Question 1

What is the closest backpacking trip to Palm Desert?

Accepted Answer

Boy Scout Trail is the closest documented trip to Palm Desert at roughly 25 miles (about 28 minutes of driving) from the Boy Scout Backcountry Trailhead trailhead.

Question 2

Do I need a permit to backpack near Palm Desert?

Accepted Answer

Many routes near Palm Desert, including Boy Scout Trail, require a wilderness permit from Joshua Tree National Park (NPS). Always check the managing agency before you go.

Question 3

When is the best season to backpack near Palm Desert?

Accepted Answer

For Boy Scout Trail — the closest trip to Palm Desert — the best months are October, November, March, April.

#	Trip	Miles away	Est. drive	Distance	Gain	Difficulty	Permit
1	Boy Scout Trail Joshua Tree National Park	25 mi	~28 min	15.6 mi	1,600 ft	14	Required
2	Vivian Creek Trail to San Gorgonio San Gorgonio Wilderness	39 mi	~44 min	15.6 mi	10,800 ft	61	Required
3	South Fork Trail to Dry Lake San Gorgonio Wilderness	41 mi	~46 min	11.4 mi	4,400 ft	31	Required
4	Forsee Creek to Johns Meadow San Gorgonio Wilderness	43 mi	~47 min	7.8 mi	1,600 ft	12	Required
5	San Bernardino Peak Trail San Gorgonio Wilderness	45 mi	~51 min	17.8 mi	9,300 ft	55	Required
6	Trans-Catalina Trail Channel Islands	116 mi	~129 min	38.5 mi	7,638 ft	49	Required
7	Cottonwood Pass to Chicken Spring Lake Inyo National Forest	214 mi	~238 min	15 mi	2,962 ft	30	Required
8	New Army Pass via Cottonwood Lakes Inyo National Forest	217 mi	~241 min	9.6 mi	3,596 ft	33	Required
9	Mount Whitney Trail Inyo National Forest	224 mi	~249 min	21.4 mi	6,460 ft	49	Required
10	Timber Gap Trail Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	227 mi	~252 min	9.7 mi	4,780 ft	32	Required
11	Black Rock Pass Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	227 mi	~252 min	13.7 mi	8,954 ft	54	Required
12	Monarch Lakes Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks	227 mi	~252 min	7.1 mi	4,162 ft	30	Required

Best backpacking trips near Palm Desert, CA