East Indio Hills Badlands Trail

The East Indio Hills Badlands Trail is a moderately challenging loop that leads hikers through one of the Coachella Valley’s most distinctive geological landscapes. The approximately 5.2-mile route passes through sandy washes, narrow passages, exposed sedimentary layers and rugged ridgelines, gaining roughly 777 feet in elevation before revealing expansive views across the eastern Coachella Valley.

The Badlands are part of the larger Indio Hills, a low ridge uplifted and deformed by movement along the San Andreas Fault system. Water and wind have gradually carved the area’s softer sedimentary material into the folded ridges, gullies and small slot canyons visible along the trail today. Because the route has virtually no shade and includes loose, uneven terrain, it is best explored during the cooler fall, winter and early-spring months. Hikers should carry plenty of water and avoid the area during extreme heat or when storms could produce flash flooding.

Related places and guides:

• Explore Indio, California
• Learn About the San Andreas Fault
• Discover the Coachella Valley Preserve
• Learn About the Little San Bernardino Mountains