Andreas Canyon is a short distance from downtown Palm Springs, in the foothills of the San Jacinto Mountains. It’s part of the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation, the original inhabitants of this area.
The stunning Andreas Canyon Trail is an easy 1-mile loop that can be completed in 40 minutes. One side of the trail follows a creek along a lush palm filled oasis. The other side of the trail is along an exposed ridge that overlooks the canyon, with plenty of dramatic rock formations.
The trail dead-ends at a fence, where hikers make a creek crossing before the trail loops back. The Andreas Canyon Club is on the other side of the fence, formed in 1923. If you look up, you can see a collection of stone cottages built into the hillside, part of an old camping club.
- Fees: Visitors pay an entrance fee when driving in. This provides access to the three Indian Canyons; Andreas Canyon, Palm Canyon and Murray Canyon. Both Andreas Canyon and Palm Canyon can be accessed from the same parking lot, and Murray Canyon is accessed from the parking lot at the trading post.
- Hours: check opening hours (only open on weekends in the summer, due to the heat).
- Water: It’s required that you bring water.
10 best things to do at the Andreas Canyon Trail
1. Walk the 1-mile loop along Andreas Canyon.
2. Create an artwork of the beautiful Andreas Canyon.
3. Cross the footbridge along the Andreas Canyon Creek.
4. Admire the world’s second largest fan palm oasis.
5. Search for bedrock mortar holes in the rocks, once used for food preparation.
6. Dip your feet in the cool water of Andreas Canyon Creek.
7. Walk in the shade of the secluded Andreas Canyon.
8. Scramble through ancient rocks.
9. See where the Aqua Caliente camped over the long, hot summers.
10. Look up at the stone cottages at the Andreas Canyon Club, formed in 1923.
11. Peer up at the ancient rock formations.
12. Find mini waterfalls along Andreas Creek.
13. Start or finish the Andreas Canyon loop, along the drier side.
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