurants - The Restaurant
- Event venues
- Water Park
The outdoor waterpark includes fun water slides and a lazy river.
Summer highlight: Perfect for cooling off when desert temperatures soar.
Palm Springs Outdoor Tours
Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours offers a unique, thrilling way to explore the desert landscape with guided tours that provide adventure and stunning views in an open-air jeep. Tours include Indian Canyons, the San Andreas Fault, and Joshua Tree National Park. These make for a great family outdoor adventure.
Palm Springs Historical Society offers several outdoor walking tours for those who enjoy exploring on foot. The tours highlight Palm Springs' stunning midcentury modern architecture, its ties to Hollywood celebrities, and its rich Native American and desert history. For those who like to bike, they also offer a couple of biking tours. Note that the tours do not operate in the summer due to the heat.
Palm Springs Downtown Park
A must-visit is the Palm Springs Downtown Park, a lush, beautifully landscaped space that offers a peaceful retreat amid the desert surroundings. The park is ideal for strolls, with vibrant green lawns, walking paths, and shaded seating areas for relaxing or people-watching. The park’s design is reminiscent of Indian Canyons, with a water feature similar to the Tahquitz Canyon waterfall. Here is a list of all the parks.
Nearby, the iconic Forever Marilyn statue, a tribute to the legendary actress, stands tall in all her glamorous glory. The larger-than-life sculpture, designed by artist Seward Johnson, captures Marilyn’s famous pose from The Seven Year Itch and has become a beloved city symbol where she was discovered.
Bonus: It’s an excellent spot for social media photos and videos.
Palm Springs Golf Courses
Palm Springs offers some of the most scenic and historic golf experiences in the desert, with Escena, Tahquitz Creek, and Indian Canyons standing out as must-play courses for visitors looking to enjoy the outdoors.
Escena Golf Club
- Design & Setting: An 18-hole, par 72 championship course designed by Nicklaus Design, stretching over 7,200 yards.
- Atmosphere: Known for its midcentury modern clubhouse, wide fairways, and unobstructed views of the San Jacinto Mountains.
- Recognition: Rated as the #6 public course in California by the PGA TOUR online.
- Extras: The Escena Lounge & Grill offers acclaimed California cuisine, making it as much a dining destination as a golf outing.
Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort
Features two distinct 18-hole championship courses:
- Legend Course – A traditional, tree-lined layout dating back to the 1950s, with narrow fairways and over 40 bunkers.
- Resort Course – Designed by Ted Robinson in 1995, offering a modern desert-links style with rolling terrain, water features, and dramatic mountain views.
Recognition: Rated by Golf Digest as “One of the Best Places to Play."
Indian Canyons Golf Resort
Established in 1961, initially the Canyon Country Club, it was a favorite of Hollywood icons like Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope, as well as U.S. Presidents Eisenhower, Johnson, and Reagan.
- South Course – Redesigned in 2004 by Casey O’Callaghan and LPGA Hall of Famer Amy Alcott, offering a more forgiving layout.
- North Course – A classic design with challenging play and sweeping mountain views.
Setting: Spread across 550 acres of tribal land, surrounded by colorful mountain vistas and sheltered from desert winds.
Legacy: A true Palm Springs landmark, blending history, celebrity culture, and natural beauty.
Learn More: Best Golf Courses in Palm Springs
Pickleball
For those who have caught the Pickleball craze, you’re in luck. Palm Springs has several Pickleball courts as well as tennis and basketball courts.
Looking for more things to do in Palm Springs? Check out the events calendar for the latest buzz around town and discover upcoming outdoor adventures, shows, signature events, and local happenings. There’s always something new to experience in Palm Springs.
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