• Chuckwalla Trail Hike

    Rancho Mirage City Hall Parking Lot 69825 California 111, Rancho Mirage, CA, United States

    This trail meanders through the rolling foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains above Rancho Mirage and Cathedral Canyon. You may see a few wildflowers along the trail. There are many other unique desert plants. You will learn about their adaptations to the desert and summertime survival techniques. Our volunteer docents will share information about the […]

  • Randall Henderson Interpretative Hike – Full Trail

    Randall Henderson Trailhead 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

    Our Friends’ volunteer docent will take you on a guided hike through the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument! You will see excellent views of the Coachella Valley and learn the history of the area. You will see many unique desert plants and learn how they survive the long hot summers. There are […]

  • Birding Walk-About, Desert Willow

    Desert Willow Golf Resort 38-995 Desert Willow Drive, Palm Desert, CA, United States

    Grab your binoculars and join a Friends’ volunteer docent birding expert to look for our feathered desert residents. In this unique urban area, we are still able to find a little native desert environment surrounded by local trees and shrubs that many of our feathered friends call home. As you walk the perimeter of an […]

  • Art Smith Trail Hike

    Art Smith Trail Parking Lot Art Smith Trailhead, Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

    Join a guided hike through the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument! You will have excellent views of the Coachella Valley and learn some of the local history. You will see many unique desert plants and learn how they survive the long hot summers. There are lizards and animals on the trail including […]

  • Tortoise Chat

    Tortoise Chat
    Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

    Have questions about desert tortoises? Come visit our desert tortoise enclosure and learn about conservation efforts to study and protect our wild desert tortoise population in the Monument. Meet at the tortoise enclosure any time between 12pm – 2pm. NO RESERVATION REQUIRED. For more information contact Friends of the Desert Mountains 760-568-9918 or the Visitor […]

  • Junior Ranger Day at the National Monument

    Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

    Learn about our desert through hands-on activities that explore the land, animals, and plants. After completing six challenges, you’ll earn your Junior Ranger Badge! This program is suited for ages 8 to 18, and tickets should be in the youths’ name. For more information contact Friends of the Desert Mountains 760-568-9918 or the Visitor Center […]

    Free
  • Star Party at the Monument

    Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

    Join members of the Astronomical Society of the Desert for fun “sky tours” and direct observations of the night sky through telescopes and binoculars. This is a family event. Minors must be accompanied by parent or guardian. This event is wheelchair accessible with asphalt surfaces. Etiquette: please do not touch equipment unless requested. No white […]

  • Wildflowers – How do they Survive in a Desert? Randall Henderson Interpretative Hike

    Randall Henderson Trailhead 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

    Not every year in the desert produces a super bloom. So how do the seeds of these beautiful wildflowers survive years of drought as they wait for the combination of rain and warmth? A volunteer docent will talk about the seed bank, the differences between annuals and perennials, and some of the extraordinary adaptations of […]

  • Birding Walk-About at the Monument Visitor Center

    Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

    Our experienced Friends’ birding volunteer docent will share interesting facts about the Coachella Valley native species and other migratory birds found in the National Monument. We begin the search for our feathered friends in their native desert habitat at the new observation area. Then onto the Ed Hastey Garden Walk (paved) and tortoise habitat areas. […]

  • Birding Walk-About, Desert Willow

    Desert Willow Golf Resort 38-995 Desert Willow Drive, Palm Desert, CA, United States

    Grab your binoculars and join a Friends’ volunteer docent birding expert to look for our feathered desert residents. In this unique urban area, we are still able to find a little native desert environment surrounded by local trees and shrubs that many of our feathered friends call home. As you walk the perimeter of an […]

  • Earl Henderson Trail Hike

    Earl Henderson Trail Bogert Trail at Barona Rd, Palm Springs, CA, United States

    Enjoy this easy hike along the hillside above Araby Wash. Explore the wonders of this critical habitat area to learn about the endangered Casey’s June Beetle and fire ecology in this sensitive habitat area. On our return loop, we will wander down into the wash to checkout a few desert plants. Sorry, no dogs allowed […]

