• Star Party in the Mountains

    Sawmill Trailhead Parking Lot HGHX+XQG, Pinyon Pines, CA

    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. For more information call 760-862-9984. Etiquette: please do not touch equipment unless requested. No white lights near telescope […]

  • Randall Henderson Interpretative Hike – Partial Trail

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

    WHO MADE THAT HOLE! 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 […]

    Free
  • Randall Henderson Interpretative Hike – Full Trail

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

    WHO MADE THAT HOLE! 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 […]

    Free
  • 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 on the sidewalk adjacent […]

    Free
  • Theilman Trail Hike

    Theilman Trailhead aka Frank Bogert Bogert Trail and Andreas Hills Drive, Palm Springs, CA, United States

    Grab your hiking poles and join our Friends’ volunteer docent, on the Theilman Trail. This urban hike begins with a few rolling hills, a steep ascent with some switchbacks and levels out as you near the Whitehorse intersection. Once you reach the top, there are sweeping vistas of the Coachella Valley, Mount San Jacinto, the […]

    Free
  • 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 on the sidewalk adjacent […]

    Free
  • 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 […]

    Free
  • Andreas Canyon Adaptive Sports Hike

    Indian Canyons 38520 South Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California

    Join SoCal Adaptive Sports and Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer docents on a hike for persons with disabilities, their family, and friends in Indian Canyons. We begin by crossing the bridge and hiking up the desert trail overlooking the oasis. At the top, we will hike down about 25 feet to the creek. We […]

  • 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. Also, great opportunity to meet Bowser, our adopted Mojave desert tortoise who lives on site. Meet at the tortoise enclosure any time between 8:30am – 11am. For […]

  • Desert Mountains Art Fair

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

    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.   Sponsored by the […]

  • 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. For more information call 760-862-9984. Etiquette: please do not touch equipment unless requested. No white lights near telescope […]

    Free
  • 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. Also, great opportunity to meet Bowser, our adopted Mojave desert tortoise who lives on site. Meet at the tortoise enclosure any time between 8:30am – 11am. For […]

  • Pacific Crest Trail at Snow Creek

    Pacific Crest Trail Snow Creek Snow Creek Canyon Road and PCT, Whitewater, CA, United States

    Join a Friends’ volunteer docent on a hike on the spectacular Pacific Crest Trail and learn about some of the epic resources unique to the Monument! Moderate hike through desert wash, 300-foot elevation gain, 3.0-miles round trip. Bring 2 liters of water, snacks, wear closed-toed shoes, a sun hat and sunscreen. Sorry no dogs are […]

    Free
  • 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
  • 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 […]

    Free
  • 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. Also, great opportunity to meet Bowser, our adopted Mojave desert tortoise who lives on site. Meet at the tortoise enclosure any time between 8:30am – 11am. For […]

  • Returning Volunteer Agreement Signing + Updates

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

    We need RETURNING volunteers (those who have attended a general volunteer orientation) to attend ONE session this year and sign new BLM volunteer agreements. Please attend one of these sessions to continue your great work with our organization. Questions? Contact Dallas Williams at 760 568-9918 or email dwilliams@desertmountains.org To learn more about volunteering with us, […]

    Free
  • 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. Also, great opportunity to meet Bowser, our adopted Mojave desert tortoise who lives on site. Meet at the tortoise enclosure any time between 8:30am – 11am. For […]

  • 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 on the sidewalk adjacent […]

    Free
  • 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 on the sidewalk adjacent […]

    Free
  • 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
  • Earth Day Birding Bus Tour

    Sam’s Club Parking Lot 34220 Monterey Ave, Palm Desert, CA, United States

    Calling All Birders! Whether you are a beginner or a serious birder, enjoy spectacular desert and mountain scenery on a guided bus tour to well-known birding and nature hotspots in and around the Coachella Valley. Water and snacks will be provided. Bring a sack lunch to enjoy at one of our stops along the way. […]

  • Birding Walk-About, Desert Willow

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

    Bird walk-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 on the sidewalk adjacent […]

    Free
  • 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 […]

    Free
  • Celebrate Earth Day!

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

    Come out and join us at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center for a special Earth Day clean-up event! We will be trimming overgrown vegetation, clearing out invasive weeds and hand watering some of this year’s newly planted native species around the Visitor Center Campus. Plan to get a little […]

    Free
  • Big Morongo Preserve Adaptive Sports Hike

    Big Morongo Canyon Preserve 11055 East Drive, Morongo Valley, CA, United States

    Join SoCal Adaptive Sports and Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer docents for a hike for persons with disabilities, their family and friends in Big Morongo Preserve. The trail is a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk through the marsh and riparian habitats. The area provides habitat to many migratory birds, protecting other desert wildlife and plants. This is […]

  • 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. Also, great opportunity to meet Bowser, our adopted Mojave desert tortoise who lives on site. Meet at the tortoise enclosure any time between 8:30am – 11am. For […]

  • CANCELLED-Saving Wildlife: The Mission of the Desert Wildlife Center

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

    DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH SPEAKER, WE HAVE HAD TO CANCEL THIS EVENT.   Join us for an engaging presentation about the soon-to-open Desert Wildlife Center, a sanctuary dedicated to rehabilitating injured and orphaned wildlife in our region. Learn about the common causes of wildlife injuries, how the center plans to address these challenges, and […]

    Free
  • Spring Bioblitz: Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument

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

    The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains is a hotspot for biodiversity with over 3,100 species. Help us find and document more species by participating in this yearlong bioblitz event to keep identifying new species. Anyone can participate by going outside and exploring any of the over 280+ miles of designated trails in the Monument […]

    Free
  • 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. Also, great opportunity to meet Bowser, our adopted Mojave desert tortoise who lives on site. Meet at the tortoise enclosure any time between 8:30am – 11am. For […]