Tahquitz Canyon Tours and Tickets

General admission to Tahquitz Canyon, which is required for day hikes, costs US$15. Tickets for kids ages 6–12 cost US$7, while younger children and military personnel get in for free. You can buy an annual pass to visit Tahquitz Canyon as often as you like for US$125.

Tahquitz Canyon is open to visitors 7:30am–5pm, and the latest you can enter the park is 3:30pm. Note that opening days vary seasonally: The trail is accessible daily from October 1 to July 4 and operates Friday–Sunday for the rest of the year.

Yes, you can take a guided hike at Tahquitz Canyon. Ranger-led interpretive hikes are free with admission, and you can sign up at the visitor center after buying your ticket. Tours are available a few times a day from October to June and at 8am from July to September.

The Tahquitz Canyon loop trail, which runs from the visitor center to Tahquitz Falls and back, is 1.8 miles (2.9 kilometers) long. With 350 feet (107 meters) of elevation gain, it’s considered a moderate-to-strenuous hike. Most people spend about an hour on the trail.

Every Tahquitz Canyon hiker is required to bring at least 32 ounces (945 milliliters) of drinking water for safety reasons—the desert sun is intense even in winter. Pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, and wear hiking shoes for the steep, rocky trail. Don’t bring your dog—pets aren’t allowed.

Yes, parking is free with admission to Tahquitz Canyon. Find the lot, as well as a few overflow spots, to the east of the visitor center, and allow yourself plenty of time to find a spot. Spaces can fill up quickly on weekends and at popular hiking times, including mid-morning.