Mission Creek Preserve — Attraction in Desert Hot Springs

Great place for day hike, camping or backpacking. Mission Creek Rd leading to the 2 parking lots is few miles of flat hard washboard surface. 1st lot is 24/7 and open for backpacking parking with no permit. Through the locked gate, when open there is another 1.5 miles of road to the 2nd lot. At this 2nd lot there is the Stone House, with information inside of the preserve, also there is flush toilets and places to sit and eat undershade. From here, there is hiking trails that lead to Whitewater River, and the Mission Creek. Whitewater was flowing (9/2018) and Mission Creek was dry in the preserve boundaries. Few miles along the trail to Whitewater is the famous Pacific Crest Trail. Go south(left) to Whitewater, or north(right) to San Gorgonio Mt, few miles on this trail, there is water that can be made clean to drink. Mission Creek Preserve is operated by The Wildlands Conservancy, there are doing a great job, and do except...

Great place to visit. Hiking or dirt road walking both available. With permission you can have additional access. Very near the gate there is an easy walk with some shady stone houses with picnic tables, perfect for an easy lunch destination. Walk the road the 1.6 miles to the Stone House. Nice yard with many picnic tables and larger dining hall I assume would be great for group camp meal times. Thinking Boy Scouts or church type groups. We then decided to hike the trail an additional two miles to stand on the Pacific Crest Trail. We went after the heavy Feb 14 rains of 2019, many areas of the trail were washed out but by following the boot prints we had little trouble staying on course. As always while hiking be alert to your surroundings so you can find your way back home. We clicked in at 7.7 miles of walking round trip. One of the better hikes in the area. Dogs welcome on...

The Mission Creek preserve is an easy and good hike to go for the day. Parking is limited but this is not as popular so most of the time you will be fine. Getting here is a dirt road from the 62. The road is in good condition and any car will make it. There are a few points of interest like the cabins in the entrance or the stone house at the end. But the creek is the most fun. This is the desert and it is exposed so take a hat and water. It will not be enjoyable in the summer as temps are way too hot. There are restrooms by the stone house and you can cross the creek if you want to just keep going past that. The trail will even connect you with white water preserve if you want to extend the hike even further. Take snacks as there are tables inside the stone house for you to rest. Protect this area and keep it beautiful. Dog and...