Celebrate Earth Day!
2025-04-19 08:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, 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 dirty so come prepared with a hat, closed-toe shoes & bring at least 2 liters of water per person. Instruction and all other necessary equipment/tools will be provided.
RSVP is required, please check-in at 7:45 AM.
For more information contact Friends of the Desert Mountains at 760-568-9918.
View map for the Visitor Center at UTM Coordinates: 33.67149, -116.40839
Sponsored by the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center. Co-sponsored by Friends of the Desert Mountains.

Big Morongo Preserve Adaptive Sports Hike
2025-04-19 08:30 - 11:00 UTC | Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, 11055 East Drive, Morongo Valley, CA, 92256, 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 an easy 2-mile walk-about. Bring your binoculars, camera, snacks and 2 liters of water per person. Wear close-toed shoes, sun hat and sunscreen.
REGISTER
For more information, contact Michael at mike@socaladaptivesports.org or 760-469-9207.
View map/UTM coordinates: 34.03022, -116.34137

Tortoise Chat
2025-04-19 08:30 - 11:00, 2025-04-20 08:30 - 11:00, 2025-04-27 08:30 - 11:00 UTC | Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, 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 more information call the Visitor Center at 760-862-9984.
Sponsored by the Bureau of Land Management in partnership with Friends of the Desert Mountains.

CANCELLED-Saving Wildlife: The Mission of the Desert Wildlife Center
2025-04-19 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, 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 what to do if you find an injured wild animal. This talk will highlight the unique needs of wildlife and the role of rehabilitation in conservation efforts.
Reservations required and must bring ticket with you at check-in. Reservations begin 14 days prior to the event.
For more information call 760-862-9984.
View map/UTM coordinates for the Visitor Center: 33.67149, -116.40839
Hosted by the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center. Co-sponsored by Friends of the Desert Mountains.

Spring Bioblitz: Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument
2025-04-20 05:00 - 2025-04-26 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, 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 and identifying any plants or animals you see using the iNaturalist app on your phone. Be sure to add the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument project to your iNaturalist account to participate. Alternatively, you can upload your photos from your computer at iNaturalist.org to share with us. Click here for basic information on using iNaturalist.
Participants are encouraged to explore the trails and record as many species as they can using the iNaturalist app.
There will be one day that week that participants can participate in a special bioblitz event with other participants and local researchers and specialists. Info can be requested by calling the Visitor Center (760) 862-9984 a week prior to the start of the event.
Location: Special one day event with researchers and specialists is To Be Determined. Otherwise, participants can explore any of the Monument trails on their own at any time.
Guides: Various Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument staff and research partners
THE REGISTRATION HERE IS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WEEK-LONG EVENT. REGISTRATION FOR A DAY OUT WITH OUR RESEARCHERS WILL BE POSTED THE WEEK PRIOR.
We will send an email to registered participants to advise when sign-ups are ready for this special research activity. Space will be limited, so sign up ASAP after receiving notice. This is a free event.
Sponsored by the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service in collaboration with the Friends of the Desert Mountains.

Ed Hastey Garden Walk
2025-04-26 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, 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 open for conversation such as climate change, ancestors of the Cahuilla, geology, and early history of the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains.
Sorry, no dogs are allowed on this trail. Recommend one 1 liter of water per person, sun hat and sunscreen.
RSVP is required. Check-in 15 minutes prior to start time. Ticket reservations begin 14 days prior to the event. A suggested non-refundable donation of $5.00 per person is appreciated and encouraged to support our volunteer programs.
For more information contact the Visitor Center at 760-862-9984.
Click here for map/UTM coordinates: 33.67149, -116.40839

CANCELLED: Star Party in the Mountains
2025-04-26 19:30 - 22:00 UTC | Sawmill Trailhead Parking Lot, HGHX+XQG, Pinyon Pines, CA
DUE TO FORECAST WEATHER OF WIND/CLOUDS – THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED.
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 field.
NOTE: OVERCAST SKIES AND HIGH WINDS CANCEL THIS EVENT.
View map & UTM coordinates for the Sawmill Parking Lot: 33.57995, -116.45056

