The 880-acre Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve, part of the Coachella Valley, offers hiking and equestrian trails of varying difficulty levels as well as picnicking facilities. The trails are open year-round but the visitor center, 29200 Thousand Palms Canyon Rd., is open September through May. Guided hikes are occasionally held. Note: the parking lot cannot accommodate a lot of vehicles. Phone (760) 343-2733.

Thousand Palms Chamber of Commerce 72-715 La Canada Way THOUSAND PALMS, CA 92276. Phone:(760)343-1988

Covered Wagon Tours