Hike the Boo Hoff Trail Loop

12.8 miles - Hard Effort
5-6 Hours (Total)
2,560 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 1,940 feet
No Dogs Allowed

The Boo Hoff Trail, which follows a native path into the foothills of the Santa Rosa Mountains, is filled with desert beauty and panoramic views. This loop is a challenging route that offers a solid climb, a descent into Devil Canyon and around Lake Cahuilla, and a hike back on the Cove to Lake Trail. Overall the Boo Hoff loop is a challenging hike that offers a little of everything.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions for the Boo Hoff Trail Loop
Parking for the Boo Hoff Trail
Insider Tips and Recommendations for the Hike

Quick Links:
Park Website - NOAA Weather Report - My Oct 2024 Gear

Where is the Boo Hoff Trail?

There's a massive and well-developed trailhead for this hike at the Cove to Lake Trailhead. The Cove to Lake Trail is the one we'll be using to return on the loop (FYI). Here's the trailhead address:
Cove to Lake Trailhead, Calle Tecate, La Quinta, CA 92253

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 3 — The parking lot is massive and free. Don't confuse it with the nearby "Cove Oasis" trailhead.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 4 — The Cove to Lake Trailhead has the nicest toilet that I've ever seen at the start of a hike. There's also a water refill and fountain.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 5 — Several other (use) trails lead out of the parking lot, but the hike starts at the big sign at the end of the parking lot.

Gear For the Hike

This is a rough backcountry hike and you should prepare accordingly. Trekking poles and good hiking footwear are handy on the slopes. If you have low gaiters they can be helpful hiking through the loose rock and sand. I bring 3L of water but usually use around 2L unless it's very hot. And when it's very hot, as with most hikes in the desert, the hike can be deadly. It's best done in the cooler months.

Gear That I Love Right Now

Nothing is sponsored or promoted, just the actual gear that I use.

Garmin InReach Mini 2Hit SOS or just tell loved ones that you're running late where your cell phone has no service. Review here.

Topo Pursuit 2The best hiking footwear I've ever owned. No blisters. Get them wet, they dry quickly. Lots of cushion and comfort.

Garmin Epix ProHiking maps, route info, and fitness stats on my wrist. Review here.

Osprey Hikelite 26Lightweight, carries all your gear, and your back doesn't get sweaty. Oh yea, it's also one of the most inexpensive packs you can get.

Check out the complete list here. ( Updated October 2024)

Boo Hoff Trail Maps

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 2 — The trail is well marked with signs like this that often include the trail name.

Use This Map:
View in CalTopo | PDF Map | GPX File

How Will You Navigate?

Using the Apple Watch for Hiking

Garmin Fenix 7 & Epix Review For Hikers

How To Read a Topographic Map

Garmin GPSMAP 67i Review

Elevation Profile

Boo Hoff Trail Elevation — The climb from La Quinta Cove starts gently up a wash, and then gets steep as you hit the foothills. From there you'll descend along Devil Canyon to Lake Cahuilla, and then tackle a smaller climb back to the start.

3D Map

Who is Boo Hoff?

Boo Hoff Historical — This is Boo Hoff. Photo Desert Sun (1969)

Boo Hoff was a member and president of the famous Desert Riders Club, an equestrian group founded in 1930. In Palm Spring's heyday the Desert Riders became "a place to be" in social circles, and included the old movie stars like Clark Gable, Henry Fonda and Cary Grant.
The Desert Riders are responsible for most of the current trail network in the Palm Springs area. Their trail work fortified many of the native paths in the area, and today many of the trails are named after prominent Desert Riders (including the Boo Hoff Trail). I have guides to many more of these trails in the Palm Springs area if you want to explore others.
Why "Boo?" He was born as Mered Arthur Hoff in the Philadelphia suburb of Lansdale in 1911, and when he was a kid, there was a famous Philly gangster (and Al Capone buddy) named Boo-Boo Hoff. His buddies nicknamed him "Boo" after the gangster and it stuck when he moved to the Palm Springs area in the 1950s.
The Boo Hoff Trail was originally a native path called the Old Guadalupe Trail. Boo was known for protecting and rebuilding historic native paths, and in 1979 the trail was renamed after him. At the dedication he was lauded as the man whose "mission is to introduce the beauty and mystery of the Old Guadalupe Trail to those prepared for the challenge."

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 1 — Today you can still see equestrians enjoying the trail.

Boo Hoof Loop Hike Directions

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 6 — Hike through the Cove Trailhead sign.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 7 — Go straight along the road.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 8 — And then bear left onto the beginning of the trail. There are a lot of small use trails around the start. Stay on the larger main trail.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 9 — You'll see a trail marker for the Boo Hoff when you make the turn.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 10 — Follow the wide path toward the hills.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 11 — At the split, bear left.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 12 — And then follow the main trail around the water tanks (and their access trails) on the left. You can see the main trail has a marker (on the right).

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 13 — Keep following the trail markers.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 14 — When you get to the small rise, go up and over.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 15 — The small rise marks the beginning of the National Monument.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 16 — Once over the small rise, there's a junction. Go straight to start on the Boo Hoff Trail.

