Lake Cahuilla
6 mi south · Bureau of Reclamation
Surronded by the stark beauty of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Lake Cahuilla (pronounced Kah-wee-ah) is a favorite recreation area in the Coachella Valley.
Outdoors
Horseback riding near Indian Wells
Trails and recreation areas near Indian Wells open to horseback riding, including horse camps.
19places to ride horses
6 mito the closest
12within 30 miles
November–Marchbest months
Good to know: Check trailer parking and stock water at the trailhead, and whether certified weed-free hay is required.
Closest picks
Ribbonwood Equestrian Cg
13 mi southwest · USDA Forest Service
Ribbonwood is an ideal mountain escape for equestrian campers. The campground overlooks Palm Desert and the Salton Sea in southern California and provides visitors with access to hundreds of miles of terrain for exploration and enjoyment.
Santa Rosa Wilderness
13 mi southeast · Bureau of Land Management
The terrain within the Santa Rosa Mountains Wilderness is rugged with elevations rising dramatically from just above sea level to 7,000 feet.
Map of all 19 places
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Within 30 miles (12)
Lake Cahuilla
Surronded by the stark beauty of the Santa Rosa Mountains, Lake Cahuilla (pronounced Kah-wee-ah) is a favorite recreation area in the Coachella Valley.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Recreational Vehicles
- Water sports
Ribbonwood Equestrian Cg
Ribbonwood is an ideal mountain escape for equestrian campers. The campground overlooks Palm Desert and the Salton Sea in southern California and provides visitors with access to hundreds of miles of terrain for exploration and enjoyment.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
Santa Rosa Wilderness
The terrain within the Santa Rosa Mountains Wilderness is rugged with elevations rising dramatically from just above sea level to 7,000 feet.
- Camping
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Fern Basin
The picturesque Fern Basin Campground is a perfect escape from a busy lifestyle. It provides peace and quiet in the mountains of southern California as well as access to countless recreational opportunities.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Lookout Tower
- Mountain Biking
Marion Mountain
The Marion Mountain Campground offers a beautiful retreat in the San Bernardino National Forest. It provides access to a number of hiking trails that lead to some of the most spectacular views of Southern California.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fire Lookouts/Cabins Overnight
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
Orocopia Mountains Wilderness
The western boundary of the Orocopia Mountains Wilderness is contiguous with the Mecca Hills Wilderness with the exception of the Meccacopia Jeep Trail, which bisects the two wilderness areas.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve/ACEC is well recognized as an important wildlife corridor that links BLM's San Gorgonio Wilderness with the San Bernardino National Forest and Joshua Tree National Park.
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Boulder Basin
Black Mountain Road is is poor condition at this time. A four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle is recommended with a minimum ground clearance of 6 inches. Drive at your own risk.
- Backpacking
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Mountain Biking
- Picnicking
Beauty Mountain Wilderness
The Beauty Mountain Wilderness encompasses a total of 15,627 acres and is managed by the BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office .
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wilderness
Joshua Tree National Park
Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain.
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Wildlife viewing
San Gorgonio Wilderness
This wilderness is part of the eastern slope of the San Bernardino Mountains with topography rapidly changing from low, rolling foothills and canyons to steep, rugged mountains. Elevations range from 2,300 to 5,500 feet.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
Sand to Snow National Monument
Remember your OUTDOOR ETHICS when enjoying your public lands. Please RECREATE RESPONSIBLY.
- Accessible Swimming
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wildlife viewing
- Winter sports
30 to 75 miles (7)
Bradshaw Trail Back Country Byway
The first road across Riverside County to the Colorado River was blazed by William Bradshaw in 1862 as an overland stage route.
- Camping
- History
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Off Road Vehicle Trails
- Off-highway vehicles
- Wildlife viewing
Bighorn Mountain Wilderness
The north-central portion of this Wilderness area holds the rugged Bighorn Mountains and the eastern foothills of the San Bernardino Mountains.
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Nature education
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail covers over 1200 miles through the homelands of 70+ Tribal communities. It follows the historic route of the 1775-76 Spanish colonizing expedition from Sonora, Mexico to San Francisco, CA.
- Hiking
- History
- Horseback riding
Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness
The Chuckwalla Mountains Wilderness now contains a total of 112,326 acres and is managed by the BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office . All of the Wilderness is in the state of California.
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Photography
- Wilderness
- Wildlife viewing
San Bernardino National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Climbing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
Johnson Valley OHV Area
Click here for the latest information concerning upcoming military training and closures of the Shared Use Area. Overview Johnson Valley is a varied landscape for the off-highway vehicle driver.
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hunting
- Photography
- Recreational Vehicles
- Wildlife viewing
Cleveland National Forest
- Biking
- Camping
- Hiking
- Horse Camping
- Horseback riding
- Off-highway vehicles
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Indian Wells. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Get outside around Indian Wells
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
(Review)- Is this California’s BEST Desert Resort? 🌴 Grand Hyatt Indian Wells Room Tour
A local activity Short shared by Nivan Stklare.
Watch on YouTube ↗
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
So Much to Explore at Grand Hyatt Indian Wells 👀🌴 | Part 3
A local activity Short shared by Stay Moving With a Purpose.
Watch on YouTube ↗Around Indian Wells
More outdoors near Indian Wells
Questions
Where is the closest place for horseback riding near Indian Wells?
Lake Cahuilla (Bureau of Reclamation), about 6 miles south of Indian Wells as the crow flies. Next are Ribbonwood Equestrian Cg (13 mi) and Santa Rosa Wilderness (13 mi).
When is the best time for horseback riding near Indian Wells?
Based on Indian Wells’s average highs, November–March. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.