Thousand Palms Oasis - 02/26/20

February 26, 2020
Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve
Thousand Palms, California

We visited the Thousand Palms Oasis on February 26, 2020. We were amazed to discover this thriving palm grove oasis surrounded by a vast desert environment. The oasis is located within the Coachella Valley Preserve.

The oasis was homesteaded in 1900 by Albert Thornburg. In 1905, rancher Louis Wilhelm traded two mules and a buckboard wagon for the Thousands Palm Oasis. At that time it was an 80-acre parcel of land in the heart of the Southern California desert. Wilhelm always envisioned the oasis as a public park, which it has been since 1984. The preserve now encompasses some 20,000 plus acres and is jointly owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy, Bureau of Land Management, Wildlife Service, California Department of Fish & Game and California Department of Parks & Recreation.

The San Andreas fault slashes across this valley, and the groundwater that it forces toward the surface provides a natural habitat for the California fan palms and the endangered Coachella Valley Fringe-Toed Lizard. that thrive in this environment.

A rustic visitors center, built in the 1930s from vertical palm trunks, is the original homestead and is staffed by volunteers. It contains displays of the natural and historic features of the preserve. There are no user fees, but donations are gratefully accepted.

There are easy hiking trails that meander throughout the palm tree oasis. There are over 25 miles of hiking trails on the Preserve.

The parking area is located off Thousand Palms Canyon Road. The parking lot can get crowded at times. No RV's or campers are allowed in the parking lot, it is just not big enough to accommodate these type of vehicles. We observed motorhomes, 5th wheel trailers and vehicles towing travel trailers parked on the shoulder of the Thousand Palms Canyon Road.

No dogs or other pets are allowed in the Coachella Valley Preserve as they disturb wildlife. Whitewater Preserve allows dogs, but you are required to clean up after them.

Hours of Operation:
May through September: 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.
October through April: 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.

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