Upcoming Events

THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN AND WIND. Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer astronomers will be setting up their telescopes and are inviting you to their “star party”. A clear night sky offers an ever-changing display of fascinating objects to see — stars, constellations, bright planets, a full moon, and sometimes special events […]

THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN AND WIND. Experience a hike by moonlight! See the beauty of the shadows and wash of moonlight over our mountains. We will be looking for all types of night creatures along the trail. Our astronomers will have their telescope set-up to view the night sky. This is a […]

THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN AND WIND. Experience a hike by moonlight! See the beauty of the shadows and wash of moonlight over our mountains. We will be looking for all types of night creatures along the trail. Our astronomers will have their telescope set-up to view the night sky. This is a […]

THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN AND WIND. Experience a hike by moonlight! See the beauty of the shadows and wash of moonlight over our mountains. We will be looking for all types of night creatures along the trail. Our astronomers will have their telescope set-up to view the night sky. This is a […]

THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN AND WIND. Experience a hike by moonlight! See the beauty of the shadows and wash of moonlight over our mountains. We will be looking for all types of night creatures along the trail. Our astronomers will have their telescope set-up to view the night sky. This is a […]

Join us for this STRENUOUS hike to Red Hill Vista in the Chuckwalla National Monument. The hike is a 4-mile loop with an elevation gain of 550 feet. Please read the full description below since once we reach the strenuous section of the hike it will be difficult to turn around. Hiking boots or shoes […]

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 […]

THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED DUE TO WIND. Strap on your hiking boots for a full moon hike on the first mile of the Indio Badlands Trail. As we embark on this hike, the moonlight casts enchanting shadows on the desert terrain. The sky will be brilliantly lit up for the desert creatures to be scurrying […]

THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED DUE TO WIND/ESTE EVENTO ESTÁ CANCELADO DEBIDO AL VIENTO. A Friends of the Desert Mountains volunteer astronomer will be setting up a telescope and is inviting you to a “star party”. A clear night sky offers an ever-changing display of fascinating objects to see — stars, constellations, bright planets, a full […]

THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED DUE TO WIND. Strap on your hiking boots for a full moon hike on the first mile of the Indio Badlands Trail. As we embark on this hike, the moonlight casts enchanting shadows on the desert terrain. The sky will be brilliantly lit up for the desert creatures to be scurrying […]

ESTE EVENTO ESTÁ CANCELADO DEBIDO AL VIENTO. Póngase las botas de montaña para una caminata bajo la luna llena en el sendero Indio Hills. Mientras nos embarcamos en esta caminata, la luz de la luna proyecta sombras encantadoras sobre el terreno desértico. El cielo estará brillantemente iluminado para que las criaturas del desierto puedan corretear. […]

THIS EVENT IS CANCELLED DUE TO WIND. Strap on your hiking boots for a full moon hike on the first mile of the Indio Badlands Trail. As we embark on this hike, the moonlight casts enchanting shadows on the desert terrain. The sky will be brilliantly lit up for the desert creatures to be scurrying […]

Hike through the largest palm oasis in North America to Palm Canyon trail to Indian Potrero trail. We come to a beautiful meadow like area along the Palm Canyon Trail and returning the same way. Distance is 7.5 miles with 1400 feet elevation gain. Hike is considered strenuous. We meet at Indian Canyons entrance station. […]

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 […]

Enjoy lectures at the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountain National Monument Visitor Center.The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument has been a living laboratory for scientific research even before the Monument was designated. Learn about some of the studies that have occurred over the years, as well as some of the research […]

ENDANGERED ANIMALS OF THE MONUMENT! Explore the Randall Henderson Trail with a volunteer docent and learn about two of our federally threatened animals and the challenges they face in the ever-changing environment. Both play different, but equally important roles in the desert ecology. The docent will help you search for them as you hike along […]

ENDANGERED ANIMALS OF THE MONUMENT! Explore the Randall Henderson Trail with a volunteer docent and learn about two of our federally threatened animals and the challenges they face in the ever-changing environment. Both play different, but equally important roles in the desert ecology. The docent will help you search for them as you hike along […]

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 […]

This trail has everything you need in a hike: a good workout, phenomenal views, and wildlife. We will be hiking to the Desert Riders trail junction picnic area and the Simonetta Kennett Vista Point and listen for the calming sound of Tahquitz Canyon Falls. The trail has a few steep switchbacks and is rocky in […]

Our volunteers will take you on a nature walk in Rancho Mirage. Join our Friends’ volunteer docents for an interactive nature conversation at Blixseth Mountain Park. As we walk along the paths we can talk geology and look for evidence of how both fault systems and water have shaped our land. Perhaps we can sit […]