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Exploring the beautiful nature of California


California Nature: Big Morongo Canyon Preserve


The Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is a 31,000 acre native plants habitat and wildlife preserve located in the Little San Bernardino Mountains of the Transverse Ranges, in the transition zone between the higher Mojave Desert and lower elevation Colorado Desert. The site is located 15 miles north of Palm Springs, California.

For centuries Big Morongo Canyon was used by nomadic Indians, who found water and game plentiful here. More than 235 bird species have been observed in the preserve, including several rare species. Many additional transient species are present during the spring and fall migration seasons. Water also attracts desert bighorn sheep, raccoons, bobcats, coyotes, and other mammals. The preserve is listed as a National Watchable Wildlife Site.

The Preserve is open daily from 7:30 am to sunset. Winter, fall and spring are the best times of the year to visit this area. The Preserve has a desert climate with hot, dry summers and moderate winters. Rainfall is scarce, and winter and spring nighttime temperatures can be cool.
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve has a nice walkway filled with California nature on both sides

Big Morongo Canyon is one of the 10 largest cottonwood and willow riparian (stream) habitats in California. The upstream end of the canyon lies in the Mojave Desert, while its downstream portion opens into the Colorado Desert.

Because of the fault line running along the base of the mountains, water draining from the Morongo Basin surfaces at their base. This water flows above ground as Big Morongo Creek, then disappears into sandy soil further downstream. The result is a three-mile stretch of rich stream and marsh habitat lying between rugged canyon walls.

This canyon oasis has gained a national reputation among birdwatchers as "a usual spot to see the unusual." At least 235 species of birds have been observed here, including the rare yellow-billed cuckoo, listed by California as a threatened species, and the endangered least Bell's vireo. The stream is a lifeline to migrating and breeding birds such as indigo buntings and yellow-breasted chats.
Desert bighorn sheep and mule deer file down the canyon's steep slopes to find water at the stream. Raccoons, bobcats, and coyotes rely on the lush riparian habitat for food and shelter. A variety of lizards and snakes are found here, including whiptailed lizards and desert spiny lizards.. The California tree frog also finds a home here, as do invertebrates such as butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. Dawn and dusk are good times to watch for small mammals and predators - and during the summer, for peninsular bighorn sheep.

The preserve has several short trails that are under a mile long, and one longer trail that is approximately five miles long. An information kiosk is located at the trail head just off the parking lot. Facilities include a nature education center, restrooms, and a wheelchair-accessible trail of half a mile.

At 31,000 acres with elevations ranging from 600 feet on the canyon floor to 3000 feet at the top of the ridge, this diverse landscape has been an important part of the Morongo Basin’s natural and cultural history for almost two billion years.
Big Morongo Canyon Preserve has a beautiful view of the san bernardino mountains

Imagine a leisurely hike through a lush, verdant canyon of willows and free flowing water. Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is truly an oasis in this transition zone between the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. The lush vegetation stands in sharp contrast to the surrounding desert slopes.

The last people to inhabit the canyon before the arrival of white settlers were the Morongos, a powerful clan of Serrano Indians.  Life was not easy, but these spiritual people developed strong ties to the earth and all living things, respecting what was given to them and giving back what they could.  They lived peacefully in this valley, enjoying the warm sunny days, cool evenings, and mild winters, until the mid 1800’s.

In 1862 smallpox destroyed more than half the Indian population of Morongo Valley.  Survivors were moved to a reservation near Banning, and Big Morongo Canyon became a working ranch, passing from one rancher to another until 1968.
To preserve the oasis and save this very unique ecological habitat, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) purchased 80 acres from J.L. Covington in 1968. Soon afterward, San Bernardino County obtained 160 acres in the adjacent canyon and, in 1974, the combined 240 acres were dedicated as a Wildlife Preserve.  

In 1980, the Bureau of Land Management designated Big Morongo Canyon as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) in recognition of the ecological features of the area surrounding the oasis and marsh. The ACEC was enlarged over the years under BLM land use plan amendments to the present 31,000 acres. 

In 1994, the BLM assumed the management of TNC lands and has since acquired, through purchase or donation, over 6,000 acres within the Preserve. The BLM manages the San Bernardino County lands in the Preserve in coordination with the County Regional Parks Department.
 
 
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