Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument

The protected mountain wall of the valley, running from palm-oasis canyons to the pine country around Mount San Jacinto, co-managed by the BLM and Forest Service. The visitor center on Highway 74, four miles above Palm Desert, is the best starting point — trail maps, ranger advice, and the short paved Ed Hastey Garden Trail loop. Signature hikes like Art Smith leave from the valley floor; carry more water than you think you need.