When you return, you'll come back on the Cove to Lake trail from the left.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 17 — Now we've left the network of confusing trails at the beginning and are just following the one, Boo Hoff Trail, to continue.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 18 — The trail climbs gently up the wash. There are many tracks along the wash from bikes, horses, and people going off-trail. A good amount of trail signs ensure that you're on the right path.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 19 — Go straight past the junction where the connector trail to Cove Oasis joins.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 20 — The trail will dip in and out of the wash a few times. Follow the trail markers.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 21 — You'll see the iron Boo Hoff Trail sign. The trail climbs up to the left from the sign.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 22 — Now the climb begins in earnest.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 23 — Pass the trail counter used to measure trail usage.

Why do the trail counters have American flags on them? Land managers have found that when a trail sign has an American flag on it, it doesn't get vandalized or stolen.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 24 — Follow the main path uphill. Again, there are mountain bike and use trails that criss-cross over the main path on this section.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 25 — At about 2.7 the switchbacks begin, making the climb a bit easier.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 26 — Look back to enjoy incredible views. In the distance are the Little San Bernardino Mountains in Joshua Tree National Park.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 27 — There are several wide viewpoint areas on the climb.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 28 — As you climb you'll be able to see into the Coachella Valley to the east.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 29 — Keep hiking uphill. The trail is well-marked.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 30 — At about 3.5 miles you'll crest the summit. From here you have panoramic views from the Salton Sea to the high peaks of SoCal.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 31 — Continue over the crest.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 32 — And now start the long downhill through a grove of teddy bear cholla and barrel cacti. The trail follows Devil Canyon, which is ahead.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 33 — The descent gets more gradual as you continue.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 34 — You'll cross through several washes, all of which are well-marked.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 35 — Soon you'll approach lower Devil Canyon.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 37 — And then you'll see the other large Boo Hoff Trail sign around 6.4 miles in.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 38 — After the sign we just follow the wash downhill.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 39 — Pass through the wilderness area signs.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 40 — Here's the sign at that last photo, looking backward.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 41 — Now we just follow the wide sand road (still technically the Boo Hoff Trail) downhill. Stay straight on the main road.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 42 — There's still the occasional "Boo Hoff Trail" marker along the way as the road winds to the left.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 43 — At the bottom you'll reach the wall around the residences of "The Quarry at La Quinta," considered one of the best golf courses in the area. As you might guess from the many security cameras along the wall, the area is "members only."

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 44 — The road turns left and comes up to the paved road.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 45 — Once you come up to the paved road, take the road to the right, Jefferson St.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 46 — This is the least-fun section of the hike, but it's not too long. Follow along Jefferson St.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 47 — When you get to the gates of Lake Cahuilla Park, take the sandy trail to the left.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 48 — Follow the trail straight along the residences on the left.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 49 — Look back for nice views of Lake Cahuilla.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 50 — Keep straight past the trail sign.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 51 — And follow the markers for the Cove to Lake Trail, which we'll be taking back to the start.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 52 — The trail climbs out of the wash.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 53 — And you'll hike along the Tom Fazio designed "The Quarry at La Quinta" golf course.

Golf Digest has rated the golf course here as one of “America’s 100 Greatest” every year since the list started in 1994. The course is limited to only 250 members at a time. The course was built on top of the old quarry known as "Keller Pit."

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 54 — You'll descend into the wash along the course.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 55 — And then climb back out.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 56 — The area above the course here is especially beautiful.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 57 — Then look for the (easy to miss) turnoff to descend back into the wash.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 58 — Follow the wash uphill.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 59 — The Cove to Lake trail is well-marked along the wash.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 60 — At the head of the canyon, start the climb up the steeper slope.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 61 — If this is a longer hike for you, this last climb can be tough after the earlier efforts.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 63 — Look back for nice views into the canyon you just ascended.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 62 — At the top of the climb you'll see the Cove Trailhead in the distance.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 64 — Descend into the wash and follow the trail signs.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 65 — Soon you'll reach the junction where you entered the area. Make the right back up the berm to retrace your steps to the start.

Boo Hoff Trail Directions 66 — Retrace your earlier steps back to the Cove Trailhead. That's it!

Need More Info?

Have a question about the guide? Join my Patreon and ask me a question.
When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.
Do you have an update to this guide? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to update the guide.

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This Guide Was Written by Cris Hazzard

Cris Hazzard 4 Mile Trail Yosemite
Hi, I'm Cris Hazzard, aka Hiking Guy, a professional outdoors guide, hiking expert, and author based in Southern California. I created this website to share all the great hikes I do with everyone else out there. This site is different because it gives detailed directions that even the beginning hiker can follow. I also share what hiking gear works and doesn't so you don't waste money. I don't do sponsored or promoted content; I share only the gear recommendations, hikes, and tips that I would with my family and friends. If you like the website and YouTube channel, please support these free guides (I couldn't do it without folks like you!). You can stay up to date with my new guides by following me on YouTube, Instagram, or by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.