On a Sunday afternoon, we found an amazing hike in Palm Springs. Although hiking in Palm Springs during the summer can be extremely dangerous, hiking in the winter can be perfect. We chose to hike Murray Canyon trail to Seven Falls.
Indian Canyons
We decided to hike in Indian Canyons. This is private land owned by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. During the winter the area is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The address is 38520 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs. There is a fee per person to enter. Adults are $12, children $6, and horses $11. Dogs are not allowed. Before heading here I suggest looking at their website.
Hiking in the Desert Can be Dangerous
You should allows have the following items with you.
- Water/electrolytes
- First Aid Kit
- Flashlight
- GPS/cell phone
- Signal mirror
- Whistle
- Poncho
- Pocket Knife
- Compass
- Snacks/food
- Sunscreen/chapstick
- sunglasses/hat
In addition, when hiking in the desert it is better to dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes. It is highly possible that you will see a snake and it’s safe to assume all snakes are dangerous. Be mindful of where you put your hands and feet. In the desert, it’s important to know the symptoms of heat-related illness.
Parking
After paying at the entrance we drove to the Murray Canyon parking lot. The lot is dirt and there are plenty of parking spaces. There are two port-a-potties in the parking lot.
Murray Canyon to Seven Falls
From the parking lot to the end of the trail it is approximately 2 miles each way. Most of the trail is easy, however, there are a few moderate sections. The trail itself is mostly sand or compacted dirt. You will be walking along the stream the whole time. Be prepared to get your shoes wet.
A Steep Section
About 1.5 miles into the hike there is a a steep section. If you have poles this would be a good section to use them. We didn’t have any poles and we just took our time. After passing a group of hikers on the way down they informed us, “That trail is treacherous and we’re lucky we made it down.” Luckily, that was a bit of an exaggeration and we just took our time and were fine.
Horseback Riding in Murray Canyon
Murray Canyon is a popular location for horseback riding. There is plenty of space for parking a trailer in the lot. In addition, there is a hitching post near the end of the trail. It’s a perfect spot to leave your horse before the trail gets too steep. Remember trail etiquette and allow the horses to pass safely first. Horses always have the right of way.
A Hike to an Oasis
Murray Canyon was an amazing hike to a desert oasis. We enjoyed our time in the desert. It was winter so the water was a little too cold to go in, but it was relaxing hiking next to the stream. We saw lizards and birds, but unfortunately, we didn’t see any Big Horn Sheep. We saw signs that they were in the area. I highly recommend this hike if you are in the Palm Springs area and it’s not the middle of the summer.
