Palm Desert Cross Trail Loop With Kids

If you’re looking for a scenic kid-friendly desert hike, the Palm Desert Cross Trail Loop with kids is a great option. We hiked it during our family trip to Palm Springs, and it worked really well for our family.

The Palm Desert Cross Hike has a little bit of everything we like in a kid-friendly desert trail: a clear destination, wide-open views and friendly people along the way. The trail is popular with both locals and visitors, so you’ll likely be sharing it with everyone from young families hiking with kids to active retirees out for a morning walk.

What makes the Cross Trail Loop especially good for families is that it gives kids something obvious to aim for. Instead of just walking through the desert, they can see the Palm Desert Cross up on the hill and work their way toward it. Once you reach the top, you’re rewarded with big views over Palm Desert and the surrounding mountains.

That said, this hike is still in the desert, so it’s not one to do unprepared. There is very little shade, the climb is steady in places and families will want to bring plenty of water, sun hats and snacks. In this post, we’ll share what it was like hiking the Cross Trail Loop with kids, including the trail distance, elevation gain, parking, difficulty, what to expect and our best tips for making it a fun family hike.

This post contains compensated links.

Cross Trail Loop Hike Overview

The Palm Desert Cross is perched up high on a hill overlooking the citizens of Palm Desert. It’s one of the best easy hikes near Palm Springs and the hike to the cross is very scenic, which is likely why it’s so popular.

The Cross Trail Loop hiking trail winds its way up and around some desert valleys along the side of a mountain at the southwest edge of Palm Desert. You’ll find nothing blocks the amazing views of Palm Desert down below as the hiking terrain is mostly rocks and small desert scrub plants.

As the name suggests, the Cross Trail Loop is a loop, and you may also see this hike referred to as The Palm Desert Cross Hike.

It’s not a perfect loop though, as you’ll take a short spur trail near the top to reach the Palm Desert Cross. The spur trail to the Palm Desert Cross runs along the top of a ridge, affording you great views in two directions. Once at the top, there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the views.

Palm Desert Cross Trail Loop Stats

Cross Trail Loop Distance

The full round-trip distance of the Cross Trail Loop is 3.5 miles / 5.6 km.

Cross Trail Loop Elevation Gain

The hike to the Palm Desert cross is a slow, steady climb up the slopes of a mountain. The total elevation gain on this hike is 775 feet / 237 m.

How Hard is the Cross Trail Loop?

We found the Cross Trail Loop very manageable with kids, but most trail listings rate it as moderate because of the steady climb and exposed terrain. The elevation may be an issue for some who are not used to climbing hills, but people of all ages and abilities were out enjoying this hike.

How Long Does the Palm Desert Cross Hike Take?

It took us 2.25 hours to complete the loop (3 hours including breaks). This was a little faster than usual for us. Our kids were having so much fun that they ran a decent amount of the hike.

Cross Trail Loop Trailhead, Parking and Map

To reach the Cross Trail Loop trailhead, you’ll drive through a residential area near the edge of Palm Desert. There’s a large parking lot near the trailhead and even though the trail was very busy when we visited, the parking lot was still about half full.

The Cross Hike Highlights

The super-friendly locals and the views along this cityside mountain hike are what make the Cross Trail Loop such a fun family hike. The views from the top, sitting under the Palm Desert Cross, are amazing, but the views throughout the hike are very enjoyable too.

Hiking the Cross Trail Loop with Kids

The Cross Trail Loop is a fun activity when you visit Palm Springs with kids. With so many friendly, active retirees on the trail, don’t be surprised if your kids get a lot of attention.

Nearly every group you pass will stop and talk to your kids, asking questions and giving praise and encouragement. It’s a very friendly and fun atmosphere and your kids will love the attention.

Here are a few other things to know before hiking the Cross Trail Loop with kids:

There is a washroom at the trailhead. Be sure that everyone goes here as the trail is very busy and there is nowhere to hide.

Your biggest risks on the Cross hike are hydration and sun exposure. There is a water station (for humans and dogs!) by the trailhead. Because this is a desert hike, bring a water bladder with all the water you’ll need rather than relying on it.

Be sure your kids wear sun hats and sunscreen, and stop for frequent water breaks. A good rule of thumb with kids: if they never need to stop for a bathroom break, they probably haven’t had enough water.

This trail is not stroller-friendly based on the rocky, climbing trail surface. It is very common in Palm Springs for parents to carry their little ones on their backs in a hiking backpack carrier.

Dogs are allowed on this route, but they must be kept on leash.

Kids love climbing on rocks. There are plenty of opportunities for kids to show off their monkey skills on this hike.

Before you head out, read our best tips for hiking with kids and see what we actually pack in our guide to hiking gear for kids.

Where to Stop for Lunch or a Break

The best place to stop for a lunch or snack break is at the top of the hike, beneath the Palm Desert Cross. It’s a large, flat area with lots of good rocks to sit on while you enjoy the 360-degree view, eat and rest your legs.