  • Nature Walk at Blixseth Park

    Blixseth Mountain Park Mirage Road, Rancho Mirage, CA, United States

    Join our Friends’ volunteer docents for a nature walk in Blixseth Mountain Park. The Park features both native and non-native desert landscape, a wide walking path with benches for observing desert vistas, plants, and mountains. We will share fun facts about desert flora and fauna as well as interesting information about the Native Cahuilla people. […]

  • Randall Henderson Interpretative Hike – Full Trail

    Randall Henderson Trailhead 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

    Our Friends’ volunteer docent will take you on a guided hike through the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument! You will see excellent views of the Coachella Valley and learn the history of the area. You will see many unique desert plants and learn how they survive the long hot summers. There are […]

  • Friends & Volunteers 2026 Kick-Off BBQ

    Friends of the Desert Mountains 51500 California 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

    We’re excited to kick off the year by gathering together with our amazing volunteer crew for some good food, great company, and plenty of laughs! Let’s celebrate all that’s ahead and enjoy a relaxed BBQ together. We’ll be providing hot dogs, hamburgers, and veggie burgers—just bring your favorite side dish to share and your appetite! […]

  • The Grottos Trail via Sheep Hole Oasis and Hidden Springs Oasis

    Box Canyon Road at Mecca Hills Grotto Trailhead Box Canyon Road, Mecca, CA, United States

    Join us on this guided hike in the Mecca Hills Wilderness area and Chuckwalla National Monument. The Mecca Grotto hike is classified as strenuous: 5.75 miles with an elevation gain of over 800 feet. Unfortunately, the Mecca grotto collapsed several years ago, so this hike leads us to the towering canyon where the Grotto entrance previously […]

  • Ed Hastey Garden Walk

    Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

    Enjoy strolling the Ed Hastey Garden Walk led by Friends’ volunteer docent. It is a great introduction to learn about native plants and animals that inhabit our desert, and the value of urban conservation. This short, easy walk is suitable for persons of all ages and abilities with a paved 3-foot-wide path. All topics are […]

  • Rancho Mirage-Chuckwalla Trail Full Moon Hike

    Rancho Mirage City Hall Parking Lot 69825 California 111, Rancho Mirage, CA, United States

    Grab your hiking boots and join Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer docents on a full moon hike on the lower portion of the Chuckwalla Trail. You will experience the views of our desert mountains in the amazing wash of moonlight and shadows, as well as the urban night lights of the Coachella Valley. This […]

  • Rancho Mirage-Jackrabbit/Bighorn Overlook Trail Full Moon Hike

    Rancho Mirage City Hall Parking Lot 69825 California 111, Rancho Mirage, CA, United States

    Join Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer docents on a full moon hike on the Jackrabbit/Bighorn Overlook trail loop. You will experience the views of our desert mountains in the amazing wash of moonlight and shadows, as well as the urban night lights of the Coachella Valley. This is a family friendly easy 1-mile hike […]

  • Public Lands Day with City of Palm Desert

    Homme Adams Park 72500 Thrush Road, Palm Desert, CA, United States

    Roll up your sleeves and make a difference with Friends of the Desert Mountains and the City of Palm Desert at a community cleanup you won’t want to miss! We’ll kick things off at 8 AM with a special bench dedication in loving memory of Buford Crites. Then it’s time to get our hands dirty (in a good way!) […]

  • Who Made That Hole? Randall Henderson Interpretative Hike

    Randall Henderson Trailhead 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

    As you walk the desert trails, have you noticed the holes and wondered who made them? Explore the Randall Henderson Trail with our volunteer docent leaders to learn the difference between burrows and holes, and the importance of these to the delicate balance of the environment. We will be looking for clues as to the […]

  • La Quinta Full Moon Hike

    La Quinta Cove Trails Parking Lot Calle Tecate & Avenida Bermudas, La Quinta, CA, United States

