Welcome to Visit Native Palm Springs, your gateway to discovering the rich history, culture, and lasting legacy of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. As the original stewards of the land that is now Palm Springs, the Agua Caliente Tribe has played a vital role in shaping the region’s past and present. This collection of content honors their deep connection to the land, offering insight into their traditions, history, and contributions to the area's unique identity. Explore the stories, landmarks, and experiences that highlight the Tribe’s enduring influence on Palm Springs, making them an essential part of the city's vibrant tourism scene.

The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum is a striking 48,000‑square‑foot cultural center owned and operated by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Opened in late 2023 as the centerpiece of a 5.8‑acre Cultural Plaza, the museum takes its architectural cue from traditional Cahuilla basket‑weaving, with a curved façade symbolizing the "basket start" coil.

Inside, visitors are welcomed into “Our Home,” the first of five immersive exhibition areas in the permanent gallery, featuring a 12‑minute 360° Creation & Migration animation in a longhouse‑style theater. Subsequent galleries explore ancestral homelands like Indian and Tahquitz Canyons, showcase ceremonial objects—including baskets, ollas, and beaded garments—and present a visual timeline of colonization, adaptation, and tribal sovereignty. The final gallery highlights prehistoric artifacts discovered during construction—manos, metates, and projectile points dating back as far as 8,000 years.

Indian Canyon and Tahquitz Canyon are two of the most scenic and culturally important places to explore in Palm Springs. Located just minutes from downtown in the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains, these canyons are part of the ancestral lands of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. Indian Canyons—made up of Palm, Andreas, and Murray Canyons—feature lush palm groves, flowing streams, and ancient rock mortars once used for food preparation.

Tahquitz Canyon is known for its rugged beauty and a stunning seasonal 60-foot waterfall that flows into a clear pool. It’s also a sacred place in Cahuilla legend, home to the spirit of Tahquitz. Both areas offer easy-to-follow trails and a deep connection to the land’s history and culture.