Parks & Recreation

Palm Desert is proud of its beautiful parks and works year-round to maintain safe, attractive, and accessible recreational spaces that enhance quality of life and inspire community pride.

We maintain over 200 acres of parkland, including 12+ parks, two community centers, the Palm Desert Aquatic Center, and 25+ miles of multi-purpose trails. Amenities include public art, community gardens, dog parks, rose gardens, an amphitheater, sports facilities, playgrounds, pavilions, and more.

In partnership with the Desert Recreation District, we offer year-round programs and activities for all ages. Visit their online registration page to explore classes, sports, and events.

Whether you’re hiking, playing, or relaxing, there’s a Palm Desert park for you!

Palm Desert Park Rules

Palm Desert parks are open from dawn until 11:00 p.m. with the exception of Joe Mann Park, which closes at 10:00 p.m.

Camping, alcohol, and firearms are strictly forbidden.
No amplified sound is allowed without a permit.
Fires are allowed only in the provided grills. The use of personal grills is prohibited.
All dogs must be on a leash except within designated off-leash areas and in dog parks.
Dog owners are responsible for picking up after dogs and properly disposing of pet waste. Failure to do so may result in a citation.
Motorized golf carts and vehicles are not allowed in the parks.
It is prohibited to sell food or merchandise in the parks.
Swimming or fishing in the Civic Center Park lagoon is prohibited.
Classes cannot be held in the parks because it is against the City of Palm Desert’s ordinance to conduct business for a profit in a city park.
It is prohibited to feed the ducks at Civic Center Park.
Mylar, metallic foil and other conductive material balloons are prohibited.

Palm Desert Park Locations

Cahuilla Hills Park
72700 Tierra Del Oro, Palm Desert, CA 92260

Cap Homme / Ralph Adams Park
72-500 Thrush Rd, Palm Desert, CA 92260

Civic Center Park
43900 San Pablo Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260

Freedom Park
77400 Country Club Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92211

Hovley Soccer Park
74735 Hovley Lane, Palm Desert, CA 92260

Ironwood Park
47800 Chia Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260

Joe Mann Park
77810 California Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260

Magnesia Falls Park
74200 Rutledge Way, Palm Desert, CA 92260

Palma Village Park
44650 San Carlos Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260

University Dog Park
74802 University Park Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92211

University Park East
74902 University Park Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92211

Washington Charter School Park
45768 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260

Facility Rentals

Although picnic shelters in Palm Desert’s parks are generally available on a first come, first served basis, pavilions and playing fields in the following parks can be reserved in advance at Civic Center Park, Hovley Soccer Park, and Freedom Park.

To reserve a picnic shelter or to book a sports field, please contact the Desert Recreation District who will require an application for the use of our park facilities.

Sports & Activities

The Family YMCA of the Desert and Desert Recreation District each work with the City of Palm Desert to provide a wide variety of programs to the community. Please follow the links below to learn more!

Family YMCA of the Desert

43930 San Pablo Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Phone: (760) 341-9622
Fax: (760) 779-9651

Desert Recreation District

43900 San Pablo Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Phone: (760) 568-9697
Hours: Monday - Friday 6:00 am to 9:00 p m,
Saturday - 9:00 am to 2:00 pm
Closed Sundays

Portola Community Center
The Portola Community Center was established in 1998 when the City of Palm Desert renovated the old County Library. The Center currently provides office space and community rooms for use by not-for-profit and community groups and small businesses.

Applications for use of the common community rooms are scheduled according to a six month calendar, which is reviewed and approved by the City. Please submit applications directly to the Center by using the contact information below.

The Portola Community Center is also the primary contact for information about sports fields and courts within the City of Palm Desert. For information about organized sports, field/court lighting, and other amenities, please contact the Center.

Portola Community Center Contact

45480 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 am to 8:30 pm
Phone: (760) 568-2560

Palm Desert Park Amenities

Baseball/Softball

Basketball

Civic Center Park - Three Basketball Courts
43900 San Pablo Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260

Hovley Soccer Park - One Basketball Court
74735 Hovley Lane, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Joe Mann Park - One Basketball Court
77810 California Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Palma Village Park - One Basketball Court
44650 San Carlos Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260
University Park East - One Basketball Court
74902 University Park Dr. Palm Desert, CA 92211

Disc Golf

Dog Parks

Reminder: Please keep dogs on a leash no longer than 6 feet in length unless visiting one of the City's designated dog parks or off-leash areas.

The City of Palm Desert manages several dog parks. Each park has a section designated for large and small dogs. Small dogs are dogs that are 25 pounds or less.

