60550 Mission Creek Rd, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
Hours:
- Monday – Sunday (Dawn to Dusk)
Overview
The recently installed Sand to Snow National Monument encompasses three great preserves in the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, the Whitewater Preserve and the Mission Creek Preserve. While all three are worth visiting, the Mission Creek Preserve deserves its own portion of time to explore.
The Mission Creek Preserve was once home to the Mission Band of Sonoran Indians and after that served as a dude ranch. Guests will park outside a locked gate and will need to hike 1.6 miles (one way) to reach the main attraction of the Mission Creek Preserve, which is a “Stonehouse” that sits as a remnant of the sites ranch days. Flush toilets and picnic tables, as well as camping are available here as well. The Stonehouse is unlocked and able to be entered and walked through.
Visiting the Mission Creek Preserve
A short stroll from the Stonehouse will bring visitors to Mission Creek, where they can dip their feet in the water and enjoy a stunning setting with canyon walls in every direction. The Mission Creek boundary is a short stroll from here and for those craving a bit more adventure, a 2 mile trail (one way) leads to the Pacific Crest Trail Junction, while a 6.5 mile trail (one way) will connect hikers to the Whitewater Preserve, with lots of great sights along the way. While that distance can seem like a lot, there is very little incline and the trail is pretty straight forward and leisurely.
The Mission Creek Preserve is a great place to spend an afternoon with the family and can easily be done in a day while incorporating other sites as well. For those not wanting to make the 1.6 mile hike to the stonehouse, you may contact the Wildlands Conservancy and fill out a permit to obtain the gate code and drive the 1.6 mile dirt road to the Stonehouse. They ask that you do this at least 3 days in advance of your trip.
Scout’s Story and Day at Mission Creek Preserve
While our family has visited the Big Morongo Valley Preserve and the Whitewater Preserve numerous times, we had not yet had the opportunity to visit the Mission Creek Preserve. As we would be staying the night in Indio, Mission Creek Preserve proved to be a great stop on our way to our destination. I obtained the permit and gate code to drive to the Stonehouse 4 days in advance of our arrival. Christmas was only a few days away and we were excited to head out on the road and to do something new along the way.
Our daughter, Scout, was now three and had been begging to go to the mountains for the past few days. She was excited as we made our way down the dirt road towards the Stonehouse. There’s not a whole lot to see along the 1.6 mile drive in but there are about five stonehouses that are worth a stop just shortly after starting down the road.
After checking those out, we reached the main stonehouse in a matter of minutes.
Arriving at the Stonehouse and Exploring Along Mission Creek
The site is incredibly nice and we entered the Stonehouse and checked out the inside before heading outside to play catch.I knew that Scout’s main desire was to get her feet wet in the stream. Even though it was December and a bit chilly, I was sure this wouldn’t deter Scout from splashing around. We made the short walk down to Mission Creek and would wind up spending about an hour walking along the creek. Scout splashed and crossed the creek more times than I could count. Her massive smile informed us of how happy she was to be at the preserve. The beauty of the canyon walls and mountains all around us really caught me by surprise.
The hikes inside the preserve are longer but for those looking just to check out the stonehouse and spend some time along Mission Creek, this preserve will absolutely not disappoint. We had an amazing day and were so grateful for the opportunity too have visited.
Getting to Mission Creek Preserve
Turn onto Mission Creek Road from Highway 62. Follow along the dirt road for 2 miles. You will come to a locked gate which will block further access. If you have not acquired a permit and the gate code from the Wildlands Conservancy then you will need to park in the unpaved lot and continue on foot from here.
60550 Mission Creek Rd, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240
Notes, Questions and Thoughts
Is Mission Creek Preserve a fee area?
- No, there are no fees to visit or park at the Mission Creek Preserve
Are there restrooms at Mission Creek Preserve?
- Yes, flush toilets are located at the Stone House, at the end of the 1.6 mile hike down the dirt road
Are dogs allowed at Mission Creek Preserve?
- Yes, dogs are allowed at the preserve, however, they must be leashed and kept in control at all times. Please pick up and properly dispose of all animal waste.
Please recreate responsibly. Respect hikers and all visitors and wildlife. Help make everyone’s experience better by keeping the nature experience as authentic as possible. Leave no trace and pack out everything that you pack in. Please remember that we are visitors and stewards of these special places. Help keep these places as wild as possible while not diminishing the outdoor experience of others.
