Indian Canyons

Indian Canyons is comprised of four canyons, all listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The canyons were settled by the Agua Calliente Cahuilla Indians centuries ago; they developed complex communities based largely on agriculture. The canyons cover 32,000 acres spread out over the desert and are home to many endangered species of plants and animals. There are miles of hiking trails, some fairly rigorous. Palm Canyon, where we normally stop first, is the world's largest California Palm oasis. Andreas Canyon is also lush with absolutely clear water rushing over rocks and miles of palms. Seen from a distance it truly stands as an oasis in the middle of the desert. There are remains of Cahuilla society still evident in the canyons: rock art, housepits, foundations, trails, irrigation ditches and food preparation areas. It is peaceful and beautiful--you can hear all sorts of birds and the sound of the water carries quite a distance. At Palm Canyon there are hummingbirds everywhere. A couple of them even flew right up to me and circled my head.