The Living Desert
Park · Palm Desert, CA
About
You'll notice the desert landscape first, but The Living Desert is part zoo, part botanical garden, and part natural history museum. Established in 1970 by trustees of the Palm Springs Desert Museum who wanted to preserve the local ecosystem, it's a nonprofit accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. You can feed giraffes and explore a butterfly exhibit among the native plants and animals.
The grounds are best visited in the morning when it's cooler. Bring water or buy some at the cafes. The guided tram tour covers a lot, but some regulars prefer walking with a map to go at their own pace. In November and December, the Wild Lights event is a seasonal treat. For free admission, use Bank of America's Museums on Us program.
Features
- ✓Feed giraffes up close
- ✓Walk the nature trails with a map
- ✓Visit Wild Lights in winter
Good for
Practical
What people say
Rated from 1,591 reviews. 23 community ratings. View this venue on Yelp
From the community
“I'M HERE EVERY FEW MONTHS”
One of my favorite Palm Springs activities is going to The Living Desert. In addition to desert plants and local wildlife, you'll see animals from other regions. I prefer walking with a map over the guided tram tour. Arrive early and bring bottled water on hot days. For a special experience, go from late November through December for Wild Lights. Also, you can get discounted or free entry by becoming a member, or get free admission through a bank museum program.
A visitor · Over a year ago
“Fun Place”
If you're into botany or similar fields, this is the place to be. It's a great spot to spend the day and it's very educational. Remember to bring water to stay hydrated. I would definitely return because there's always something new to learn.
A guest · Over a year ago
“Fascinating Zoo and Botanical Garden”
If you're as interested in desert plants and animals as I am, set aside a few morning hours to explore The Living Desert. I suggest going in the morning because of the heat. Bring bottled water to stay hydrated, although the park sells drinks too. There's a large collection of animals and plants, making it a good place to learn about desert life. The giraffes were my favorite, but there are many other animals as well.
A recent visitor · Over a year ago
“A True Educations!”
Put on comfortable walking shoes and experience the desert like never before. You'll learn a lot. Definitely bring your camera!
A local visitor · Over a year ago
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Living Desert LGBTQ+-owned or focused? +
The Living Desert is a nonprofit, accredited zoo and botanical garden. While not explicitly LGBTQ+-focused, it welcomes all visitors and is a popular attraction in a LGBTQ+ friendly area.
What are the hours? +
The Living Desert is open daily from 7am to 1:30pm.
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