Big Morongo Canyon Preserve

Description:
Due to the year-around oasis of running water in a parched desert land, and the fact that it is on a major migration route, this is a true birding “hot spot.” In the parking entrance are large Fremont Cottonwoods, lush and verdant-green in the spring and a gorgeous citrine-yellow in late fall. A stand of Fan Palms on the south side separates the alluvial field grasses and scrub.

Most birders come during the cooler months of migration, April-May and September-October, but, for the hardy, there is good birding all year. All of the trails are well marked. Through the major stands of willows, sycamores and poplars, a raised boarded-walk winds over the marsh and running water, accommodating wheelchair-birders and the tired and re-tired.

Directions:
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is in Morongo Valley and lies directly north of Palm Springs. Between Banning and Indio, take I-10 to Highway 62 North, toward Twenty Nine Palms and Joshua Tree National Park, to Morongo Valley— it’s the first plateau. The grade quickly rises to the Mojave Desert and plateaus at 2,600 feet elevation. Passing through the village of Morongo, look for East Street on the right side, just beyond the north end of the business section (Approx. 10.5 Miles). Look for the sign and turn right about 300 yards to the entrance.