While some are drawn to the Coachella Valley in the name of world-class music festivals, others head here to connect with nature at its best. When you’re someone who enjoys hiking your way to fun, setting aside a few hours on your itinerary to explore the Coachella Valley Preserve when you’re in town is a must. Spanning more than 20,000 acres of protected terrain, this preserve also encompasses the 880-acre Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve. Together, they provide travelers with miles of hiking trails to check out and amazing wildlife and plant life to enjoy along the way.
A Place of Stunning Natural Beauty and Vital Conservation
The Coachella Valley Preserve was originally established in the 1980s when it was recognized that endangered plants and animal species specific to the Coachella Valley needed extra safeguards in place if they were to thrive well into the future. Today, the preserve includes several unique and important habitats for visitors to explore including rocky canyons, desert wetlands, sand dunes, and more.
The preserve is split into three distinct sections so you have options to enjoy them all or discover one at a time. The Center for Land Management, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife all play a role in protecting and maintaining the Coachella Valley Preserve.
Activities to Enjoy When You Visit
Hiking is one of the most popular activities to enjoy at the Coachella Valley Preserve with good reason. It’s home to the McCallum Trail which spans 2.5 miles and begins at the Thousand Palms Oasis. You can admire California fan palms along this route and there are opportunities to spot rare bird species including the endangered Southwestern willow flycatcher.
Interpretive signs along the path bring the history of the area to life while potential sightings of the fringe-toed lizard might just have you lingering longer than you originally planned. Guests of the preserve also have the opportunity to explore the boardwalk that runs through the Thousand Palm Oasis when they want to get up close to marshy areas that are fed by the San Andreas Fault.
Plan Your Experience
The Coachella Valley Preserve is located at 29200 Thousand Palms Canyon Road and is situated 17 miles east of Palm Springs. Off-road parking options are available and while there’s no cost to visit the preserve, donations are appreciated and go toward supporting continuing conservation efforts.
Book Your Stay Today
Make more of your La Quinta, California stay in comfort, convenience, and style when you book your vacation accommodations through Legacy Villas. Reach out to our team today to learn more and to start planning your next trip!
