Palm Desert: Trails, Wildlife and Culture

Palm Desert brings together opportunities for outdoor recreation, wildlife, local history and events. When planning your stay, the city offers a range of interests, from multi-use trails and skateboarding to museum exhibits and food festival offerings.

Parks, Trails and Outdoor Activities

Palm Desert maintains more than 200 acres of parkland, including 17 parks, the Palm Desert Aquatic Center and more than 25 miles of multi-use trails. The trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Since city operating hours may change in the future, check current notices before visiting. These offerings differ in character: the multi-use trails accommodate different activities, while the skate park has separate areas for beginners and advanced skaters.

The Palm Desert Skate Park is intended for skateboarding, roller skating, scootering and other permitted activities. Its separation by experience level is a specific difference from the multi-use trails; which activities are permitted is determined by the current park rules.

The Bump and Grind Trail is a four-mile training loop over desert ridges. It offers views of Palm Desert against a backdrop of rugged peaks. When planning this hike, check trail conditions, access and recommended hiking times before your trip.

Wildlife at The Living Desert

Two distinct wildlife experiences are featured at The Living Desert. The African Safari attraction offers examples such as giraffes, black rhinos, cheetahs and zebras. In the Australian Adventures habitat, visitors can walk among wallabies and see budgerigars, Bennett's wallabies and kookaburras. The experiences can be distinguished by animal groups and format: African Safari features several large animal species, while Australian Adventures combines walking among wallabies with other examples of Australian wildlife. Animal populations and presentations may change over time; check current offerings before your visit.

History and Art in Palm Desert

The Historical Society of Palm Desert Museum displays aerial photographs of Palm Desert and the surrounding mountains from the 1940s through the 1980s. The images offer a view of the city and its mountain landscape across several decades. Another focus is the history of General George Patton's Motor Pool on Portola Avenue. In the 1940s, the Motor Pool supported the training of troops before their deployment against German forces in North Africa during World War II.

Public art is also part of the cultural offerings: the city holds an exhibition every two years featuring 18 unique works of art by local, national and international artists. It is located in the median of the upscale El Paseo shopping district. Since each edition changes, the works on display may differ from one event to the next.

Dance and Food as Reasons to Attend Events

The Palm Desert Choreography Festival features performances of original dances in various styles. The dance companies come from across the country, and winners are announced at the end of each performance. The performers and program vary with each edition. Those interested in dance will find a different focus here than in the museum and art offerings described as ongoing.

The Palm Desert Food & Wine Festival offers more than 40 local restaurants, cooking demonstrations, 60 premium wines and sparkling wines, and special dining experiences. The combination of restaurants, demonstrations, wine and dinner distinguishes the festival from a single food or tasting station. The program and participation may change; check current dates and offerings before your trip.

When choosing activities, you can compare different interests: walking or skating on the trails or at the skate park, wildlife viewing at The Living Desert, museum history, art on El Paseo, and dance and food events. If a particular festival or hike is the reason for your trip, include its dates or current trail conditions in your planning.

Discover more destinations: Blythe, Murrieta, Indio, Corona, Menifee, Cathedral City, Wildomar, Indian Wells

Return to the main travel overview: Riverside.