Palms to Pines Scenic Byway
This scenic driving tour climbs from the desert through the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains, before descending again to the desert.
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Outdoors
Picnic spots near Palm Desert
Day-use and picnic areas near Palm Desert on public land, from quick drives to full-day outings.
Good to know: Group picnic sites can often be reserved; fire rules change with the season, so check before bringing a grill.
Within 30 miles (7)
Lake Cahuilla
Surronded by the stark beauty of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Lake Cahuilla (pronounced Kah-wee-ah) is a favorite recreation area in the Coachella Valley.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
- Water sports
Black Mountain (San Bernardino)
Black Mountain Road is is poor condition at this time. 4 Wheel Drive is recommended. The road is currently a high-priority for maintenance, which should be occuring in June, 2023.
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Boulder Basin
Black Mountain Road is is poor condition at this time. A four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle is recommended with a minimum ground clearance of 6 inches. Drive at your own risk.
- Backpacking
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
- Picnicking
Mecca Hills Wilderness
The Mecca Hills Wilderness now contains a total of 26,242 acres and is managed by the BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office . All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Sheep Pass Group
Download the NPS app prior to visiting the park – trail maps and more! Sheep Pass Group Campground is centrally located within Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California and is easily accessible to hiking trails and rock climbing…
- Camping
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
Indian Cove Campground
Download the NPS app prior to visiting the park – trail maps and more! Indian Cove Campground lies amid the huge, steep rock formations for which Joshua Tree National Park is known.
- Backpacking
- Camping
- Evening Programs
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Ranger Station
- Rock Climbing
30 to 75 miles (4)
Indian Flats Campground
17 sites. Pacific Crest Trail Access. No Water. The nearest water can be found at the Warner Springs Gas Station.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
Cottonwood Group
Download the NPS app prior to visiting the park – trail maps and more! Cottonwood Group Campground is one of the best places in Joshua Tree National Park for stargazing and wildflower viewing.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
Joshua Tree National Park
Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain.
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
Cleveland National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Palm Desert. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
More outdoors near Palm Desert
Questions
Where is the closest place for picnic spots near Palm Desert?
Palms to Pines Scenic Byway (Bureau of Land Management), about 4 miles southwest of Palm Desert as the crow flies. Next are Lake Cahuilla (8 mi) and Black Mountain (San Bernardino) (22 mi).
When is the best time for picnic spots near Palm Desert?
Based on Palm Desert’s average highs, November–April. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.