Description: Come out to celebrate the Monument’s 26th anniversary with a special hike lead by the Monument Manager for the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. Join her on a hike on the spectacular Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail and learn about some of the epic resources unique to the Monument! Overview: This […]

Description: Strap on your hiking boots for a family-friendly 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. Overview: This easy hike […]

While the brilliant moonlight means the faintest, most distant galaxies will take a back seat tonight, it opens the door to a completely different astronomical spectacle. Our volunteer astronomers will turn their high-powered telescopes toward the Moon itself to explore its dramatic craters, mountain peaks, and ancient lava plains in stunning detail. You will enjoy […]

We are excited to announce Full Moon Hikes in Palm Desert! There will be four different hikes offered, please read each description carefully and select the trail best for your skill level. Homestead Trail: (MODERATE; for Experienced Hikers) This hike has full moon shadows beginning with the Homestead Trailhead, to the Hopalong Cassidy Trail, as […]

Description: Carrizo Canyon is open October through December and this docent led hike takes you into a canyon that provides a chance to see the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and other desert critters. Learn about the geology of the area and a great outdoor experience close to downtown Palm Desert. Overview: This easy hike (Rating below […]

Celebrate Bat Week and learn about one of the most amazing mammals on the planet…BATS! These critters are incredible wonders of nature that represent nearly a quarter of all species on the planet. Come to learn about local bat species, the important role they play in keeping our ecosystems thriving and healthy, and much more! […]

Description: 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. […]

Description: Join us on this family friendly hike of 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. Overview: This easy hike (Rating below 50) is generally suitable for anyone who […]

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 […]

Description: 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 hike. Overview: This easy hike (Rating […]

While the brilliant moonlight means the faintest, most distant galaxies will take a back seat tonight, it opens the door to a completely different astronomical spectacle. Our volunteer astronomers will turn their high-powered telescopes toward the Moon itself to explore its dramatic craters, mountain peaks, and ancient lava plains in stunning detail. You will enjoy […]

Description: Carrizo Canyon is open October through December and this docent led hike takes you into a canyon that provides a chance to see the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and other desert critters. Learn about the geology of the area and a great outdoor experience close to downtown Palm Desert. Overview: This easy hike (Rating below […]

Description: Join our volunteers for a unique hiking experience in the Magnesia Spring Ecological Canyon trail. Magnesia Canyon is only open from October through December and provides wonderful opportunities to see the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and many other desert critters.  The dramatic canyon walls tell their own story of how rain events have shaped […]

Be a Bat Hero, Super Hero Bat Walk! Explore the desert and learn about the super powers of bats! We will be checking the desert for all creatures large and small. Bring a flashlight, a blacklight (if you have one) and water for an easy walk. The best super hero bat costume gets a prize! […]

Description: Carrizo Canyon is open October through December and this docent led hike takes you into a canyon that provides a chance to see the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and other desert critters. Learn about the geology of the area and a great outdoor experience close to downtown Palm Desert. Overview: This easy hike (Rating below […]

Description: 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 check out a few desert plants. Overview: This […]

Description: Carrizo Canyon is open October through December and this docent led hike takes you into a canyon that provides a chance to see the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and other desert critters. Learn about the geology of the area and a great outdoor experience close to downtown Palm Desert. Overview: This easy hike (Rating below […]

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 […]

Description: Dead Indian Canyon is only open from October through December and provides wonderful opportunities to see the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and many other desert critters. You will learn about the geology of the area and a great outdoor experience close to downtown Palm Desert. For this special hike, we will climb all the […]

Come visit our adopted desert tortoise and get answers to your questions about our charming state reptile. We will also be hosting a story time nearby and reading the bi-lingual book, “The Tortoise and the Jackrabbit”; the first 70 visitors each day will even get a free copy of the book to take home in […]

Calling All Nature Lovers & Community Champions! Are you passionate about protecting our beautiful desert landscapes? Do you love hiking, wildlife, or simply giving back to your community? Friends of the Desert Mountains needs YOU! We’re looking for enthusiastic, dedicated volunteers to help us preserve the natural wonders of the Coachella Valley. Whether you’re a […]

Join us at our monthly Desert Mountains Art Fair! Mediums may include photography, paintings, ceramics, hand painted silks, and more. Support local artists and find beautiful and unique gifts and desert mementos, all while enjoying the natural beauty of our desert mountains! For more information contact the Visitor Center at 760-862-9984 or Friends of the […]

Welcome Back, Volunteers! As we gear up for another amazing season, we’re inviting all returning Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteers to join us for a mandatory orientation session. Why Attend? Get the latest updates on our programs and projects *IMPORTANT* Brush up on best practices and volunteer guidelines Sign your updated volunteer paperwork for […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 on the Randall Henderson Trail into the lower sandy wash. We circle back and walk to the […]

Description: Carrizo Canyon is open October through December and this docent led hike takes you into a canyon that provides a chance to see the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and other desert critters. Learn about the geology of the area and a great outdoor experience close to downtown Palm Desert. Overview: This easy hike (Rating below […]

Description: Dead Indian canyon is only open from October through December and provides wonderful opportunities to see the endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep and many other desert critters. You will learn about the geology of the area and a great outdoor experience close to downtown Palm Desert. Overview: This easy hike (Rating below 50) is generally […]

Come visit our adopted desert tortoise and get answers to your questions about our charming state reptile. We will also be hosting a story time nearby and reading the bi-lingual book, “The Tortoise and the Jackrabbit”; the first 70 visitors each day will even get a free copy of the book to take home in […]

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 […]