Enjoy Palm Desert Outdoors – and Protect the Environment.

Want to get in touch with nature without disrupting a thing? Palm Desert is your stop for outdoor recreation that’s easy on our ecosystem, but still exciting and exhilarating. From hiking trails to road bike tours – and even a trip in a hot air balloon – there are plenty of ways to get in touch with nature, get a great workout and reduce your environmental impact.

Check out just a few of our favorite eco-friendly outdoor adventures for your next Palm Desert vacation.

Hiking, Mountain Biking and Horseback Trails

Start your hike or ride on the Hopalong Cassidy Trail, named for the infamous role of one the most well-known residents in Palm Desert’s history, Western actor William Boyd. Dedicated in 2004, this city-maintained trail features an easy climb or ride, plus plenty of scenic spots to stop along the way.

For a more vigorous climb, check out the Art Smith Trail where you can choose from shorter or longer hikes and rides amongst lush foliage and several palm oases. Or head a bit further into the wild and take a trek in the beautiful Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.

Road Biking Trips

If your idea of a great ride involves more scenic byways than steep climbs, a Palm Desert road biking trip is just what you need. Not only is the city itself perfect for an easy, family-friendly ride, but you’ll also find plenty of longer tours along area highways and scenic routes that are perfect for the avid cyclist.

Sign up for a guided group ride through a number of local cycling companies, so you can tour the Coachella Valley and surrounding hills without worrying about a thing. For details contact the Palm Desert Visitor Center.

Hot Air Balloons

Lift your spirits – literally – with a hot air balloon ride, an eco-friendly way to see the city from above. If you’re an early riser, grab a thermos of coffee and try the sunrise ride, or for a romantic evening, take a sunset balloon tour. Either way, you’ll enjoy enchanting views of the entire Coachella Valley in an unforgettable setting.

For more information and advice for planning your eco-adventure in Palm Desert, contact us.

Parks and Recreation

Want to play a pickup game, go for a walk with Fido or take the kids out for an afternoon of skateboarding? At Palm Desert’s public parks, you can do all those things and more. From tennis courts to dog and skate parks, and even disc golf, the public parks in Palm Desert offer plenty of attractions for visitors and locals alike. You can even take in a performance at Civic Center Park’s friendly outdoor amphitheater – just one of the many amenities at this sprawling 72-acre city park.  For more, visit Palm Desert's city website.

Once you’ve explored Palm Desert’s parks, take a trip outside the city to nearby state and national parks like the stunning Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, located on the south end of the Coachella Valley, where you’ll find one of the steepest mountains in the world. And no visit is complete without a tour of the Joshua Tree National Park, full of gold mining history, 19th century homesteads and of course plenty of distinctive Joshua trees.

When it comes to enjoying the great outdoors, there’s no shortage of parks in Palm Desert and the surrounding area.