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Mission Creek Preserve Featured
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Palm Springs Hiking Trails

Mission Creek Preserve Hike

  • 3.4 miles - Easy Effort
  • 1-2 Hours (Total)
  • 340 Total Feet of Climbing
  • Max Elevation of 2,445 feet
  • Leashed Dogs Allowed

The Mission Creek Preserve hike is a great family-friendly adventure that offers a little bit of everything in an easy package. You'll be able to visit the ruins of an old "glamping" resort, follow a creek that started high in the mountains and is now irrigating the desert, pass a rare wetland, enjoy views of the high peaks, and then visit an old stone ranch house. The trail is wide, the climbs gradual, and it's easy to follow. Even if you're an experienced hiker, there's enough beauty here to warrant at least one visit.

In this Guide:
  • Video and Turn-by-Turn Directions For the Mission Creek Preserve Hike
  • Parking & Trailhead Information
  • Gear Recommendations & Hike Tips

How to Get to Mission Creek Preserve

The Mission Creek Preserve hike is located off of Rt-62, which connects Palm Springs with Joshua Tree. Once you pull off Rt-62, it's a 2.5 mile drive down a sandy, unpaved road to the trailhead. The good news is that the road is sandy and smooth, and is doable by low-clearance vehicles. Just don't plan on going over 20mph.

Use this trailhead address:
Mission Creek Preserve, 60550 Mission Creek Rd, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240

Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 1
The 2.5 miles from Rt-62 to the hike start are on this sand road. It's wide and doable with regular cars.
Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 2
You'll pass the sign for the Preserve as you drive in. Keep driving past this until the road dead-ends at the parking area.
Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 3
The parking lot isn't huge, but often has space because of the remoteness of this hike. If it's full, you can park along the side of the road.

Gear For the Hike

This is an exposed desert hike. When it's hot outside, you need to prepare accordingly or skip the hike altogether. Winter is the sweet spot for a visit. I always bring 1L of water here. Otherwise it's an easy hike up a dirt road, and you can wear light hiking gear or fitness clothes. The rocky trail is best done with good footwear that keeps the rocks out.

Gear That I Love Right Now

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

Gear Inreach Mini 2
Garmin InReach Mini 2Hit SOS or just tell loved ones that you're running late where your cell phone has no service.  Review here.
Mtn Racer 3 Gear
Topo MTN RacerAggressive and fun with a wide toe box (=no blisters). Get them wet, they dry quickly. Lots of cushion and comfort.
Hikelite 26 Gear
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 December 2024)

Mission Creek Preserve Trail Maps

If you can walk down a dirt road, you can do this hike. I've included detailed directions below with images and video, but basically you'll be walking up the road to the old stone house, and then back.

Click Here To View

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

Elevation Profile

Mission Creek Preserve Hike Elevation
The hike climbs about 300 feet in about 1.6 miles, which is very easy. There are some small uphill gradients, but in general it feels like just walking up a gently climbing road. And of course, on the way back, it's all downhill.

3d Map

Mission Creek Preserve Hike 3d Map
The trail makes its way up along Mission Creek, then turns away toward the end for the last stretch to the stone house.

Mission Creek Preserve History

Historic Mission Creek Photo Calisphere
The stone buildings at the start of the hike used to be a dude ranch called the T Cross K Guest Ranch. Think of it as an early form of glamping.  Photo from Calisphere / University of California.

Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions

Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 4
You can't miss the start, look for the huge ranch gate, an homage to the original dude ranch. Head through the gate.
Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 5
Head straight past the trail sign. We're hiking to the Stone House Picnic Area.
Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 6
You'll pass a trail board shortly after that. Check out the board for any trail updates or notices.
Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 7
There's also an old hiker logbook here. The log is long gone unfortunately.
Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 8
After the trail board you'll see the old ranch houses to your right. You can climb over and explore them now or on the way back. You'll also find an old pool and stone chimney, the only thing left of the main house where guests dined.
Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 9
Each cabin has a stone picnic table with some shade. A great place for a rest when the sun is beating down.
Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 10
After the cabins, you're going to hike up the dirt road. It looks pretty much like this the whole way to the end.
Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 11
On your left will be Mission Creek, which comes down from the high mountains and flows all year. The creek is also the location of the Mission Creek strand of the San Andreas Fault.
Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 12
As you approach a mile into the hike, you'll see the tall cottonwood tree poking out of the Painted Hills Wetlands.
Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 13
And soon the wetlands will be on your right. It's amazing to think that you have a wet, marshy area in the middle of such a dry landscape. The wetlands attracts many bird watchers. Try to spot a Bell's vireo and southwestern willow flycatcher, both endangered species that call this wetland home.
Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 14
When you pass the wetlands, the trail curves sharply to the right. Avoid the side trail on the left.
Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 15
You'll have a short uphill section as the trail skirts around the wetlands.
Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 16
You'll pass an old stone wall and foundation to the right.
Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 17
At this point you'll get some nice views of Mount San Gorgonio to your left. It's the highest point in Southern California at 11,503 feet. In the winter there's often snow, which is a great contrast with the brown desert.
Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 18
Soon you'll arrive at a big parking lot. Head to the corner of the other side.
Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 19
You'll see the stone house, another remanent of the ranch days. There are doors on either side, just head in either one.
Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 22
The interior is in great shape and includes picnic tables and informational displays.
Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 20
There's also a great old hearth that serves as a good photo background.
Mission Creek Preserve Hike Directions 21
There are restrooms around the back of the stone house.

Once you're finished, you just hike back the way you came. If you'd like to drive to the stone house without the hike, or would like to camp here, you can contact Mission Preserve (use the website link at the beginning of the guide) and request access.

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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.