Whitewater Preserve
Whitewater Preserve
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
67 reviews
Excellent
44
Very good
17
Average
2
Poor
3
Terrible
1
Robby G C
Toronto, Canada81,665 contributions
Feb 2020
When we entered at the Whitewater Preserve, there was a waterfall and a lot of water.
We decided to hike.
It was fun!
Sometimes we had to balance not to fall in the water.
There were many rocks and small mountains.
We were the last ones to hike. They told us that they will let us go when we come .
It was amazing. We saw running water.
The mountains were amazing!. It changed with the sun.
When we came back we enjoyed the waterfall.
I really liked that. A must see!
We decided to hike.
It was fun!
Sometimes we had to balance not to fall in the water.
There were many rocks and small mountains.
We were the last ones to hike. They told us that they will let us go when we come .
It was amazing. We saw running water.
The mountains were amazing!. It changed with the sun.
When we came back we enjoyed the waterfall.
I really liked that. A must see!
Written July 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robby G C
Toronto, Canada81,665 contributions
Feb 2020
This is the Whitewater Preserve
WE went first at the Visitor's Center. We learned a lot here. There was a waterfall.
When we left we saw a place with water and rocks.
WE enjoyed hiking. We left late, but we could come back later.
We enjoyed the rivers and tied to visit everything
At one time we had to climb on the rocks. That was fun!
WE went first at the Visitor's Center. We learned a lot here. There was a waterfall.
When we left we saw a place with water and rocks.
WE enjoyed hiking. We left late, but we could come back later.
We enjoyed the rivers and tied to visit everything
At one time we had to climb on the rocks. That was fun!
Written January 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raymond P
1 contribution
Dec 2019
Every year we come to Palm Springs for the xmas vacation. The loop hike at Whitewater is one I will always do, sometimes twice during our stay. It's a moderate hike. If you go counter-clockwise, steep switchbacks going up early in the hike to the plateau then mostly flat then down hill. Loop is probably 3, maybe 3.5 to 4 miles. The small park at the parking area is exquisite with cottonwood (I think) trees and a mellow atmosphere with picnic tables. Pack a lunch, do the hike, then enjoy a nice lunch under the trees. It's only about 40 minutes from Palm Springs.
There are trail branches where you can go further and climb up higher, but we have not done these yet. Anyway, I highly recommend Whitewater Preserve and it's hike.
There are trail branches where you can go further and climb up higher, but we have not done these yet. Anyway, I highly recommend Whitewater Preserve and it's hike.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Boreal-Gal75
Inuvik, Canada33 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
Just 20 minutes from Palm Springs sits this wonderful preserve we were told about. It’s unfortunate that there is little information at the site about why the ponds exist (we had heard it was a trout farm in the first half of 1900s). The grounds are now a fabulous picnic site for families, with bathrooms. The bird feeding station ensured plenty of birds. We traversed one of the five trails and thoroughly enjoyed our couple hours.
Written March 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rexflash
Irvine, CA180 contributions
Apr 2020
We went to take a hike. The pictures from the website make it look like a large verdant oasis. It's not. It's a tiny patch of trees up a rocky canyon in the parched desert. The trails are all steep and treeless. There are some good views once you get up top. If you have nothing better to do, I guess it's worth one trip.
Written May 25, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louise Masin Sattler
Los Angeles, CA1,613 contributions
Apr 2022
We stumbled upon the Whitewater Preserve and WHAT A GEM it was! A long and windy road took you through fields of tumbleweed and dried-up water beds only to end at this beautiful park. A privately owned and funded preserve - it seemed to be a favorite among the locals.
Thanks to all who gave us the historical backstories.
One downside - the bathrooms did not seem to be routinely clean. Sadly, that is why it only earned four stars.
Thanks to all who gave us the historical backstories.
One downside - the bathrooms did not seem to be routinely clean. Sadly, that is why it only earned four stars.
Written April 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BoboTravlr
Los Angeles, CA595 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
The preserve is a jewel of a place to appreciate and enjoy. There is ample parking and it is free to visit. The trails are well kept and there is little to no trash. The old trout ponds are really cool to look at and the facilities are top notch. Be sure to leave a donation!
Written November 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LoliB818
Vancouver, Canada241 contributions
May 2014 • Solo
I live on the ocean in Vancouver BC Canada and I have been in the desert for months so I miss water! I went out here to find this water people spoke of.. and wow... you drive deep into the canyons,, nothing around then all of a sudden you come upon this sound.. yes its a little waterfall! anyways beautiful man made little lakes with trout in them! you cant swim in them but it refreshing so see smell and hear WATER! there are plenty of trails for hiking and a great campgrounds it is a PARK there is a ranger station there and what a fun way to spend the day! I have tons of pictures but there is no prompt here to allow me to submit them.. sorry!
Written May 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neal S
South Lake Tahoe, CA4,198 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
When I first moved to Palm Springs in the 90's, I would go out to the old Whitewater Trout company's Trout Farm which was at the end of WCR, and fish for a trout for which I paid $2.25/pound, sit on the grass, enjoy the sounds of the water fall and the birds, restful and incredibly beautiful views - literally in the river bed floor with high raising walls which gives a true visual of ancient river-beds and the depth of these rivers. The views are beautiful - BUT NOW it is a National Monument - Obama solidifies this recently - and as the Whitewater Preserve it is the gateway to the Sand-to-Snow National Monument. In 2006 the trout Company was sold to the Wildlands Conservancy, which transformed the old hatchery into a nature-preserve. The trout are still in the ponds - big ones; and the park area is still enticing and beautiful. I am not a hiker, but there were many hikers there and all commented on 'How great is this?"...There are picnic tables, lawns, hiking, ponds, BBQ, Ranger station, bathrooms....Hard to find but Worth the drive.
Written February 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J S
Palm Springs, CA393 contributions
Oct 2018 • Solo
Wonderful place to hike. Trails for any fitness level. Year round stream. Nice picnic area. This place used to be a trout farm many years ago. The ponds are still in place, minus the fish. One shallow pond for wading and splashing. Beautiful scenery. If you enjoy the out of doors, and you are visiting the Palm Springs area, put it on your list.
Written October 16, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is there a bike path? Is it for road bikes or just mountain bikes?
Written October 29, 2023
I think I saw an area for that, but I really can't say for sure.
Written October 7, 2018
Wwa
Palm Springs, California
Daily 8AM-5PM. Closed only for certain holidays and for severe weather closures.
Written January 6, 2020
I can't seem to find any info....admission fee? And is there overnight camping? Thanks...
Written June 5, 2017
There is not an admission charge at White Water. Camping is allowed, with a permit issued by rangers in the Visitor Center. There are not hook-ups. No fires. Water and bathrooms are available. No showers.
Written June 6, 2017
Their website says, "Fishing is limited to organized catch and release programs for kids in which all equipment is provided. For additional information or to make a reservation for an interpretive program or the campground, call the preserve at (760) 325-7222."
Written April 13, 2017
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