Discover the Native Roots of Palm Springs: The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians

Long before Palm Springs became a world-class resort destination, it was—and remains—the homeland of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. For thousands of years, the Tribe has lived in harmony with the desert, drawing life from the sacred Agua Caliente Hot Mineral Spring and caring for the rich natural resources of the Agua Caliente Indian Canyons. Their deep cultural traditions, oral histories, and stewardship of the land continue to shape the character and spirit of Palm Springs today.

The Spa at Sec-he Wellness Experience

Visitors can explore this living heritage at attractions like the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, hike breathtaking trails in Indian Canyons, and learn how the Tribe’s history intertwines with the city’s development. This page will guide you through the Tribe’s origins, historical milestones, cultural landmarks, and ongoing contributions—offering a deeper understanding of Palm Springs’ true native roots.

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.

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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.

Welcome to the Tahquitz Canyon Visitor Center

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Palm Canyon: Exploring the World's Largest Reserve of Desert Fan Palms