7. Museum Trail
Location: Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument
Hours: 24 hours
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.6 miles
Time: 1–2 hours
Route: Loop
Dogs allowed: No
Who said you have to drop your morning workouts on vacation? Hiking near Palm Springs is always a great way to get your body moving, especially if you pick the Museum Trail. The short trail is your cardio, and you’ll find pull-up bars and dumbbells for weight training at the end of your hike—that is of course if you can still handle it.
8. South Lykken Trail
Location: Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 8.8 miles
Time: 5 hours
Route: Out and back
Dogs allowed: No
Gorgeous views of the Greater Palm Springs appear with every step you take on the South Lykken Trail. This is known as one of Southern California’s coolest hikes thanks to the exceptionally beautiful wildlife. To better enjoy one of the best hikes near Palm Springs, have an early start, lather on mineral-based sunscreen, and bring lots of water—there’s not much shade along the trail.
9. Desert View Trail
Location: Mount San Jacinto State Park
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.5 mile
Time: 1 hour
Route: Loop
Dogs allowed: No
If you think you’re going to get better desert views on any other hike than the Desert View Trail, think again. As one of the best free things to do in Palm Springs, hiking this trail is the perfect way to enjoy the desert without sweating too much. We honestly can’t think of a cuter outdoor date to plan with your boo.