Civic Center Park
- Dog park is 0.78 acres
- 43900 San Pablo Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260
- Maintenance Schedule: W 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, M, W, F 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

Joe Mann Park
- Dog park is 0.33 acres
- 77810 California Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260
- Maintenance Schedule: M, W, F 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

University Dog Park
- Dog park is 2.4 acres
- 74802 University Park Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92211
- Maintenance Schedule: M, W, F 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Freedom Park
- Dog park is 0.22 acres
- 77400 Country Club Dr., Palm Desert, CA 92211
- Maintenance Schedule: T, TH 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

In addition to the City's dog parks, Homme Adams Park is a natural park with an off-leash dog area. If you have any questions regarding our dog parks, please call Public Works at (760) 776-7471 or email us at parks@palmdesert.gov.

Hiking

For an interactive map of Palm Desert hiking trails, please click here.

Hopalong Cassidy Trail
American movie and television cowboy icon Hopalong Cassidy was portrayed by Palm Desert resident William Boyd. Mr. Boyd was known for giving his “Hoppy” wooden nickels to children, and teaching them his tips on good citizenship (known as “Hoppy’s Creed”). The Trail was dedicated on January 31, 2004 by his widow, Grace Bradley Boyd, who said that “Hoppy and Topper would have loved the trail and encouraged everyone to enjoy it and practice trail safety.”

Randall Henderson Trail
Randall Henderson was instrumental in the development of Palm Desert. An author, desert explorer, and early visionary, he realized the area's potential and began to document its history and growth in The Desert Magazine, a periodical he published from the 1930’s through the 1960’s. The Randall Henderson Trail was dedicated on February 5, 2005, by family members.

Herb Jeffries Trail
This trail is a tribute to the legendary “Bronze Buckaroo,” Herb Jeffries, a film star and recording artist who, in the era of popular western movies, created a cowboy hero for African Americans. Mr. Jeffries, a former Palm Desert resident, performed and spoke at the trail dedication on April 2, 2005.

Kathleen S. and G. George Fox Hiking Park
Inclusive of the Herb Jeffries Trail, the Fox Hiking Park provides open space that consists of several short, flat trails that dead end after a moderate distance. The Fox Hiking Park runs along the west side of the Palm Valley storm channel from behind Target south to Cahuilla Hills Park.

Pétanque

Pickleball

Civic Center Park:
- 6 courts: first come, first serve open play. Open 6:00 am to 9:00 pm every day.

Freedom Park:
- 8 courts, open play 7:00 am – 10:00 pm, lights go off automatically at 10:00 pm, closed 2nd Friday of every month 5:00 am – 11:00 am for maintenance.

Cahuilla Hills Park:
- 2 tennis courts lined with two pickleball courts each.
- Pickleball nets are not provided. Open play.

Palm Desert Community Center:
- Classes available
- Indoor courts are available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm, free with your facility use pass or $5/day drop in fee. Please visit the Desert Recreation District's website for more information or call (760) 568-9697.

Playground

Civic Center Park
43900 San Pablo Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Freedom Park
77400 Country Club Dr., Palm Desert, CA 92211
Hovley Soccer Park
74735 Hovley Lane, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Ironwood Park
47800 Chia Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Joe Mann Park
77810 California Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Magnesia Falls Park
74200 Rutledge Way, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Palma Village Park
44650 San Carlos Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260
University Park East
74902 University Park Dr., Palm Desert, CA 92211
Washington Charter School Park
45768 Portola Avenue, Palm Desert, CA 92260

Soccer/Multipurpose Field

Swimming

Palm Desert Aquatic Center

73751 Magnesia Falls Drive, Palm Desert CA 92260
Phone: (760) 565-7467
Email: pdac.customerservice@desertymca.org
Website: pdpool.com

Pool Amenities

Three pools
Diving boards
Water slides
Play feature
Climbing wall
Click here for information on classes and programs

All or part of the nearly eight-acre facility can be rented for birthday parties, corporate events, swimming competitions, and other special events.

For entrance fees and other information about the Aquatic Center, please call (760) 565-7467 or visit their website by clicking here.

Tennis Courts

Volleyball

Civic Center Park - Four Volleyball Courts
43900 San Pablo Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Freedom Park - Two Volleyball Courts
77400 Country Club Dr., Palm Desert, CA 92211
Joe Mann Park - One Volleyball Court
77810 California Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Palma Village Park - One Volleyball Court
44650 San Carlos Ave, Palm Desert, CA 92260

Accessibility Assistance
The City of Palm Desert is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website for all users. If you require assistance accessing information on this site, please email ada@palmdesert.gov.

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