The Coachella Valley is perhaps best known for its music festivals and golf courses- and its scorching summer heat. But in the cooler months when the weather is mild, and dare I say, pleasant, there are a number of recreational areas that are open for exploration. One such area is located at the end of Golf Center Parkway and is a geology nerd’s dream, featuring a number of interesting geological features.
We took a mini trip to Indio the weekend before Christmas 2025. Sami was headed off to the Netherlands to visit with her sister while I stayed behind to work. With the new job also came stress and no paid time off, so I took the liberty of heading out for the weekend to celebrate Christmas with Sami before she left. The plan was to spend the weekend floating in the lazy river and watching too much Investigation Discovery as we do on most of our trips to Indio. But the weather was so fine, I decided to try hiking the Indio Hills Badlands again.
This was not the first time I attempted the five mile lollipop loop trail. I explored parts of the trail while on my summer 2023 trip- during a heat wave. While I struck out early, I made it only about two miles according to my Strava. I had hoped that by hiking early enough I could avoid the heat; alas, the temperature had already reached 93 degrees Fahrenheit by 7:22 am, with an expected high of 109. I made the executive decision to not die and turned around.
The weather in December 2025 was much more favorable. The late morning was sunny and with a slight chill, making it the perfect time to try this hike again. We brought plenty of water and sun protection, as the trail offered little shade outside of the slot canyons. We parked along Avenue 42, just west of the small parking area at the end of Golf Center Parkway that had quickly filled up. Apparently there were a number of people who had the same idea for Saturday recreation. Fortunately there is plenty of parking along the street. A quick application of sunscreen and we hit the trail.
While the area had been used for recreation for years, signage and safety improvements were completed at the end of 2020. The trail crosses over the Coachella Canal and for a short stretch shares space with the golf course next door. The space is expansive and it can be easy to get turned around, but the brown trail markers kept us on the right path. The hard pack section gave way to a sandy wash basin, which felt a bit like we were going the wrong way, but we continued hiking straight ahead, and the brown markers reassured us that we were going in the right direction. After just over a half mile or so, we came to the badlands.
The Indio Hills Badlands were formed as a result of several geologic processes taking place over the course of several million years. Sedimentary deposition about 5-6 million years ago resulted in the formation of soft sedimentary rock which eroded with time and flash flooding. Tectonic activity from the nearby southern portion of the San Andreas Fault uplifted the structures, reminiscent of the processes that formed the badlands of Golden Canyon in Death Valley National Park. These processes gave way the interesting geology of the Indio Badleands and makes for a fun hike, complete with slot canyons and some nice views of the desert.
The hike from here was a quick climb up the rocky formations. We followed the trail and watched our steps. While not difficult, the hike is rated moderate for some steep and rocky parts. Furthermore, the slot canyons have some narrow spots, which were also quite interesting and allowed for up close views of the rough sedimentation.
After passing though the slot canyons, the trail widened and we came to a trail sign. We headed left and up, where the rocks made for a nice strenuous staircase.
We huffed to the top of the ‘staircase’ and continued up a several switchbacks. These were not too difficult, but there was no shade and the mild day nevertheless felt very warm. But we made it to the ridgeline, and from there we have some nice 360 views of the badlands and the Coachella Valley.
After taking some photos, we followed to ridgeline and began our descent back down into the canyon. There were a number of interesting rock formations, rocks that were carved into skills or drippy Swiss cheese as a result of wind and water erosion over time. I thought the formations looked rather creepy, but the geology was still rather cool.
After hiking for about two hours, we were starting to get hungry. Fortunately, we were back at the lollipop stick of the loop, and thus about a mile from the car. We crossed back over the basin and back to the shared use area. It was a fun adventure exploring, but it was also time to head back to the resort.
Some things to consider:
While not exactly in the middle of nowhere, the Indio Hills Badlands Trail is in a harsh desert environment. The best time to hike this trail is between October through April, when the weather is typically mild. Summers are extreme in terms of heat, so if you decide to attempt this trail in hot weather, be sure to start early. Even so, temperatures can rise dangerously fast, so it is not recommended. My first time on this trail, I turned around when it got too hot.
There is little shade through many parts of this trail. Plenty of water and sun protection are a must.
The area is prone to flash flooding. This is a force that helped to form the badlands themselves but pose a risk to hikers. Be sure to check weather conditions and if in doubt, it’s better to reschedule.
Dogs on a leash are welcome on the trail. Be sure to follow BARK ranger principles and bring plenty of water for your best fluffy friend.
The parking area is relatively small for popular days, but there is plenty of street parking along Golf Center Parkway and Avenue 42.
I had cell coverage in many parts of the hike, but my phone switched to SOS mode in the canyon. This was great to unplug and relax during a busy season, but not so great if there were to be an emergency. Be sure to let someone know your hiking plans before heading out.
Depending on season and rainfall, the desert floors can give way to some beautiful wildflowers. We were in the wrong season for flowers, but we did see some creosote and even a nice teddy bear cholla.
East Indio Hills Badlands was a pleasant, low key morning adventure. The five mile loop was a perfect hike to keep up fitness without being too strenuous. There was also so much to see; the geology was reminiscent of national parks we have visited. It was definitely an adventure meant to be shared.
Bonus: Hadley’s Date Soft Serve
Hadley Fruit Orchards is famous for date shakes, which in our family, are rather an acquired taste. While the flavor was not bad tasting, I found the shake too grainy for my liking. That said, when I saw that Hadley now had soft serve, I had to try it. Even if I ended up regretting it.
While not as creamy as a regular vanilla soft serve, I still enjoyed the date ice cream. I didn’t taste the graininess this time, and the flavor was not overpowering. The portion was generous, so I split it with Sami. It was a nice sweet treat for the drive. Happy trails!
References:
East Indio Hills Badlands Trail Is New … – Palm Springs Life, http://www.palmspringslife.com/outdoors/hiking-palm-springs/east-indio-hills-badlands-trail/.
The Cranky Camper 