| Description: This route is about 67 miles long, & rises from the desert up into the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains, before descending again into the Mojave. Numerous wildlife watching areas dot the route including the Santa Rosa Mountains National Recreation Area, Lake Hemet, & the San Bernadino National Wildlife Refuge. Commonly-spotted wildlife includes birds of prey, migrant waterfowl, bobcats, mule deer, great plains toads & western rattlesnakes. Less-commonly seen wildlife includes the penninsular bighorn sheep & desert slender salamander, both listed as threatened species. Some developed campgrounds are en route, in the forest, & other recreational activities are available through forest & BLM lands surrounding the byway.
Location: From Interstate ten at Banning, take Highway 243 south through Idyllwild. At Mountain Center, turn left (east) onto Highway 74 (the Palms to Pines Highway). Drive east to Palm Desert. Continue on Highway 74 to rejoin Interstate ten at Cathedral City, or turn left (west) on Highway 111 to go through Palm Springs before rejoining I-10.
Season: year round.
Fee: no.
Reservations: no. Available: Fishing Picnicking
Hiking/Backpacking Scenic Driving
Hunting
Camping Wildlife Viewing Visitor Center RV Sites
Exhibits Drinking Water Restrooms. Notes: Managed in partnership with the San Bernadino National Forest & other agencies . |
Campground: Palm Springs South Coast Field Office, Palms to Pines Scenic Byway in North Palm Springs California *