The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument is a remarkable protected area located in Southern California. Established in 2000, this national monument encompasses portions of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto mountain ranges, offering a unique blend of desert and mountain environments. With its diverse landscapes, abundant wildlife, and a variety of recreational opportunities, the monument provides a captivating experience for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Environment: The monument's landscape is characterized by dramatic elevation changes, ranging from the arid desert floor of the Coachella Valley to the lofty peaks of the San Jacinto Mountains, which reach elevations over 10,000 feet. This varied topography creates a mosaic of habitats, supporting a wide array of plant and animal life. From lush palm oases to forests of pine and fir, the monument's environment is both diverse and breathtaking.
Services and Facilities: As a national monument focused on preserving the natural environment, services and facilities are intentionally limited to minimize human impact and maintain the wilderness character of the area. However, visitors can generally expect:
It's important to note that camping facilities are not available within the monument itself, but nearby campgrounds and lodging options can be found in the surrounding communities.
Activities and Features: The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument offers a range of activities and features for visitors to enjoy:
Park Promotion Information:
The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument offers a remarkable opportunity to explore the beauty and diversity of Southern California's desert and mountain landscapes. Whether you're an avid hiker, a wildlife enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates stunning scenery, this national monument is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Onsite services
Picnics
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Hiking
Good for kids
Kid-friendly hikes
Dogs allowed
The weather was perfect for a summer morning hike. We took the Desert view trail and enjoyed resting at each lookout.
Beautiful! Great trail system around the visitor centre, but the trail up top is closed. For more of a challenge, cross the road, and go up the Art Smith trail. Scenic, the first parts look out over Big Horn, and then go further up into the mountains. Very challenging, but no water stops so bring lots!
Where do I begin?!!! This experience was stellar, amazing, breathtaking just to say in a few words. Some friends and I went on the tram on our way up and the views were captivating. The air is crisp and clean. You can't beat the scenic view up there. It was simply marvelous. The pictures I took didn't even do it justice. To see it with your eyes it is truly unbelievable!!! Definitely a place to come back too, the staff was out of this world, friendly, funny and made us feel at ease.
This is a must see and do if you are visiting the Palm Springs area. You start by driving up the mountain road to the entrance to the park which is located close to the downtown area. Then catch a ride up the tram to the top of the mountain and catch the beautiful views while you are riding up the mountain. By the way the tram floor rotates in a circle around inside so everyone gets to see the beauty. Be prepared for the odd feeling when the floor starts to move. It is very slow but does take some getting used to. There are many activities to do once you are on the top of the mountain. Take advantage of all the hiking trails coursing through the park. There are also shops and restaurants at the top that are worth looking into. We spent a good half day there and still could go back to see more. Definitely a Must-See for any family.
Great hikes of all types. Rangers and trading post staff very friendly and informative. The palm canyon trail is absolutely beautiful and very managable. We were fortunate that the weather wasn't too hot high 80's snd low 90's with a breeze! Andreas hike wad also amazing with water running along the trail.