Birding Walk-About, Visitor Center
2025-04-28 08:00 - 09:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, United States
Our experienced 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 on to the Ed Hastey Garden Walk (paved) and tortoise habitat areas. From the parking area, we will take a short walk to the Randall Henderson Trail to check out the lower sandy wash area where other birds may be found.
Bring your binoculars, 1 liter of water, sun hat, sunscreen, and camera. Sorry, no dogs allowed on this trail.
RSVP is required. Check-in 15 minutes prior to start time. Ticket reservations begin 14 days prior to the event. A suggested non-refundable donation of $5.00 per person is appreciated and encouraged to support our volunteer programs.
For more information contact the Visitor Center at 760-862-9984.

Birding Walk-About, Desert Willow
2025-04-29 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Desert Willow Golf Resort, 38-995 Desert Willow Drive, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, 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 to the golf course, you will find approximately 25-30 different species on your 2-mile walk-about. This is truly a “jewel in the desert” location to be enjoyed.
Bring 1 liter of water, snacks, wear closed-toed shoes, a sun hat and sunscreen. Sorry, no dogs allowed.
RSVP is required. Check-in 15 minutes prior to start time. Ticket reservations begin 14 days prior to the event. A suggested non-refundable donation of $5.00 per person is appreciated and encouraged to support our volunteer programs.
For more information contact Friends of the Desert Mountains at 760-568-9918.
Note: We will meet in the parking lot on the right side of Desert Willow Drive just before entering the golf club. Map & UTM coordinates: 33.76560, -116.36554

Yoga with a Ranger
2025-05-01 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, 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 or towel, water, and sunscreen. Limited to 15 participants. Meet on the Visitor Center patio.
Reservations required and must bring ticket with you at check-in. Reservations begin 14 days prior to the event.
For more information call 760-862-9984.
UTM Coordinates for the Visitor Center are 33.67149, -116.40839
Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center. Co-sponsored by Friends of the Desert Mountains.

Tortoise Chat
2025-05-03 08:30 - 09:30, 2025-05-04 08:30 - 09:30, 2025-05-10 08:30 - 09:30, 2025-05-11 08:30 - 09:30, 2025-05-17 08:30 - 09:30, 2025-05-18 08:30 - 09:30, 2025-05-24 08:30 - 09:30, 2025-05-25 08:30 - 09:30 UTC and 2 more dates | Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, 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 – 9:30am. (Note: times may be reduced due to heat.)
NO RESERVATION REQUIRED.
For more information call the Visitor Center at 760-862-9984.
Sponsored by the Bureau of Land Management in partnership with Friends of the Desert Mountains.

Prescott Preserve Adaptive Sports Hike
2025-05-03 08:30 - 11:00 UTC | Prescott Preserve, Compadre Road and Sunny Dunes Road, Palm Springs, CA, 92264, United States
Join SoCal Adaptive Sports and Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer docents on a hike for persons with disabilities, their family, and friends at Prescott Preserve.
This trail is located on the former Mesquite Golf course and is currently undergoing restoration. When restoration is complete, the land will be native desert environment including ponds for all our native creatures. The trail is a combination of former golf cart track and sandy trail.
This is a loop trail, approximately 2.5-mile total distance with minimal elevation. AND your furry, 4-legged buddy is welcome to come along but must be on a leash. Bring snacks and 2 liters of water per person and your hiking poles. Wear close-toed shoes, sun hat and sunscreen.
REGISTER
For more information, contact Michael at mike@socaladaptivesports.org or 760-469-9207.
View map/UTM coordinates: 33.812315, -116.514990

Star Party at the Monument
2025-05-03 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, 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 field.
NOTE: OVERCAST SKIES CANCELS THIS EVENT.
Registration begins 14 days prior to the event. A suggested nonrefundable donation of $5.00 per person is appreciated and encouraged to support our volunteer programs.
View map/UTM Coordinates for the Visitor Center: 33.67149, -116.40839

Yoga with a Ranger
2025-05-08 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, 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 or towel, water, and sunscreen. Limited to 15 participants. Meet on the Visitor Center patio.
Reservations required. Reservations begin 14 days prior to the event.
For more information call 760-862-9984.
UTM Coordinates for the Visitor Center are 33.67149, -116.40839
Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center. Co-sponsored by Friends of the Desert Mountains.

