Best Winter Desert Hikes in Redlands
Winter is the secret season for desert hiking near Redlands. With Mediterranean-climate temperatures cooling to comfortable ranges and summer haze clearing from the sky, trails through the Inland Empire's high desert and foothill terrain offer panoramic views of the San Bernardino Mountains draped in snow. From Crafton Hills open space to the Joshua tree-dotted edges of the high desert, the Redlands area rewards hikers who trade crowded summer trailheads for crisp, quiet winter mornings.
Top 8 desert hikes for winter
Rolling chaparral ridges offer sweeping views of the San Bernardino Valley and snow-capped peaks to the north. Winter rains trigger early green-up on the hillsides, making this one of the most visually rewarding cold-season walks close to Redlands.
This riparian corridor just east of Redlands runs alongside the Santa Ana River wash and attracts migratory birds in winter. Flat and accessible, it is a strong choice for groups with mixed fitness levels seeking a low-commitment desert-edge outing.
A moderately strenuous climb through chaparral and open oak woodland delivers broad desert-basin views toward the Coachella Valley on clear winter days. Snow occasionally dusts the upper ridge, creating striking contrast against the desert scrub below.
Located roughly an hour east of Redlands at the Mojave Desert's doorstep, this lush canyon oasis is most pleasant in winter when temperatures are mild and cottonwood trees glow golden well into December. Birding here in winter is exceptional.
A short, family-friendly loop through boulder gardens and classic Mojave desert landscape, best experienced in winter when daytime highs stay in the mid-50s to low 60s. The clear winter atmosphere makes sunrise and golden-hour photography outstanding.
Winter storms push meaningful water flow through the Whitewater River canyon, creating a dynamic desert-riparian experience rarely seen in drier months. The preserve sits at the edge of the San Bernardino National Forest and offers a dramatic gateway into the San Gorgonio Wilderness viewshed.
This paleontological and natural history trail winds through a quiet canyon just south of Redlands, passing exposed fossil-rich sediments and native coastal sage scrub. Winter lighting is ideal for spotting detail in the canyon walls and the trail sees very light foot traffic.
High desert pinyon-juniper woodland and granite outcrops define this preserve northwest of Twentynine Palms, accessible on a day trip from Redlands. Winter visits often coincide with dusting snow at elevation, while lower canyon sections remain clear and hikeable.
Why Winter Is the Best Season to Hike Near Redlands.
Redlands sits at roughly 1,300 feet in the eastern Inland Empire, where a Mediterranean climate keeps winters mild rather than harsh. Daytime highs typically range from the upper 50s to mid-60s Fahrenheit from November through February, which is physiologically ideal for sustained aerobic effort on the trail. Summer haze and wildfire smoke that obscure distant views clear away completely, revealing crisp sightlines to Mount San Gorgonio and the high desert plateau beyond the Cajon Pass. Trails that bake and feel punishing in July become genuinely enjoyable. Parking lots that overflow on spring weekends are often nearly empty on winter mornings, giving hikers a quieter, more immersive experience across every trail in the region.
Desert Ecology in Winter Around the Inland Empire.
The desert landscape near Redlands is not dormant in winter — it is quietly active. Winter rains, when they arrive, trigger the germination of annual wildflowers that will bloom in late February and March, meaning the seeds of the season's most spectacular displays are being set during your hike. Migratory raptors including prairie falcons and ferruginous hawks hunt the open scrubland of Crafton Hills and San Timoteo Canyon from November onward. Coyotes, jackrabbits, and mule deer are more visible in winter mornings when lower temperatures keep animals active longer into daylight hours. Joshua trees and native cacti in the high desert near Big Morongo and Pipes Canyon show no visible stress and stand out clearly against pale winter skies, making identification and photography straightforward.
Safety and Group Hiking in the Winter Desert.
Desert winter hiking carries specific hazards that differ from both summer desert hiking and mountain winter hiking. The most underestimated risk is rapidly dropping temperatures after sunset — what felt like a pleasant afternoon hike can turn dangerous if you are still on an exposed ridgeline at dusk with only light layers. Always carry a headlamp, an emergency space blanket, and a fully charged phone. Remote desert trails near Redlands, including parts of Pipes Canyon and Whitewater Preserve, have limited or no cell service, so downloading offline maps before you leave is essential. Hiking with a group of three or more people is a meaningful safety upgrade — if one person is injured, a second can stay while a third goes for help. This is especially important on canyon trails where ankle and knee injuries are common on loose decomposed granite.
Planning a Day Trip from Redlands to High Desert Trailheads.
Redlands' central location in the Inland Empire makes it an excellent base for day trips across a wide range of desert terrain. Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is approximately 45 minutes east on SR-62, while Joshua Tree National Park's west entrance is about 75 minutes away — both manageable before the park service begins charging day-use fees at peak hours. Whitewater Preserve, operated by the Wildlands Conservancy, requires a free parking reservation on weekends and some holidays; book these slots at least a week in advance during the popular winter season. For trails closer to home, Crafton Hills Open Space parking off Crafton Avenue fills quickly on clear winter Saturdays, so arriving before 8 a.m. or carpooling from Redlands ensures you get a spot without circling.
Planning tips
- Start hikes by 9 a.m. to take advantage of the warmest part of the day and best light; winter sun sets early in the Inland Empire, so plan to be off exposed ridges by 4 p.m.
- Layer clothing rather than wearing a single heavy jacket — Redlands-area desert mornings can be in the low 40s at trailheads while midday temperatures on south-facing slopes reach the mid-60s.
- Carry at least 1.5 liters of water per person even in winter; desert air remains dry and hiking exertion causes dehydration faster than hikers expect in cool weather.
- Check road conditions before driving to high-desert trailheads after any storm; SR-18 toward Big Bear and parts of SR-62 toward Twentynine Palms can close briefly after rare winter precipitation events.
- Bring trekking poles on rocky canyon trails and ridgeline routes — morning frost can leave shadowed sections slippery well into mid-morning, especially on north-facing slopes in Crafton Hills and Yucaipa Ridge.
Hike a TrailMates group event this winter
Planning a winter desert hike from Redlands? Use TrailMates to build a group for any of these trails — from Crafton Hills morning loops to full-day Joshua Tree adventures. TrailMates' 3-person minimum and pace-matching tools help you find compatible hikers and stay safe on remote desert terrain all season long.