Painted Canyon Jeep Tour

Explore the Out-of-This-World Geology of the Mecca Hills Wilderness Area

Experience sheer canyon walls, fascinating geology, local agriculture, scenic vistas, abundant desert flora, and amazing hiking options on this 4×4 back-country adventure.

Coachella Valley Agriculture: Journey to the eastern end of the Coachella Valley where you will find yourself immersed in our area’s second largest industry: agriculture. Depending on the time of year and growing conditions, you may see fields of artichokes, cauliflower, bell peppers, dates, table grapes, and citrus to name just a few of the crops grown locally.

Salton Sea Views: As you rise above the agricultural basin and cross the beautiful Coachella canal, you will be afforded with a magnificent view of the awe-inspiring Salton Sea.

Out-of-this-World Scenery of the Painted Canyon | Mecca Hills Area: As you leave the pavement and enter the majestic Mecca Hills Wilderness Area, you will be amazed by the lunar-like landscape, reminiscent of Star Trek. Journey into the spectacular Painted Canyon and marvel at the billion-year-old rainbow-colored mineral striations towering above you.

Hiking: This tour features a more adventurous, moderately strenuous hike of approximately 3 miles, and is best suited for guests who are comfortable with physical activity. The terrain includes walking through soft sand, navigating narrow slot canyons, and maneuvering over and under large boulders.  While your guide may point out the ladder section in Painted Canyon, the ladder hike itself is not included due to its length and higher level of difficulty.  We recommend this experience for guests with above-average fitness, good balance and flexibility, and a sense of comfort in tighter spaces. Although there are a few route variations, all options involve sandy washes, and most include some level of rock scrambling or light bouldering.