The new Chuckwalla National Monument, a portion of which is in the eastern Coachella Valley, just south of Joshua Tree National Park, was established by President Biden on Jan. 14. Including the Sáttítla Highlands National Monument (located in Northern California), also established by Biden on Jan. 14, 848,000 acres of land in California are now newly protected.
The Chuckwalla National Monument will preserve more than 624,000 acres of lands with extraordinarily diverse ecological, cultural and historical values. The monument will be managed by the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management.
A neighboring tribe, the Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians, led a multiyear campaign with a cohort of other tribes calling for the establishment of the Chuckwalla National Monument. The new monument includes Painted Canyon, sacred land that was once a village for Cahuilla tribal ancestors. Other ancestral homelands and cultural landscapes of the Cahuilla, Chemehuevi, Mojave, Quechan and Serrano people are now protected. More than 50 rare species of plants and animals reside in the region, including the desert bighorn sheep, Agassiz’s desert tortoise and the iconic Chuckwalla lizard, from which the monument gets its name.
A great way to get to know the new Chuckwalla National Monument is to visit a few of the most popular hiking trails and places of interest:
• Painted Canyon and Ladder Canyon Trail, in the Mecca Hills Wilderness area, is a favorite among local hikers. These spectacular trails make for a most adventurous hike—although some of the trails are not suitable for everyone, according to AllTrails. This area involves rock-scrambling, using ropes and climbing several ladders, some as tall as 12 feet, to explore the divine beauty of the colorful and unique slot canyons, which can be quite narrow—but most serene. Hiking options are plentiful and can range from an easy 2 miles to a moderate 4-plus miles with an elevation gain of nearly 800 feet. You can also make it a loop for a longer hike that takes about 2 hours to complete. To reach the trailhead, it’s a rough and slow 5-mile drive on the unpaved, sandy Painted Canyon Road, which is just off Box Canyon Road, at the north end of the Salton Sea, about 15 miles east of Indio. Follow Painted Canyon Road to the end, and you will see the parking area. Dogs are allowed but not recommended in the areas with ladders and ropes.
• Little Box Canyon Trail, off Box Canyon Road, in the Mecca Hills Wilderness area, is a mostly flat and easy 4.5-mile out-and-back through slot canyons with an elevation gain of just 275 feet. This trail might be a bit rocky in areas, but it’s mainly soft sand with a gradual slight incline. It’s great for beginners and should take about 1.5 hours to complete. To reach this trail from Highway 111, continue east on 66th Avenue; it will turn into Box Canyon Road at the Painted Canyon Road turnoff. Continue ahead for 6 miles, and park off the pavement along the right-side shoulder of Box Canyon Road. No dogs are allowed on this trail.
• Corn Springs Trail/Campground is a remote scenic fan palm oasis located deep in a canyon of the Chuckwalla Mountains in the northern portion of the monument. The oasis consists of more than 60 California fan palms, aka Washingtonia filifera, named after our first president, George Washington. These spectacular palms reach as high as 70 feet, providing nesting for birds and bats. Also, an extensive array of petroglyphs can be found near Corn Springs, dating back as far as 10,000 years. The campground is located about 10 miles from Interstate 10; take exit 201, and head down Chuckwalla Valley Road south to Corn Springs Road. Turn right, and follow that road 6.8 miles. Beyond the camping and hiking trails, this is a popular area for bird watching and more. Leashed dogs are allowed. This historical area has been operated by the BLM since 1968.
When visiting or hiking these sacred and protected areas—or any area, for that matter—remember to “leave no trace.” Learn more about the seven principles of “leave no trace” at lnt.org/why/7-principles.
Always be prepared, and know your route. These areas are very remote, with extreme temperatures and high winds. It’s a good idea to avoid these areas during the hottest months (July, August and September). Don’t hike alone, and always tell someone where you’re going. Wear a brimmed hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and layered clothing—and always bring more water than you should need, at least 2-3 liters per person, a liter per hour of hiking.
Painted Canyon Road and Box Canyon Road can be closed seasonally due to weather conditions, so check road conditions before planning your hike. Also, travel with a full tank of gas in these remote areas, as the nearest gas station may be several miles away.
Upcoming Events
Experience nature at its best with a trail run/walk at the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument at 8 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 22. Join Friends of the Desert Mountains as they celebrate wildflowers, wellness and wildlands. Friends of the Desert Mountains is celebrating 38 years of conservation in Coachella Valley, and your participation will help them continue saving our desert. Wear trail-running shoes or hiking boots for this 2.5-mile run/walk that starts at the Randall Henderson Trailhead, located just off Highway 74. All ages are welcome, but no dogs or strollers are allowed on the trail. The entrance fee is $35 per person and includes a T-shirt for those who sign up prior to Feb. 1; after that, registration is $40. Kids 12 and younger can register for free, but this does not include a T-shirt. Register and get more details at www.desertmountains.org/event/2025-wildflower-trail-run-walk.
• Join Friends of the Desert Mountains yet again from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 1, for the 18th annual Coachella Valley Wildflower Festival at Palm Desert Civic Center Park, at 43900 San Pablo. This great event is free for all ages and offers shopping, information booths, local artists, enchanting wildflower displays, a raffle and fun times with live music. An interactive Kids’ Zone and a nature-inspired youth art contest will be featured; local food trucks and beverage concessions will be available, with a beer and wine garden for adults. This event helps promote education, environmental stewardship, land conservancy and an appreciation of the beautiful surrounding desert mountains. Learn more at www.desertmountains.org/event/the-coachella-valley-wildflower-festival.