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 (Sep 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.

My Latest Gear Picks

Garmin inReach Mini 2 ( Amazon | REI )
HOKA Speedgoat 5 ( Men | Women )
Zpacks Sub-Nero Ultra ( Zpacks | Review )
Alpine Carbon Cork 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 September 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

Best Smartphone Apps to Navigate: AllTrails | GaiaGPS | OnX

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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Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 7 — Read the trail board for any notices and continue on.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 8 — Continue past the trout pond.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 9 — Right after that is a neat trail distance sign on a stone, along with an interpretive display just past it.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 10 — Continue straight down the path, avoiding side trails.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 11 — When you get to the junction, make the right to continue on the loop trail.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 12 — Your next landmark is the Pacific Crest Trail in 0.5 miles.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 13 — Shortly after the last trail sign, make the left at the post to continue on the trail.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 14 — Follow the trail towards the river and bluffs.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 15 — You'll cross the river on a few little wooden bridges.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 16 — Head up this marvelously engineered stone staircase.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 17 — You'll see a sign letting you know that you're entering the San Gorgonio Wilderness.

What is a Wilderness Area?

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 18 — When you get to the PCT junction, make the left and start heading uphill.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 19 — I love that the trail sign has the distance to Canada on it (via the PCT). We're just doing the slightly more modest Canyon View Loop today; three miles to go.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 20 — Start climbing out of the canyon on the PCT.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 21 — You'll get some great views into the canyon as you climb.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 22 — Switchbacks make the effort manageable.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 23 — You'll head away from the canyon, and if you look closely, you'll be able to see the trail climbing up the hillside and through the notch ahead.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 24 — At the top, make the left.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 25 — You made it to the high point! Head straight down the trail. For the next mile or two you'll be treated to nice views.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 26 — Look for small use trails to the left which offer panoramic views into Whitewater Canyon.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 27 — Continue on the trail as it heads away from the edge. The big mountain ahead of you is Mt San Jacinto, which you can summit from the bottom (Cactus to Clouds), or with the help of a tram ride.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 28 — Avoid the side trails on the left for a hot second.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 29 — Until the main trail swings around and comes to the edge.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 30 — From here you'll be able to see down into the visitor's center area at Whitewater Preserve.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 31 — And the lower peaks of the San Gorgonio Wilderness.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 32 — After you soak in the views, continue down the trail.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 33 — The trail goes along a fence, which is next to the sheer cliff.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 34 — And then at the end of the plateau you'll start the descent.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 35 — Follow the switchbacks downhill to the canyon.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 36 — Towards the bottom the trail makes a hard left and is marked as such.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 37 — And then you pop back out on the road. Walk up the road for a few minutes.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 38 — And look for this marked trail sign on the left after you cross the river. There are a bunch of unofficial paths before this. Go until you see the trail sign.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 39 — The trail is flanked with stones as it winds its way up the wash. If you're not walking on a path like this, you're not on the official trail.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 40 — There's a marker half-way up pointing you to the right. And again, the trail is flanked with stones.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 41 — This part of the hike is really pretty. You'll get nice views of the mountains as you head up the wash.

Whitewater Preserve Hike Directions 42 — And soon you'll end up back at the parking lot by the visitor's center. That's the hike.

Have a question about the guide or want to see what other people are saying/asking? View the Youtube comments for this video. Leave a comment and I will do my best to respond.

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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!).

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