Tahquitz Canyon is one of the most highly sought-after scenic areas that Palm Springs has to offer, renowned for its incredible beauty and historical importance. Find out more below about why Tahquitz Canyon in Palm Springs is a must-see destination you won’t want to miss.
The Most Popular Canyon in Palm Springs
Located within a handy distance of the downtown area, Tahquitz Canyon offers visitors the unique opportunity to experience the desert environment of Palm Springs.
Compared to the other canyons that make up the Agua Caliente Indian Canyons, Tahquitz Canyon is easygoing and more commercialized. While the commercialized nature of Tahquitz Canyon is unfortunate for those seeking a rugged desert experience (though you can easily travel to any of the adjoining canyons for real desert hiking), it does make this canyon one of the most accessible to visitors of all ages and endurance levels.
In Tahquitz Canyon, you and your guests can find guided and self-guided hikes, Native American rock art and ingenious irrigation ditches engineered centuries ago, pools and small waterfalls, and an immense seasonal waterfall that is the main draw for many visitors. The waterfall is 60 feet tall and once served as the entrance to Shangri-La for the 1937 classic film Lost Horizon. Self-guided hikes to the waterfall are easy and rewarding, especially since they were banned for a number of years until 2005 due to the destruction to the canyon caused by visitors.
The canyon is also home to the visitors’ center for the Agua Caliente Indian Canyons, home to exhibits that are as intriguing as they are informative. The subjects covered here include the natural and cultural history of the region, such as the Native Americans that once lived within the canyons. The facility provides a short film to give you more insight into the hardy people who lived here seasonally and year-round, migrating between the hot springs and the canyon.
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Our team of reservation agents is standing by, ready to lend you their local expertise and help you plan a once in a lifetime vacation in Palm Springs. Call or email our office today and ask for more details on Tahquitz Canyon in Palm Springs and other fantastic landmarks to check out when you reserve your lodgings in one of our magnificent vacation rentals.