01
Best close-to-town escape
Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge
South Of Westmorland Near The Salton Sea • Quiet Wildlife Refuge With Flat Levee Walks • Best For Birdwatching Strolls
Easy, level paths along the fields and shoreline make this refuge a relaxed way to stretch your legs just outside town.
Short trails and service roads wind past managed wetlands, farm fields, and viewpoints looking out over the Salton Sea and the surrounding mountains. In winter especially, the mix of snow geese, sandhill cranes, and other migratory birds turns a simple walk into a moving wildlife show. Expect full sun, soft dirt underfoot, and plenty of open space rather than steep climbs.
02
Best Salton Sea shoreline walk
Salton Sea State Recreation Area
North Shore Of The Salton Sea • Lakeside Desert Park With Shoreline Trails • Best For Sunset And Camping
A mix of beachside paths and informal shoreline routes lets you wander right along the strange, shimmering edge of the Salton Sea.
From the campground and day-use areas, you can follow the crunchy white shoreline for as long as you like, with wide-open views and a constant play of light on the water. It is more of a wandering, choose-your-own-distance kind of hike than a set loop, which makes it easy to fit around the heat or a picnic. Bring a camera and stay for the evening colors, which can be spectacular on clear days.
03
Classic desert canyon hike
Borrego Palm Canyon Trail (Anza-Borrego Desert State Park)
Near Borrego Springs In Anza-Borrego Desert State Park • Oasis Canyon Hike With Rocky Desert Terrain • Classic Day Hike For First-Timers
This well-loved trail climbs a rocky wash into a palm-filled oasis, showing off the best of Anza-Borrego in just a few miles.
Starting from the Borrego Palm Canyon campground, the route follows a boulder-strewn wash toward a stand of native California fan palms tucked into the canyon. The walking is mostly moderate but can involve rock-hopping and a bit of route finding when the wash braids. It is a longer drive from Westmorland than the Salton Sea spots, but the mix of desert views, wildlife, and shade at the oasis makes it a standout day trip.
04
Wildest ridge-and-canyon country
Coyote Mountains Wilderness
West Of Westmorland Toward The Anza-Borrego Badlands • Remote Desert Peaks And Rugged Canyons • Best For Experienced Desert Hikers
Trackless ridges, steep gullies, and big views define this wild BLM wilderness area just a short drive from the valley floor.
There are no signed hiking trails here, just old tracks and open desert leading up into sharp, folded hills that rise above the surrounding flats. Hikers typically follow washes or informal routes onto ridgelines for panoramic views of the Salton Sea, the Imperial Valley, and distant mountain ranges. Navigation skills, extra water, and a high-clearance vehicle for the access roads make this a better choice for seasoned desert hikers than casual walkers.
05
Best wide-open desert ramble
Yuha Desert Recreation Area
Southwest Of El Centro In The Yuha Desert • Open Desert Landscape With Historical Sites • Best For Quiet Exploratory Rambles
Gently rolling desert, scattered washes, and a handful of interpretive stops invite unhurried, choose-your-own-distance walks.
The Yuha Desert is less about a single marquee trail and more about wandering among creosote flats, low hills, and viewpoints with a sense of deep space. Short walks from roadside pullouts lead to features like fossil shells, viewpoints, and historic markers, and you can extend them into longer cross-country loops if you are comfortable navigating open desert. It is a good option when you want solitude, easy terrain, and a feel for the broader Imperial Valley landscape beyond the farms.