Free & Cheap Things to Do in Palm Springs

Hiking & Nature

The ancestral home of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, these palm-lined desert canyons hold the world's largest fan-palm oasis. Trails in Palm, Andreas, and Murray canyons wind past streams, waterfalls, and thousands of native California fan palms beneath red-rock walls — a stunning, surprisingly green escape just minutes from downtown.

Address: 38520 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264

Tip: Free ranger-led interpretive hikes are included with admission (Friday-Sunday). In summer the canyons are open weekends only, with the last vehicle admitted at 4pm. Start early and carry plenty of water — there's little shade on the longer loops.

Hiking & Nature

A short, spectacular Agua Caliente canyon hike leading to a 60-foot seasonal waterfall, tucked right at the edge of downtown Palm Springs. The two-mile loop passes ancient rock art, native plants, and the rocky pools made famous in the film Lost Horizon — one of the best-value outdoor adventures in the desert.

Address: 500 W Mesquite Ave, Palm Springs, CA 92264

Tip: Free 2.5-hour ranger-led interpretive hikes are included with admission. Summer hours are Friday-Sunday only, with the last hiker on the trail at 3:30pm. The trail is rocky with some scrambling, so wear real shoes and bring water.

Gardens

A delightfully eccentric one-acre cactus garden founded in 1938 by Patricia and 'Cactus Slim' Moorten, an original Keystone Cop. More than 3,000 desert plants from around the world crowd the winding paths, and the 'Cactarium' — the world's first — shelters rare specimens under glass. A charming, old-school slice of Palm Springs.

Address: 1701 S Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92264

Tip: At $7 a head it's one of the best-value attractions in town. The garden is compact — about 30-45 minutes — and best in the cooler morning hours. Closed Wednesdays. A quick, photogenic stop on South Palm Canyon Drive.

Gardens & Architecture

The 'Camp David of the West' — the Annenberg estate that hosted presidents and royalty — opens its Center and 9 acres of arid gardens to the public for free. Wander geometric desert plantings inspired by the estate's Impressionist art, watch a film on its history, and take in mountain views framed by midcentury design.

Address: 37977 Bob Hope Dr, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270

Tip: Admission and parking to the Center & Gardens are always free; only the guided tours of the historic house cost money (and sell out fast). It's in Rancho Mirage, about 12 miles east. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays and during the summer.

Arts & Culture

A surprisingly deep modern and contemporary art museum, strong in midcentury California design, Western and Native American art, and glass. Rotating exhibitions fill bright, sculpture-dotted galleries, and the adjacent Architecture and Design Center celebrates the desert modernism Palm Springs is famous for.

Address: 101 Museum Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Tip: Admission is completely free every Thursday evening from 5 to 8pm, with live music and a buzzy crowd. If you visit another day, regular admission runs about $25. It's an easy walk from the downtown Walk of Stars.

Shops & Downtown

More than 400 golden stars are embedded in the downtown sidewalks along Palm Canyon Drive, honoring celebrities with Palm Springs ties — from Sinatra and Monroe to Elvis. It's a free, self-guided stroll through the heart of the walkable downtown, lined with midcentury storefronts, galleries, restaurants, and the Thursday-night VillageFest market.

Address: Palm Canyon Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Tip: Completely free and open any time. Time a Thursday-evening visit for VillageFest, when Palm Canyon Drive closes to traffic for a street fair of art, food, and produce. Pair it with the free Thursday night at the Art Museum nearby.

Hiking & Nature

A 20,000-acre desert preserve where the San Andreas Fault forces groundwater to the surface, sustaining lush groves of native fan palms in the Thousand Palms Oasis. Free trails like the McCallum Trail lead through stark dunes and badlands to shady, surreal palm groves alive with birds and the endangered fringe-toed lizard.

Address: Thousand Palms Canyon Rd, Thousand Palms, CA 92276

Tip: Open daily sunrise to sunset, free. Note: the visitor center is closed and storm damage took out the oasis boardwalk, but the trails and palm groves remain open — wear sturdy shoes. Avoid midday in summer; there's no water or services on site.

History & Aviation

One of the world's great collections of flyable World War II, Korea, and Vietnam-era aircraft, displayed in open hangars you can walk right up to. Volunteer veterans share firsthand stories, and on many weekends the warbirds actually fly. A genuinely moving, hands-on aviation experience.

Address: 745 N Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Tip: Kids 12 and under are free with a paid adult, active-duty military and family are free, and EBT cardholders get the $5 Museums for All rate. Open daily 10am-5pm. The hangars are partly open-air, so it's warm in summer.