Mountain Center, California
Mountain Center, California is the spot for the best trails and outdoor activities. The Pacific Crest Trail, a long-distance hiking trail, is a top pick. It offers scenic views of rock formations and the San Jacinto River. The trail is challenging, but the sight of Lake Hemet, a must-visit, is rewarding. For a less strenuous hike, the Cahuilla Tewanet Vista Point provides a panoramic view of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains. If you're up for outdoor adventures, try horseback riding at the Garner Valley Equestrian Center. Near Mountain Center, visit the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, a unique attraction with desert animals and plants. Enjoy the best of Mountain Center's outdoors!
Top Spots in and near Mountain Center
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Borrego Springs, California
Camping in Anza-Borrego State Park
5.0With over 600,000 acres, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in the contiguous United States. 500 miles of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas and miles of hiking trails provide visitors with an unparalleled opportunity to experience the wonders of the Colorado Desert. The park i...Read more -
Borrego Springs, California
Hike the Panorama Overlook in Anza Borrego Desert State Park
1.6 mi / 636 ft gainThis is an out and back 1.6 mile round trip with 636 feet of elevation gain. The top has excellent views of Anza Borrego. It is close to the visitor center.Read more -
Desert Hot Springs, California
Hidden Trail to Flag Mountain
4.5 mi / 950 ft gainHidden Trail to Flag Mountain is a lesser-known local trail in Desert Edge, California. The trail leads to Flag Mountain, which displays an American flag and a Canadian flag at the summit.Read more -
Borrego Springs, California
Fonts Point
4.58.02 mi / 551 ft gainThe best time to go to Fonts point is right before the sun sets. It is located in the desert, so be sure to dress warmly and bring a blanket or two. In order to get to Fonts Point, you'll have to drive through roughly 4 miles of sand and rocks (8-miles roundtrip). 4x4 is strongly recommended, bu...Read more -
Banning, California
Lake Fulmor Loop Trail
5.00.53 mi / 89 ft gainLake Fulmor is a small lake in the San Jacinto Wilderness near Idyllwild, CA. The trail loops around the lake offering spectacular views and is good for all skill levels. There are picnic tables, grills, and a small dock where you can peer out over the lake or cast a line. To fish in Lake Fulm...Read more -
Borrego Springs, California
Maidenhair Falls via Hellhole Canyon Trail
5 mi / 1060 ft gainThis 5.1 mile hike begins near the visitor center of Anza Borrego Desert State Park and gains 974 feet of elevation while climbing up a canyon to a small waterfall. It is an interesting hike as you can see the plant life change as you get closer to the waterfall. There are parts where the trail g...Read more -
Riverside County, California
Painted Canyon Loop
5.04.8 mi / 974 ft gainTake Box Canyon Rd to Painted Canyon Road. Painted Canyon Road is a dirt road, so exercise caution. The road dead ends at the Painted Canyon Trailhead parking lot. Once on the trail, look out for markers and arrow rock piles pointing to the slot canyons and other trails. Some climbing is necessa...Read more -
Mecca, California
Ladder Canyon in Mecca Hills
5.04.43 mi / 1119 ft gainLadder Canyon is a hike that involves climbing ladders and walking through canyons up to great views on the Mecca Hills and Salton Sea. From Box Canyon Road turn on to Painted Canyon Road a dirt road that will lead you to the trailhead. From the trailhead start into the canyon. After a few hundr...Read more -
Mecca, California
Ladder Canyon and Painted Canyon Loop
5.04.43 mi / 1119 ft gainFrom Interstate 10, take State Highway 195 (Box Canyon Road) to Painted Canyon Road. This well-maintained, dirt road goes for about 4 miles and leads into the sandy wash which runs the length of the canyon for approximately 1.7 miles. There are a few narrow side canyons which can be explored on f...Read more -
Warner Springs, California
Eagle Rock via the Pacific Crest Trail
5.06.2 mi / 807 ft gainWith doing more hikes in the SoCal area, I've realized half the battle is just trying to find the damn trailhead.Technically you have 2 ways to enter this trail ... Start from 79 and add a very enjoyable extra 3ish miles, or start from the Warner Springs Fire Station, for a total 7 mile hike.We c...Read more -
Desert Hot Springs, California
Mission Creek Trail
15.33 mi / 1594 ft gainMission Creek Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a river located near Whitewater, California.Read more -
Desert Hot Springs, California
Catch a Sunset at Keys View in Joshua Tree NP
5.0This is a great place to watch the sunset, perched on the crest of the Little San Bernardino Mountains, provides panoramic views of the Coachella Valley and is well worth the 20-minute drive from Park Boulevard down Keys View Road. The views reach as far south as Salton Sea and on some clear days...Read more -
Desert Hot Springs, California
Inspiration Peak in Joshua Tree
1.81 mi / 476 ft gainMost automobile-bound visitors to Joshua Tree make their way to Keys View, and why wouldn't they? It has some of the best views in the park and with it, some of the biggest, loudest crowds. Most don't realize that a short hike away is even *better* views and, if you're lucky, solitude, on top of ...Read more -
Riverside County, California
Hike to Lost Horse Mine
4.09 mi / 545 ft gainTo get to the trailhead, take Key's View Road from Park Blvd for around 2.5 miles and turn left onto a dirt road. The trailhead is at the end of this road. From here, you have the option to do the 6.1 mile loop or the 4 mile roundtrip out and back. This trail takes you through a beautiful desert ...Read more -
Cabazon, California
Check Out the Cabazon Dinosaurs
4.4For any fans of Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure or The Wizard, the Cabazon Dinosaurs are instantly recognizable. A roadside attraction off of Hwy 10 - 90 miles east of Los Angeles - the dinosaurs, heralded as the “World’s Biggest Dinosaurs", are a quick adventure.To get to the dinosaurs, you’ll travel on...Read more -
Riverside County, California
Covington Crest Trail
3.09 mi / 177 ft gainAccessing Covington Flats in Joshua Tree National Park requires a high ground-clearance overland vehicle. In the summer months a standard car might make it to the parking lot after the 7.5 mile off-road drive, but should always be prepared for soft sand. Bring spare water and emergency tools inca...Read more
