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You are here: Home / Wanderlust / Andreas Canyon, An Easy Desert Hike In Palm Springs, California

Andreas Canyon, An Easy Desert Hike In Palm Springs, California

In: Wanderlust

Palm Trees lining a desert oasis in Palm Springs
A palm oasis surrounding Andreas Creek

One evening during a trip to Palm Springs my in-laws drove up to meet up with us for a couple of hours and we decided to go on an easy hike to Andreas Canyon within Indian Canyons located on the outskirts of town. We had a full evening planned so we opted to take the easiest hike through the Andreas Trailhead. Surrounded by harsh desert this was truly an oasis of unusual, alike-like landscapes and a great hike when you have limited time. 

The Andreas Trailhead is a 1.2-mile loop trail following Andreas Creek.

Park Signage for Indian Canyon Palm Springs
Park signage at the entrance

Alien-Like Rock Formations in Andreas Canyon

Alien like rock formations in Palm Springs Indian Canyons
Alien like rock formations in Palm Springs Indian Canyons

One evening during a trip to Palm Springs my inlaws drove up to meet up with us for a couple of hours and we decided to go on a hike to Indian Canyon located on the outskirts of town. We had a full evening planned so we opted to take the easiest hike through the Andreas Trailhead. Surrounded by harsh desert this was truly an oasis of unusual, alike-like landscapes and a great hike when you have limited time. 

Alien like rock formations in Palm Springs Indian Canyons
Millions of years of rock formation

Planning a trip to Palm Springs? Check out my post on Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium, a must-visit destination.

Alien like rock formations in Palm Springs Indian Canyons
A cholla cactus grows on a large rock formation

Andreas Canyon An Oasis In The Desert

Andreas Creek
Palms surrounding Andreas Creek
Andreas Creek And California Fan Palms

The Andreas Trailhead is a 1.2-mile loop trail following Andreas Creek which makes its way through this trailhead and is responsible for this small oasis in the middle of the desert. Once home to the Cahuilla people, you can still see bedrock mortars and metates used hundreds of years ago to prepare food. 

The Andreas Canyon Trail was a fairly easy hike to navigate and my father-in-law was able to navigate most of it with his cane. We didn’t do the full loop, stopping at some point before you would have to cross the creek and return the way we came. 

Our walk was relatively light on critters and birds. You can hear them but we didn’t really see any flying around. We did come across a little lizard along our walk but did not see other critters I’ve read warnings about from spiders to rattlesnakes.

Check out my post A Perfect November Day in Joshua Tree National Park to see more incredible desert landscapes while in Palm Springs.

An easy hike through Andreas Canyon
My hiking crew making their way through the trail

Man walking through palms in Indian Canyon Palm Springs
My husband exploring the canyon

As you walk through the rocky trail you are surrounded by strange-looking rock formations on one side, and a mix of California fan palms, willows, Cottonwoods, sycamores, and the Andreas Creek on the other. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places this unique hike gives you a glimpse of what life was like for the first people who lived here. The Andreas Canyon also has the world’s second-largest California fan palm oasis.

Palm Tree meets the canyon
Woman walking through canyon and palms in Indian Canyons Palm Springs
Mother-in-law making her way through the trail

Desert Life You May Find

Lizard on patterned rock in Indian Canyons Palm Springs
Little lizard spotted on the trail

A lizard And A Tarantula

At the end of our hike I heard someone shout “tarantula!” and to my surprise, I ran… towards the shouting voice. I am not a spider person but there was something so intriguing about seeing one in person in the wild. It’s always exciting when you come across unique wildlife while exploring the great outdoors. We also spotted a teeny little lizard along the trail which was actually the only life form we saw on the trail. I’ve read you could come across rattlesnakes and other critters so be cautious where you step.

If you love the desert and canyons, check out my post on A Day In Grand Canyon National Park for more desert eye candy.

A tarantula on a rock

Know Before You Go

Andreas Canyon is the easiest and shortest hike according to their website but you will still encounter some steps, rocky ground, and elevation. Wear hiking shoes and dress appropriately for the desert. You may encounter various wildlife like lizards and spiders as seen above. 

It cost $9 per adult for entry and hours run 8 am-5 pm. Visit their website for more specific information on operating days and hours. 

Details

Trail Name: Andreas
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 200 Ft.
Distance: 1.2 Mile Loop
Visit the website for the most up-to-date details: visit the site

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Hiking the Andreas Canyon Palm Springs

· In: Wanderlust · Tagged: Andreas Canyon, California, Desert, Hiking, Palm Springs

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Hey there, I'm Jen! Photographer and blogger behind Local Love and Wanderlust, a place where I share all things Cleveland, Ohio, travel, and lifestyle.

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Did you know there is a book-themed brewery in Cle Did you know there is a book-themed brewery in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood? Bookhouse Brewing, a local brewery making ciders and beers in a historic building from the 1800’s previously owned by the Baehr family-read more on Bookhouse’s website about previous occupants and the interesting history. Lots of original details can be seen throughout the brewery, too. Definitely worth a visit when in town, it’s in the heart of one of the most popular Cleveland neighborhoods and minutes from Downtown Cleveland. In fact, due to a new park being built along the Cuyahoga River nearby, the brewery has an amazing view of downtown due to some buildings being taken down. Killer views, amazing interior aesthetic, and great beers (and other drinks for us non-beer drinkers!)

Check out my travel guides on the blog for more on the historic Ohio City neighborhood.
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#clevelandohio #thisiscle #bookhousebrewing #ohiocity #brewery #hellofrom #ohio #travelblogger #hingetown
National Park week starts tomorrow and park fees w National Park week starts tomorrow and park fees will be waived! What park will you celebrate National Park week at?

I live near Cuyahoga Valley National Park which doesn’t have any entry fees but is always a fun adventure!
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Nothing like nature for the ultimate reset. . . . Nothing like nature for the ultimate reset. 
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Valley of Fire State Park… we only had a couple Valley of Fire State Park… we only had a couple hours here but I could have spent a couple days exploring. The colors, the views, the epic desert road into the horizon photo ops. Incredible. 100% worth the 45 minute drive from Las Vegas.
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Added a new National Park to our list last week. W Added a new National Park to our list last week. While in Vegas we spent a day at Death Valley National Park. A beautiful, strange, desolate and unique landscape full of color and texture. I can see why they chose to film Star Wars here!
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