We spent an afternoon at Indian Canyons and found just what we wanted: easy hikes, enormous palms along flowing streams, perfect picture- taking spots. We are in our 70's, and Indian Canyons was a great place for one of us to sit and enjoy the desert while the other took the hikes and the photos. We started at the Trading Post site and drove back (near the entrance) to Andreas Canyon. Clearly, however, there is more serious hiking available for those who wish. This is a spot for all ages (children were having lots of fun) and all fitness levels. My only complaint was that, for the first-timer, the brochure wasn't very helpful. Suggested hikes for different levels would be good. And, the driving signage was too small. Fortunately, the Trading Post staff and a ranger gave us the info we needed.

This place is pretty amazing! We drove in and paid the $12 per person to get in to the park. Once on the trails the environment was amazing! It seemed like an oasis in the middle of nowhere. It was cool to drive in and be able to see the stream running and palm trees lining the creek’s shoreline. We learned there are a multitude of different trails, varying in levels of difficulty. We did a shorter loop and only did about 3 miles with different difficulty levels. Just a breathtaking amazing change to the typical landscape of the area.

Our Red Jeep guide recommended the hiking at Indian Canyons and we were so glad we took him up on it. We only had time for one hike and he’d recommended the Andreas Canyon Trail, so that’s the one we took. It’s about a mile loop and takes you along the canyon ridge through the desert oasis and back down the other side. There’s some moderate climbing, but it is breathtakingly beautiful in the oasis. Some other hikers we passed did see some snakes along the trail and warned us, for which we were thankful, but we didn’t end us seeing any ourselves. We did see a lot of lizards, which was fun—they’re fast little things. The lady at the entrance station was quite rude to us when we drove up, which was disappointing. And I will say that we thought the entrance price was high—way more than most of the national parks charge and they will not accept a national park pass to enter as many state parks will. We had understood, or misunderstood, rather, that it was $12/vehicle—it’s actually $12 per person, which made it almost $50 for our car passengers to enter.

We came here on a Sunday morning in March. It was a beautiful day and the hiking was fantastic. We did the Murray canyon hike to the waterfall and part of the Palm hike. All in all, we did over 6 miles of hiking. The Murray trail had a lot of crossing back and forth over a stream so if you don’t feel comfortable doing that, it is not the trail for you. The palms are beautiful and the trail was fun. The Palm trail was a sharp decline to get down to it but it was a short decline and then mostly flat at least where we were. I wish we could have spent more time there and gone further on the trails but we sadly had other things to get to. When we left around 1pm, there was a line of 30 cars to get in so come early. Entry is $12 per person unfortunately but well worth it.

During our week in Southern California, we visited 3 National Parks, but the best hiking of the trip was here in the Indian Canyons. When you hear the name Palm Springs, this is the natural occurrence that gives the name. We saw one of these natural oases in JTNP, but the size and beauty of the oasis here is so much more impressive. However, the hiking here which links stretches in the oasis with stretches in the hills provides incredible contrast. One of my friends I hiked with said it was like hiking in Hawaii (in the oasis), then Arizona (the desert hills) and to look up at Colorado (the snow-capped San Jacinto Peak). While the palm oasis is amazing, these hikes are more as the desert here was amazing in the spring, so many cacti in bloom. All this time you are hiking in the shadows of the high San Jacinto mountains, especially San Jacinto Peak which was snow-capped for our visit. Yes, it cost to visit tribal land and yes, it can be crowded. However, there is a reason as this has some of the best hiking. You will not be disappointed by a visit here. Simply the desert or oasis trails would be impressive on their own, but you will get both. Another unique treat is the entrance to the canyons where the road in and out is a single car lane going between the canyon wall and bolder along the creek. Anyways all of it will add up to the best experience in the Palm Springs area. I cannot recommend the hiking here more.

It gets a little confusing with all the canyons in the Palm Springs area, but the Andreas Canyon is part of a group of canyons known collectively as the Indian Canyons. The Andreas Canyon Trail is the easiest and shortest of the trails. And the first half is in a lot of shade. The Andreas Canyon trail follows a creek that has allowed a lot of large palm trees to grow, hence the shade. And while the trail is “easy”, it is not recommended at all for those with mobility issues - this isn’t a paved walkway! Go in the morning as Palm Springs gets hot hot hot! And bring water.

Great place. Beautiful & scenic. Trails maintained well. Very clean. Saw bighorn sheep. Weather was great. Palm trees provide shaded areas & many places to picnic. Plan on going back to hike other trails and the up to the waterfall. Restrooms available. 3 canyons total. Andreas, Murray & Palm. We hiked palm canyon. Plenty of parking. Trading post with native American items & nice little snack stand that sells cold drinks, and treats, etc. We did run into one rattlesnake on the trail, so just be aware. Highly recommend! Great place! Absolutely gorgeous & unique!

We pre-purchased our entrance fee online to make our arrival more efficient. We brought our steel gym bottles filled with water, a few water bottles, and some ice in the hotel ice bucket so we could refresh our steel gym bottles with ice and water when we ran out. We arrived in the morning to try to beat some of the afternoon sun/heat and crowds. There is ample parking if you go early enough, but lots do get full. We spent approximately 3.5 to 4 hours hiking and enjoying the huge palm trees, beautiful views, and creeks/streams along our hikes. TIPS: Go early. Bring lots of cold water.