About 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. This corridor allows wildlife; including mule deer, big horn sheep, and mountain lions, to move freely within this area in search of food and water. Perennial water within the area provides a much-needed stopping point for migrating birds and is essential to the survival of a wide variety of birds, mammals, insects, amphibians, and reptiles. The lush vegetation that grows in the canyon is a sharp contrast to the surrounding dry, desert slopes. Big Morongo ACEC is administered by BLM's Palm Springs-South Coast Field Office. Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is an internationally-recognized birding site. Several rare or unusual species are known to nest here, and many other species are abundant during the spring and fall migration seasons. The Preserve has been designated as an Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy, the American Birding Association, and the Watchable Wildlife National Program, and is featured in the National Geographic Guide to Bird Watching Sites. Over 247 bird species have been recorded in the Preserve, with at least 72 resident breeding species.
How to Get There
From Interstate 10 northwest of Palm Springs, take Highway 62, the "Twentynine Palms Highway." About 10.5 miles north on Highway 62, turn right on East Drive. After about 200 yards, turn left into the Big Morongo Canyon Wildlife Preserve.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Big Morongo Canyon Preserve
Heading to Big Morongo Canyon Preserve? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Big Morongo Canyon Preserve?
No central reservation system listed for Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1173) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Big Morongo Canyon Preserve?
From Interstate 10 northwest of Palm Springs, take Highway 62, the "Twentynine Palms Highway." About 10.5 miles north on Highway 62, turn right on East Drive. After about 200 yards, turn left into the Big Morongo Canyon Wildlife Preserve.
How do I contact Big Morongo Canyon Preserve?
You can reach the park at phone: (760) 363-7190 or email: BLM_CA_Web_PS@blm.gov.
References & Official Resources
