Indian Canyon West Fork Trail is a 5.4 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Palm Springs, California that features a river and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking and running and is best used from October until June.
Note: there is a $9 fee for entrance onto the reservation.
Anywhere at the Trading Post parking.
Indian Canyons Agua Caliente Indian Reservation 760-323-6018
Steady and consistent uphill hike. Start at the Trading Post descend Palm Canyon Trail and a quarter mile go right to West Fork Trail. $9 entrance fee.
January 18, 2021Awesome hike!! A Palm Springs must-do! Almost all uphill for the first half, so definitely a good workout.
January 17, 2021The area is beautiful. I’m not an experienced hiker, and I hit the ground running. It was very hard but I did it. I failed to realize it was rated hard. So, for a beginning hiker, it is doable but hard! I just needed to bring plenty of water. It got hot quickly and hydration is critical. The creek was little, a low rain season, but it was still worth the hike. Had to pay $9 pp but it is well kept. There are picnic tables, a market, and clean portable restrooms near the Palm Canyon Trail, which is where the trails start.
January 16, 2021January 10, 2021Awesome trail, good little one with nice elevation. The views are really stunning and the creek at the end was a nice little place to sit for a minute
January 2, 2021Awesome
December 24, 2020December 16, 2020We did a loop. 8.5 miles. Hiked up West Fork to the stream (it did have some water) and crossed to the other side to continue to Murray Canyon down to Andreas. Apple Watch registered 2,330’ elevation gain. Beautiful hike. Trail is a bit rocky on the other side of the stream but doable.
December 12, 2020Much more attractive than the trails on the other side of Palm Canyon About to go up into the hills. A really very attractive ravine that has I continuously running brook. Beware of extremely gusty winds off the mountains
December 5, 2020Trail is difficult if you haven’t hiked in a while. Started later so didn’t quite finish to the creek before turning around because I was worried about time to get back to the Trading Post before they closed at 5 pm. $9 fee to get on the reservation, and will be going back to fully complete this trail
December 3, 2020Steeper incline at the beginning then gradually becomes less steep. Beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and valley
November 16, 2020November 4, 2020October 28, 2020Nice hike. We started at the Trading Post. The ranger told us that the loop (without Victor trail) is 9 miles and takes five hours. It turns out that loop is 8.5 miles and we did it in 3 hours and 40 minutes. After lunch in the oasis we did a small loop up Palm Canyon trail and back on Victor for a grand total of 11 miles and still finished under 5 hours. On the West Fork loop we saw one person, on the Palm Canyon trail a few people (most not putting on a mask when passing on narrow trails).
October 10, 2020June 9, 2020Did this hike on a Monday and we were the only people on the trail. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and I would recommend a hat. There’s little to no shade on this trail. It also ends at the river and then you turn and go back. Beautiful hike
June 8, 2020I haven’t done much hiking in Palm Springs but walked a short distance on this is one. Amazing to have lush palm trees combined with a river. I did this years ago and can’t wait to return!
June 6, 2020May 23, 2020April 30, 2020One of my favorite all-time Hikes! Cannot visit palm springs without doing this hike. Starts off in a beautiful forest of huge palm trees… Completely surreal. After the real trail begins a climb into the back country to the ancient Indian birthing pools. incredible oasis.
March 15, 2020River at the end
March 4, 2020Definitely a strenuous hike with lots of switchbacks! Beautiful views! Take lots of water & wear sunscreen & hiking boots. Saw a few cacti blooming...
February 14, 2020Started in Palm Canyon. Palm trees reminded me of the Giant Sequoias. Turned off to the Fern trail to return to the car. About 2.5 hours total time. Fee is worth it and only $7 for seniors.
February 4, 2020This is a gorgeous hike.
April 7, 2019The Agua Caliente Reservation is one of our favorite areas to hike in the Palm Springs Area. Although there isn’t anything technically hard about this hike it is a long, steady, consistent uphill. Our lungs and heart were happy to reach the top. Our shins were happy to reach the bottom. At the sign for Jo Pond we went right down to the river. It’s a nice break to cool off. We started about 8am, had a little shade behind some rocks going up, but none going done. Bring water and sunscreen. The views are great, wild flowers were in full bloom when we went. It was very quiet and peaceful. Only saw a few other hikers.
