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Nature reserve · Indio, California
Coachella Valley Preserve
A protected area along the Indio Hills, featuring palm oases along a geological fault and trails of varying difficulty.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Coachella Valley Preserve
The Coachella Valley Preserve protects a strip of desert at the foot of the Indio Hills, north of Thousand Palms, where the San Andreas Fault traps groundwater. Along the fault, that water sustains oases of Washingtonia filifera, the California fan palm, which form green bands at the base of the hills.
The heart of the preserve is the Thousand Palms Oasis. The Palm House is a cabin built with palm trunks in the 1930s by Paul Wilhelm, who lived in the oasis and welcomed visitors. The reserve’s ponds are home to the desert pupfish, a small desert fish that is threatened with extinction.
The preserve has dozens of kilometers of trails. The McCallum Oasis and Indian Palms trails are easy; Hidden Palms and Moon Country are moderate, crossing dry washes and light-colored rock hills; the Pushawalla Palms trail is the most difficult.
The area is managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Center for Natural Lands Management. The Coachella Valley fringe-toed lizard, an endangered species, lives in the region’s sand dunes and is protected in restricted-access areas.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 1 to 3 hours, depending on the trail.
Best time
Early, from October to April. Access to the oasis and trails depends on the preserve’s open days; confirm before you go.
How to get there
It’s on Thousand Palms Canyon Road, north of Thousand Palms, about 25 km by road northwest of downtown Indio. From I‑10, take the Ramon Road exit and head north on Thousand Palms Canyon Road.
Tip
Bring plenty of water and a hat: the longer trails cross sand and dry washes with no shade. Confirm access days before you leave.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Coachella Valley Preserve
Why are there palms in the middle of the desert in Thousand Palms?
The geological fault acts as a barrier and causes groundwater to come to the surface. Where there is water, the native fan palms grow.
Which is the easiest trail in the Coachella Valley Preserve?
The short route in the Thousand Palms Oasis and the walk to McCallum Oasis. Confirm accessible sections and the preserve’s open days before you go.
Does the Coachella Valley Preserve open in summer?
There is access on days determined by the preserve, including during the hot months. Confirm open days before you go and, in heat, hike in the earliest hours of the day.