Outdoor Activities in Palm Springs

Stand above a gaping rift in the earth's crust on a 3-hour hummer tour that goes deep into California's rugged desert terrain. Enjoy sweeping views from your open-air truck as you leave Palm Desert for the San Andreas Fault, and learn about the area's extraordinary history and geology from your guide. Look down into some of the world's oldest ravines, watch for bighorn sheep and golden eagles as you explore the back roads of Berdoo Canyon, then take a 30-minute hike through the heart of a vast palm oasis.

Experience Palm Springs' wilder side with admission to The Living Desert, a zoo and botanical garden that showcase desert plants and wildlife from around the world. Explore the 1200-acre (486-ha) property on hiking trails and extensive tram lines that cross ecosystems from Africa, the Americas and the Australian Outback. Watch for the park's 450 animals as you learn how they adapt to life in earth's most arid places, and enjoy live shows, animal feedings and family-friendly activities aimed at education and conservation.

Explore the geology around California's legendary San Andreas fault during a guided 3-hour Jeep tour from Palm Desert. See a desert oasis fed by an underground spring as your naturalist guide describes how the Native American Cahuilla tribe used the desert's plants for food, medicine and shelter. Marvel at steep-walled canyons and tall twisted rock mountains, and learn about the plant and animal life of the area. Choose from a morning or after tour that includes light snacks, bottled water and round-trip transport from Palm Desert hotels.

Go deep into Palm Springs' Indian Canyons on a 3-hour, small group Jeep and hiking tour to the ancestral home of the Cahuilla tribes. Take in views of the rugged desert landscape as you ride into the rocky canyons, and learn the rich history of the Cahuilla; take a 1-mile (1.6-km) walk along a palm-lined stream to see the traces of historic Native American settlements. Visit a shady desert oasis, walk to a seasonal spring and browse a tribal trading post, then finish the tour at your Palm Springs hotel.

Explore a shady oasis and rugged canyons on a 4-hour Hummer adventure that goes deep into Joshua Tree's arid landscape. Leave Palm Desert and hold on tight as your guide takes you through the park's back roads, and enjoy sweeping views from the truck's open top. Walk through the heart of a vast oasis, and learn about the settlers and Cahuilla Indians that lived in this harsh environment; watch for golden eagles and bighorn sheep as you navigate Berdoo canyon then discover ancient stands of bristling Joshua trees.

Explore the uncanny landscape of Joshua Tree National Park with a 4.5-hour van tour from Palm Desert, near Palm Springs. Enjoy the comfort of an air-conditioned van or SUV as you navigate soaring granite formations and groves of the park's famously spiky trees, and capture unforgettable images of terrain that spans the Colorado and Mojave deserts. Trace a gentle trail into the rocks at Hidden Valley and Keys View, watch for the park's reclusive wildlife, and experience the unique beauty of one America's most remarkable national parks.

Explore the otherworldly landscape of Joshua Tree National Park with a customized, guided hiking tour that takes in the best of the region. Tailor the trip to your interests and abilities, and walk to soaring granite formations with sweeping views of the arid terrain. Learn about the plants and animals that thrive in this unique ecosystem, then see Joshua Tree's fascinating geological history laid bare in the rock record. Choose between a 1- or 2-day hiking tour, and immerse yourself in one of America's most distinctive National Parks.

Learn to rappel with an expert instructor in Joshua Tree National Park. After an introduction to the basics, you can do as many rappels as time allows during the 4-hour experience. Soak in the natural beauty of this southern California landscape during this beginning rappelling lesson that is suitable for adventurous people who enjoy a fun outdoors challenge.

Explore the desert landscape of Joshua Tree National Park by SUV or van on a 5-hour tour from Palm Springs. Drive over the San Andreas Fault and up steep canyons to scenic viewpoints, and take a guided hike to Hidden Valley. You'll learn from your guide about the history and wildlife of the high and low desert, and get great photo ops of the sculpture-like rock formations.

Venture far off the tourist trail onto the backroads in Joshua Tree National Park. This small group tour in a luxury Hummer H2 takes you from your Palms Springs hotel to the park, through the West Entrance, to the Inselberg rock formations, and past the distinctive trees for which the park is named and into the heart of the San Andreas Fault.

Learn about California's geology and desert wilderness on a half-day Jeep tour to the San Andreas Fault. Drive through the Coachella Valley to the fault zone while hearing from your guide about native plant and animal life, local history, the Salton Sea, and earthquakes. Depending on your preference, you can take a nature walk in the desert or stay in the vehicle. You'll also stop by a date farm where you can try their signature date milkshake. Includes guide, transportation, and light refreshments.

Adventure through the desert to the San Andres Fault on this 3-hour sunset tour by Jeep. Ride from Palm Desert to the fault in an open-air Jeep as you take in beautiful views of the desert at sunset and then under the starry night sky. Along the way, hear stories about the people who previously inhabited or settled in the area. Plus, enjoy personal attention from your guide on this small-group tour, limited to seven people.