Cahuilla Tewanet Overlook Trail Adaptive Sports Hike
2025-05-17 08:30 - 11:00 UTC | Cahuilla Tewanet Vista Point, 9.9 miles up Hwy 74 from the Visitor Center., Mountain Center - USE MAP LINK IN DESCRIPTON, NOT HERE, CA, 92561, United States
Join SoCal Adaptive Sports and Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer docents on a hike for persons with disabilities, their family, and friends.
The Overlook is dedicated to Cahuilla People. The Cahuilla were hunter/gatherers who lived off the land. They found many uses for the various plants, especially spring wildflowers. How has current climate changes affected the area? Learn about fire ecology and more.
This trail is friendly to dogs on a leash. The trail is an out/back, approximately 1 mile total distance with 150 feet elevation. Bring snacks, 2 liters of water per person and your hiking poles. Wear close-toed shoes, a sun hat and sunscreen. Sorry, no dogs are allowed on this trail.
REGISTER
For more information, contact Michael at mike@socaladaptivesports.org or 760-469-9207.
View map/UTM coordinates: 33.58605, -116.42612

CANCELLED Star Party in the Mountains
2025-05-17 19:30 - 22:00 UTC | 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 field.
NOTE: OVERCAST SKIES AND HIGH WINDS CANCEL THIS EVENT.
View map & UTM coordinates for the Sawmill Parking Lot: 33.57995, -116.45056

Monument Night Adventures 8:30p Group
2025-05-24 20:30 - 22:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Art Smith Trailhead, MH9R+7Q, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, United States
Night hike-

Discover how the desert comes alive after dark! Do you know which animals change colors when you use a blacklight?
Using blacklights, a Friends’ volunteer docent will begin a short walk on uneven cobbled desert terrain in the basin below the dike/levy looking for scorpions and other nocturnal creatures that inhabit our desert.
This is a family friendly event. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Bring water, wear closed-toed shoes and a black light if you have one. If not, we will have a few black lights to share. Sorry, no dogs allowed on this trail.
RSVP is required, check-in 15 minutes prior to start time. Ticket reservations begin 14 days prior to the event. A suggested non-refundable donation of $5.00 per person is appreciated and encouraged to support our volunteer programs.
For more information contact Friends of the Desert Mountains at 760-568-9918.
Please note: We will meet at the Art Smith Trailhead parking lot located just past the driveway for the Visitor Center approximately 100 feet on the southwest side of Highway 74.
View map at coordinates: 33.667957, -116.407666

Night Sky Viewing Stars and Planets
2025-05-24 20:30 - 22:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Art Smith Trailhead, MH9R+7Q, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, United States
Night event-

Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer astronomers will be setting up their telescopes and are inviting you to stop by any time while they are there to view the ever-changing display of fascinating objects to see — stars, constellations, bright planets, moon and sometimes meteors.
This is a family friendly event. Minors must be accompanied by parent or guardian. Bring water and wear closed-toed shoes.
RSVP is required. Ticket reservations begin 14 days prior to the event. A suggested non-refundable donation of $5.00 per person is appreciated and encouraged to support our volunteer programs.
NOTE: CHECK WEATHER BEFORE DEPARTING, THIS EVENT WILL BE CANCELLED FOR HEAVY CLOUD COVER, WIND OR RAIN.
For more information contact Friends of the Desert Mountains at 760-568-9918.
We will meet at the Art Smith Trailhead parking lot located just past the driveway for the Visitor Center approximately 100 feet on the southwest side of Highway 74.
View map at coordinates: 33.667957, -116.407666

CANCELLED: Star Party at the Monument
2025-05-31 20:00 - 22:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Visitor Center, 51500 Highway 74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260, United States
Due to forecast wind and cloud cover caused by Tropical Storm Alvin coming up from Mexico, this event has been cancelled.
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 field.
NOTE: OVERCAST SKIES CANCELS THIS EVENT.
Registration begins 14 days prior to the event. A suggested nonrefundable donation of $5.00 per person is appreciated and encouraged to support our volunteer programs.
View map/UTM Coordinates for the Visitor Center: 33.67149, -116.40839