    Experience a hike by moonlight! See the beauty of the shadows and wash of moonlight over our mountains. We will be looking for all types of night creatures along the trail. Our astronomers will have their telescope set-up to view the night sky. This is a family friendly easy 3-mile loop hike with 150 feet […]

  • Night Sky Star Observations – La Quinta

    La Quinta Cove Trails Parking Lot Calle Tecate & Avenida Bermudas, La Quinta, CA, United States

    Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer astronomers will be setting up their telescopes and are inviting you to their “star party”. A clear night sky offers an ever-changing display of fascinating objects to see — stars, constellations, bright planets, a full moon, and sometimes special events like meteor showers or an eclipse. While observing the […]

  • Birding Walk-About, Desert Willow

    Desert Willow Golf Resort 38-995 Desert Willow Drive, Palm Desert, CA, United States

    Grab your binoculars and join a Friends’ volunteer docent birding expert to look for our feathered desert residents. In this unique urban area, we are still able to find a little native desert environment surrounded by local trees and shrubs that many of our feathered friends call home. As you walk the perimeter of an […]

  • Indio Badlands Trail Full Moon Hike

    Indio Hills Badlands Trail Golf Center Parkway, Indio, CA, United States

    Strap on your hiking boots for a full moon hike on the first mile of the Indio Badlands Trail. As we embark on this hike, the moonlight casts enchanting shadows on the desert terrain. The sky will be brilliantly lit up for the desert creatures to be scurrying about. This family-friendly adventure offers a manageable […]

  • CANCELLED: Night Sky Star Observations in Indio Hills – CANCELADO: Vistazo de Estrellas en Indio

    Indio Hills Badlands Trail Golf Center Parkway, Indio, CA, United States

    THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED. ESTE EVENTO HA SIDO CANCELADO.   A Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer astronomer will be setting up a telescope and is inviting you to a “star party”. A clear night sky offers an ever-changing display of fascinating objects to see — stars, constellations, bright planets, a full moon, and […]

  • Excursión Bajo la Luna Llena en el Sendero Indio Hills

    Indio Hills Badlands Trail Golf Center Parkway, Indio, CA, United States

    Póngase las botas de montaña para una caminata bajo la luna llena en el sendero Indio Hills. Mientras nos embarcamos en esta caminata, la luz de la luna proyecta sombras encantadoras sobre el terreno desértico. El cielo estará brillantemente iluminado para que las criaturas del desierto puedan corretear. Esta aventura familiar ofrece una caminata manejable […]

  • McManus Trail Hike

    McManus Trailhead, Palm Hills Road, Palm Springs, CA Palm Hills Road, Palm Springs, CA, United States

    A 3 mile out-and-back trail near Cathedral City. This is a popular trail to the Goat Trails area, but you can still enjoy some solitude during a quieter time of the day. Trail is moderately difficult. Sorry, no dogs allowed. Bring 2 liters of water, snacks, wear closed-toed shoes, a sun hat and sunscreen. Hiking […]

  • Volunteer Lecture Series: From Designation to Preservation – How BLM Protects Our Public Lands

    Friends of the Desert Mountains 51500 California 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

    This upcoming volunteer lecture will highlight the Bureau of Land Management’s vital role in conservation and land stewardship, with a special focus on the establishment of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. Our guest speaker, Jim Foote, former Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Manager, will share his firsthand experience […]

  • Randall Henderson Interpretative Hike

    Randall Henderson Trailhead 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

    Our Friends’ volunteer docent will take you on a guided hike through the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument! You will see excellent views of the Coachella Valley and learn the history of the area. You will see many unique desert plants and learn how they survive the long hot summers. There are […]

  • Yoga with a Ranger

    Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, United States

    Join a National Monument park ranger for an outdoor fun yoga flow for all skill levels. Connect with the landscape through a sequence of physical postures, movements, and breathing techniques that also strengthen your body and mind. Poses commonly mimic Earth, animals and trees. This outdoor activity is routinely performed barefoot. Bring a yoga mat […]

    Free