Today, we’re going to embark on a journey to one of Palm Springs best kept secrets – Tahquitz Falls.  Tucked away in a canyon in the San Jacinto Mountains, this stunning waterfall is a must-see for any outdoor enthusiast.  The scenic 1.8 mile hike takes you on a journey through the region’s vibrant history and diverse landscape, offering stunning views within towering cliffs.  

Tahquitz (pronounced TAK-wish) Canyon is named after Tahquitz, the first shaman of the Cahuilla People, the indigenous tribe of Indians native to the Palm Springs area. 

The legend is that Tahquitz possessed great power, including the ability to control the weather and cause earthquakes.  

He used his powers for the good of all people, until he didn’t.  When he started using his powers to harm the Cahuilla people, they were not happy.  So they banished him to the canyon that now bears his name.   

The legend doesn’t explain how a group of mortals could banish a god-like entity, but that’s the legend, so we’re sticking with it.  

Tahquitz is said to stomp around the canyon to this day, grumbling about his banishment.  But if you’re going to be banished somewhere, this is definitely the place.  It’s beautiful.  

When you arrive, you must check in at the Visitor’s Center.  The fee for the hike is $15.00.  You must have at least 16 ounces of water (or gatorade) before you can go onto the trail.  If you don’t have any, they have both water and gatorade for sale.  

This is for your safety, not to make money – you are in the desert.  I didn’t bring any water with me, so I purchased a gatorade, and I was really glad to have it with me.  The day was cool, but the hike had its challenges, and the cool gatorade was a welcome relief.  

The rangers at the visitors center also give you a trail map.  Although you don’t really need the trail map to find the trail – that’s easy.  The trail map shows markers that point to interesting landmarks named & used by the Agua Caliente band of the Cahuilla Indians.  These landmarks go back thousands of years (yes, thousands).

Once you have your water & the trail map, you can start out on the trail.

The beginning of the trail is a relatively easy single track that winds through boulders in the desert.  I did this hike in January, shortly after historic rain in the area.  As I was walking, the sounds of the creek became more prominent.  

Soon I reached the first bridge crossing over the burbling stream.  There are no handrails on the bridge, just a stone crossing.  

And what a sight!  Standing on the bridge, you have an unobstructed view up into the canyon.  Turn around, and you have another stunning view of the creek heading towards the valley.

Keep following the path, and you’ll reach the first set of stone stairs.  

The hike isn’t that difficult, but it had its challenging moments.  This first set of stairs was a small sampling of things to come.  Some of the stairs are 10-12 inches in height.  

And, like the bridge, there are no handrails, so you want to make sure your footing is secure.  I brought my hiking pole with me.  Usually, when I’m hiking, my hiking pole stays in my car.  But I brought it this time, because it also doubles as a monopod, and I wanted to take photos.  But I was glad to have it simply as a hiking pole.

Continue along the path.  You’ll see some Chuparosa – a desert shrub with delicate, tubular, red-orange flowers, that hummingbirds are partial to.  In fact, the word, “Chuparosa,” is Spanish for hummingbird.  

I stopped near one of the Chuparosas to read the map, and a hummingbird flew down for a snack.  Such a cool sight!

The next bridge is where the trail forks.  Like the first bridge, it’s an unfettered walkway over the creek.  But the swollen creek splashed up to the edge of the bridge.  

Step onto the bridge to get more stunning views up into the canyon and down into the valley.  Once you’re done, go back to the side of the bridge you started from, and continue up the trail on the right.  When you return, you’ll cross the bridge from the trail on the left.   

From here, you’ll find yourself traversing narrow passageways, up into the rocks, and through breathtaking scenery.  You’ll see a smaller waterfall along the way, just a hint of what’s to come.

Keep following along the stream to get to its source, Tahquitz Falls.

You’ll hear the waterfall before you see it.  

As you come along the path, around a rock, and … there it is, nestled within a canyon wall, pouring the water into a pool.  

There are some stone steps and another narrow bridge to cross the pool of water to land on the other side.  The center of the narrow bridge is the best spot for photographing the falls.  You have a straight-on view here.  

But, if it’s a nice day, you’ll have people coming along behind you.  There’s no room for people to pass you on the bridge.  So be considerate, get your photos quickly, and then continue to the other side.

Park rangers have said that it’s okay to swim in the pool – the only place you have permission to get into the water.  

The day I went, it was waaaaaaayyyy tooooooo cold for that!  But I can imagine in the hot, desert summer that people would eagerly jump in to cool off.

This would be a perfect place for a picnic, too.  It’s the halfway point of the hike, so a rest, some food, water, and a swim on a hot day – what could be better?

As you loop back, you’re at a slightly higher elevation, and not quite as close to the stream as you were hiking to the falls.  The slight elevation gives you a better view into the valley – Palm Springs is a beautiful sight in the distance.  

You also get a great view of the opposite mountain side.  Big-horned sheep roam this side of the mountain, but they camouflage into the mountain.  Trying to find one is a real-life “Where’s Waldo” experience.  

More Chuparosas are along the path attracting more hummingbirds – I saw several during my hike, but they were too fast for me to get any good photos or videos.  

You’ll pass by a large, flat-topped rock that you can climb onto.  It provides a stunning & unobstructed view of the valley.  

Continue on the path, and you’ll reach the stone bridge that connects back to the main path.  It’s impossible not to stop again and enjoy the impressive views back into the canyon.  And when you’re ready, head back down the stone stairs, and along the single track to the visitor’s center.

This is a hike I expect to do again and again.  I was so excited about seeing the falls that I overlooked many of the other interesting points along the way, namely the points of interest listed in the map.  

These points of interest are not simply for contemporary interest.  They are places named & used by the Cahuilla people thousands of years ago.  

Sacred Rock, for example, is one of the oldest Aqua Caliente dwelling sites.  Artifacts that are thousands of years old have been found in this location.  And I walked right by.

I had thought that this trail had some petroglyphs on it (it doesn’t).  I came across one rock that I thought might be art, but it was (imo) very bad art.  I asked a ranger about it, and he politely told me that it wasn’t art at all, but it was the natural striation of the rock.  Oh. I was glad to get that straightened out.  

Hiking Tahquitz Canyon to Tahquitz Falls is the ideal hike for a seasoned hiker or beginner, the perfect blend of natural beauty and adventure. From the rocky trail to the narrow bridges, to the stunning waterfall, every step is a memorable one. The rich cultural history of the area only enhances its appeal, making this hike a must-see for any outdoor enthusiast.  

If you’d like to see my video on the hike, as part of my 5-video series on things to do in Palm Springs, click on the link below.