Palm Springs Adventures: 9 Ways to Get Out Into the Desert

The best Palm Springs adventures are a Jeep tour into the San Andreas Fault, the Aerial Tramway up to 8,516 feet, a canyon hike to a waterfall and a day of climbing in Joshua Tree. Most take a morning, which leaves the afternoon for the pool. That's how we plan every Palm Springs weekend getaway: something wild before lunch, something cold in your hand by two. If you'd rather keep it gentle, our easy hikes guide starts slower.

What are the best adventures in Palm Springs?

1. Jeep into the San Andreas Fault

Desert Adventures Red Jeep Tours drives you off the pavement and into the fault zone, with a guide explaining how the ground got so twisted. Shared tours work for couples. Private Jeeps and group tours work for bigger crews, and they also run Jeep-supported hiking tours in Indian Canyons.

2. Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Rotating cars climb from Chino Canyon to the Mountain Station at 8,516 feet, and the temperature drops the whole way up. At the top, more than 50 miles of trails start in Mount San Jacinto State Park. Bring a jacket. In winter, bring a better one.

3. Hike to a canyon waterfall

Tahquitz Canyon ends at a seasonal 60-foot waterfall, with rock art along the way. In Indian Canyons, the Murray Canyon trail runs about 4.7 miles to the Seven Sisters waterfall. Both are best after a wet winter. Drinking water is required on the trails, and the canyons keep seasonal hours.

4. Climb in Joshua Tree

Joshua Tree National Park is about an hour away and famous with climbers for its rounded granite boulders. If you're new to it, book a licensed guide and let them pick the routes. Go in the cooler months and start early.

5. Float over the valley in a hot air balloon

Fantasy Balloon Flights, a family-run company flying since 1981, offers balloon rides in the Palm Springs area. Flights launch early and depend on the weather, so book an early day of your trip in case you need to reschedule.

6. Tour a wind farm

Palm Springs Windmill Tours runs guided golf cart tours through a working wind farm, plus self-drive and private options. It's oddly mesmerizing, and it's a great pick for the friend who has already done the tram twice.

7. Surf in the desert

Palm Springs Surf Club has turned surfing into a desert sport, with a wave pool, a lazy river and slides. Book ahead and let the strongest swimmer go first.

8. Ride bikes around town

Palm Springs is flat, sunny and made for a slow cruise past mid-century houses. Add bike rentals to your stay, and use our bike routes guide to pick a loop.

9. Chase a dark sky

Drive to Joshua Tree on a moonless night and let your eyes adjust. Our stargazing guide covers where to go and when the meteor showers peak.

Which Palm Springs adventures work best for a group?

Pick one big outing per day and let everyone opt in. Private Jeeps and the wind farm tour keep a group together, the tram works for every fitness level, and the surf club is where the competitive friend finally gets humbled. Save the canyon waterfalls for the early risers and meet everyone else at the pool.

How do you plan an adventure day in the desert?

• Go early. Summer afternoons often top 100 degrees, and even winter middays get warm.

• Carry water. More than you think, for every person.

• Book ahead. Jeep tours, balloons and surf sessions fill up on weekends.

• Check hours. Canyons, tours and the tram all change schedules by season.

• Plan the afternoon off. You'll want the pool, the hot tub and a nap.

What activities can you book at The Muse?

Not every adventure needs a trailhead. At The Muse, guests can add in-room massages (60 or 90 minutes per person, booked at least 48 hours ahead), private yoga for the whole group ($150 with three days' notice), a private hibachi dinner and a photography experience.

On a full hotel buyout, you can also add a bartender package and Party on Wheels, which are for buyouts only. The courtyard pool, the six-person hot tub, the pergola swings and the outdoor fireplace are all yours, with room for up to 22 overnight guests. Music is welcome at reasonable volumes until 10PM.

Palm Springs adventures FAQ

The whole hotel. Just your group. Check your dates and tell us which adventure is first.