1.0 hr
Overview
The Palm Canyon Trail starts at a crossroads, about .25 miles up the road after entering Palm Canyon Campground. This is also very close to the north end of the Visitor Center Interpretive Trail. <br><br>From its trailhead, the first half mile of Palm Canyon Trail crosses the shrub covered Palm Canyon Campground. The trail then crosses a popular parking area used by hikers of the Palm Canyon Loop.<br><br>After crossing the parking area, follow Palm Canyon Trail northwest as it heads towards the mountains of Palm Canyon. Here, the trail crosses a flat, open area. It is a rock strewn, sandy trail with low vegetation. In the spring, the vegetation is green with an abundance of flowers - very pretty. Brittlebush (yellow flowers) is everywhere. There are also several other yellow flowered bushes, desert dandelions, and other low, flowering shrubs.<br><br>About a mile from its trailhead, Palm Canyon Trail bends to the right and enters the canyon. A steep, brush covered hillside, the canyon "wall", rises to the right of the trail. Tall stick-like ocotillos join the mix of vegetation. In the spring, the ocotillo stems become dark green, with orange tipped ends - the ocotillo blooms. About 1.5 miles from the trailhead, the trail turns left and crosses the stream that runs down the canyon. If one looks up the stream (to the right), in the distance, one can see the California fan palms of the oasis, about a half mile away.<br><br>After crossing the stream, the trail turns right and follows the stream as it heads towards the oasis. The canyon walls rise steeply on both sides of the trail, from here to the oasis. Just after crossing the stream and turning right, the trail enters a short stretch of relatively dense vegetation, made possible in the desert, by the stream waters. The trail soon emerges from the vegetation, and becomes much rockier, with areas of large boulders. In places it is hard to tell where the trail goes. Look for occasional arrows that mark the trail. <br><br>For .25 miles after crossing the stream, the
Trail Stats
3.1 km
154 m
390 m
235 m
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Photos
Brittlebush flowers grow along the Palm Canyon Trail.
Brittlebush flowers grow along the Palm Canyon Trail.
Common phacelia (phacelia distans) blooms along the Palm Canyon Trail.
Common phacelia (phacelia distans) blooms along the Palm Canyon Trail.
Mountains form the Palm Canyon "walls" across the stream that runs down Palm Canyon.
Mountains form the Palm Canyon "walls" across the stream that runs down Palm Canyon.
A cholla cactus blooms along the Palm Canyon Trail. This type of cholla cactus has green flowers, while other types have other colors.
A cholla cactus blooms along the Palm Canyon Trail. This type of cholla cactus has green flowers, while other types have other colors.
A barrel cactus blooms on the Palm Canyon Alternate Trail.
A barrel cactus blooms on the Palm Canyon Alternate Trail.
Ocotillo stands in bloom along the Palm Canyon Trail.
Ocotillo stands in bloom along the Palm Canyon Trail.
When crossing the stream that runs down Palm Canyon, one can see the palms of the Palm Canyon oasis in the distance.
When crossing the stream that runs down Palm Canyon, one can see the palms of the Palm Canyon oasis in the distance.
Brittlebush greets the sun in full bloom along the Palm Canyon Trail in early April.
Brittlebush greets the sun in full bloom along the Palm Canyon Trail in early April.
Desert dandelions grow along Palm Canyon Trail in April.
Desert dandelions grow along Palm Canyon Trail in April.
A towering California fan palm grows near the Palm Canyon oasis.
A towering California fan palm grows near the Palm Canyon oasis.
You'll remember looking up at the tall palms of the Palm Canyon oasis for a long time after your visit.
You'll remember looking up at the tall palms of the Palm Canyon oasis for a long time after your visit.
Expect pools with small, bush-like California fan palms as one approaches the Palm Canyon oasis on the Palm Canyon Trail.
Expect pools with small, bush-like California fan palms as one approaches the Palm Canyon oasis on the Palm Canyon Trail.
Look for this shaded pool in the stream that runs down Palm Canyon. With all this greenery, it's hard to believe this is a desert.
Look for this shaded pool in the stream that runs down Palm Canyon. With all this greenery, it's hard to believe this is a desert.
Parish's poppies grow along the Palm Canyon Trail in early April.
Parish's poppies grow along the Palm Canyon Trail in early April.
In the cool shade of the Palm Canyon oasis palms, you'll receive a welcome relief from the desert heat.
In the cool shade of the Palm Canyon oasis palms, you'll receive a welcome relief from the desert heat.
Early morning is a great time to experience the Palm Canyon Trail.
Early morning is a great time to experience the Palm Canyon Trail.
California fan palms grow in the Palm Canyon Trail's desert oasis in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
California fan palms grow in the Palm Canyon Trail's desert oasis in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.