Whitewater Preserve Hike - Canyon View Loop Trail

4 miles - Moderate Effort
2-3 Hours (Total)
790 Total Feet of Climbing
Max Elevation of 2,760 feet
Leashed Dogs Allowed

One of my favorite hikes, the Canyon View Loop Trail at the Whitewater Preserve, between Palm Springs and Joshua Tree, offers beauty at every twist and turn. The well-marked trail follows the Whitewater River Canyon until it reaches the iconic PCT and then climbs up to a bluff that offers non-stop views into the canyon and high peaks of the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area. It's a hike that's worth making a trip for, so give it a try.

In this Guide:

Video and Turn-by-Turn Canyon View Loop Trail Directions
Getting to the Trailhead in Whitewater Preserve
Insider Hike Tips for the Canyon View Loop Trail

Quick Links: Whitewater Preserve - NOAA Weather Report - Top Gear Picks (Mar 2023)

When planning, always check the park website and social media to make sure the trails are open. Similarly, check the weather and road conditions.

Where is Whitewater Preserve?

Whitewater Preserve is a few miles up the Whitewater River from Interstate 10. The hike starts from the visitor's center area, which also offers bathrooms and picnic tables. Unlike most hikes where you can show up and hike whenever you want, Whitewater Preserve usually has opening hours and is closed some days to give the wildlife some space. Check the link at the beginning of the guide to confirm the hours.

Use this trailhead address:
Whitewater Preserve, 9160 Whitewater Canyon Rd, Whitewater, CA 92282

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 3 — There's a big parking lot as soon as you pull in.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 5 — If that lot is full just go straight and there's another, larger parking lot.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 4 — There are a ton of picnic benches in the shade to chill out and relax at.

Whitewater Preserve Trail Start — The Canyon View Loop Trail starts right at the entrance to the Preserve visitor area.

If you park in the lot, take note of the closing time. The gates are locked and you may be stuck in there.

Whitewater Preserve Alternate Parking

There are times when the Whitewater Preserve visitor's area is closed, but the trails are still open. Again, check the link at the top of this guide for the specifics. When this is the case, you can't park at the main lots and have to start the loop hike downs the road from the visitor's center.

Whitewater Preserve Trail Alternate Start — The alternate parking is a few minutes down the road from the visitor's center area entrance.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 2 — The alternate parking area is along the road, just before you cross the river. If you go further up the road, it's all no-parking.

Gear for the Hike

This hike is in the desert, and in the summer, it can get very hot. I recommend going early or in a cooler season and still bringing some sun protection. Bring at least 1L of water for the loop hike. The trail is sandy in places but otherwise very well manicured. I use light hiking gear, but you can get away with fitness clothing.

Top Spring 2023 Gear Picks

Osprey Stratos and Sirrus 24 Daypack ( Amazon | Sirrus REI | Stratos REI )
Garmin Mini 2 Satellite Communicator ( Amazon | REI )
Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles ( REI | Amazon )
As a hiking guide, I test lots of hiking gear. On my picks page, I'll show you all of the gear that I actually use. I don't accept paid promotions or talk about the stuff that doesn't make the cut. It's just the gear that works best, so you don't have to waste your money.

All My March 2023 Top Gear Picks

Whitewater Preserve Canyon View Loop Trail Maps

Explore Map on CalTopo View a Printable PDF Hike Map Download the Hike GPX File

Free Nav Tools: GaiaGPS - AllTrails

Guides to Help You Navigate

How To Use the AllTrails App (Beginners)

Hiking With Gaia GPS For Beginners

How-To Use Routes, Tracks, and Waypoints on Garmin

How To Read a Topographic Map

Elevation Profile

Whitewater Preserve Hike Canyon View Loop Trail Elevation — While there's about 700 feet of climbing, if you're in decent shape, it's not a big deal. The climb has switchbacks to make the gradient easier.

3d Map

Hike Brief

Whitewater Trout Farm Historic Photo — The area around the visitor center used to be the Whitewater Trout Farm. You can see the trout pools when you start the hike. When it went out of business in 2006, local conservation groups bought the area and it eventually came into the care of the Wildlands Conservancy. Photo circa 1950s from Banning Library District

The Whitewater Preserve is home to endangered peninsular bighorn sheep, bears, coyotes, and mountain lions. Generally you won't see any of these animals, but occasionally, if you keep your eyes open on the hills above you, you may spot a bighorn.
In order to return the land back to its original state, the Wildlands Conservancy has removed old buildings, roads, non-native plants, and has restored the river from a muddy cattle bog to the crystal clear water you see today.
The Whitewater River, which you follow on the hike, starts high in the mountains and flows down to Palm Springs. When it's flooded and raging, the river sometimes flows out into the Salton Sea. Generally the area is closed when flooded, but even the "normal" river levels can be deadly. There is a death from being swept away in the river every few years. Enter the water with extreme caution, if at all.
PCT thru-hikers often make the short detour to camp at the Whitewater Preserve visitor's center area.
The Sand to Snow National Monument, which this hike is located in, was inspired by the Wildlands Conservancy's Sand to Snow Interface Project.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions

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Video Directions

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!).

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