Take South Palm Canyon Drive south several miles to the Indian Canyons toll booth. Free tours available with admission. The shady, one-mile loop trail winds along a flowing stream through a lush labyrinth of palm trees and vegetation in the shadow of towering cliffs. The cool shade of the canyon is a welcome relief from the sweltering heat just a few miles down the road in Palm Springs. And for the most part, it remains that way throughout the summer, though even in the canyons, it can get quite hot.
Winter is the time to hike here.
Summer is when there's less people and everyone is heading to the water. We get a lot of people from the city come up just to sit and relax by the water. He stops along the trail to point out a Desert Lavender bush, and explains to the crowd how the ancient Cahuilla Indians used this perfumed plant as an after-bath and in powder form, to help stop bleeding from wounds. ''I like to teach people what they're looking at in the canyon. There's just something about anytime you come onto Indian land, there's a spiritual feeling you get. And for the second consecutive summer, the Indians Canyons will remain open throughout the season, with ranger-led tours offered four to five times a day, seven days a week.