Free things to do with the family
Parks, trails, libraries and more that cost nothing at all.
- Libraries run free story times, crafts and summer reading programs.
- Some museums have free days each month. Check their websites.
- Pack a picnic and make a day of it at a park.
137 places
- Agua Caliente ParkPark in Cathedral City.
- Arroyo ParkPark in Desert Hot Springs.
- Art Samson Community LibraryLibrary in Thousand Palms.
- Bagdouma ParkA 46-acre park with a community pool, tennis courts, sports fields and picnic areas.
- Baristo ParkPark in Palm Springs.
- Big Horn Overlook Hiking TrailPark in Rancho Mirage.
Big Morongo Canyon PreserveKid-friendlyShaded boardwalk through a desert marsh; famous for birdwatching.- Blixseth Mountain ParkDesert landscaping and walking paths with mountain views.
- Browns Town ParkPark in Desert Hot Springs.
- Cahuilla Hills ParkA shady park with picnic tables near the hillside trails.
- Cahuilla ParkPark in Indio.
- Cathedral City Dog ParkDog park in Cathedral City.
- Cathedral City LibraryKid-friendlyRiverside County branch library.
- Cathedral City Soccer ParkPark in Cathedral City.
- Century ParkPark with basketball, tennis and pickleball courts, barbecues and shade.
- Cesar Chavez Memorial ParkPark in Coachella.
- Chuckwalla TrailPark in Rancho Mirage.
- Citrus PlazaPublic plaza in Indio.
- City of Cathedral City Parks & RecreationPark in Cathedral City.
- Civic Center CampusPark in La Quinta.
- Civic Center ParkPark in Palm Desert.
- Civic Center Skate ParkSkate park in Palm Desert Civic Center Park.
- Coachella LibraryKid-friendlyNewer library in downtown Coachella with kids' space.
- Coachella Tot LotA small play area made for young children.
- Coachella Valley PreservePark in Palm Springs.
Coachella Valley Preserve (Thousand Palms Oasis)Kid-friendlyFan-palm oasis with boardwalk trails and a rustic visitor center.- Coachella Veterans Memorial ParkPark in Coachella.
- Corsini Coyote ParkDog park in Desert Hot Springs.
- Dateland ParkNeighborhood park with a skate park, next to Bobby Duke Middle School.
- De Oro ParkPark in Coachella.
- Demuth ParkPark in Palm Springs.
- Dennis Keat Soccer ParkSeveral soccer fields with shade, next to a middle school.
- Desert Hot Springs LibraryLibrary in Desert Hot Springs.
- Desert Hot Springs Public LibraryLibrary in Desert Hot Springs.
- Desert Hot Springs SkateparkPark in Desert Hot Springs.
- DHS Bike ParkSkate park in Desert Hot Springs.
- DHS Rotary Dog ParkDog park in Desert Hot Springs.
- Discover Palm DesertVisitor center in Palm Desert.
- Dominguez ParkPark with a splash pad, playground, basketball courts, barbecues and walking paths.
- Eisenhower ParkPark in La Quinta.
- El Mirador Park, Palm Springs, CaliforniaPark in Palm Springs.
- Esperanza ParkA 7.5-acre open park in the Dream Homes neighborhood.
- Fairway ParkA small, open half-acre park.
- Falsetto Dog Park Palm DesertPark in Palm Desert.
- Fish Traps Archaeological SitePark in Thermal.
- Frances Hack ParkPark in La Quinta.
- Frances Stevens ParkShady downtown park on Palm Canyon Drive.
- Freedom ParkPark with pavilions, statues and a fountain, next to an elementary school.
- Friends of the Palm Springs LibraryLibrary in Palm Springs.
- Fritz Burns ParkPark in La Quinta.
- George S Patton ParkPark in Indio.
- Guy I Tedesco ParkPark in Desert Hot Springs.
- Hike to the Palm Desert CrossPark in Palm Desert.
- Hits Desert Horse ParkPark in Thermal.
- Hovley Soccer ParkSoccer fields with a playground and shade.
- Indian Ridge Dog ParkDog park in Palm Desert.
- Indio Community ParkLarge park with a big playground, soccer fields and picnic areas.
- Indio Hills Community ParkCommunity park with a playground, basketball court, picnic area and grills.
- Indio LibraryKid-friendlyRiverside County branch library.
- Ironwood ParkNeighborhood park with a playground and shade canopies.
- Jewel Park, Indio, CaliforniaPark in Indio.
- Joe Mann ParkShady park with a playground and a fenced area.
- Josie Johnson Vista ParkPark in Palm Springs.
- La Quinta Civic Center ParkPark in La Quinta.
- La Quinta Community ParkPark with a playground, a baseball diamond and basketball courts.
- La Quinta LibraryKid-friendlyLibrary in the civic center with kids' programs.
- La Quinta ParkCity park with a splash pad.
- La Quinta Park Skate ParkSkate park in La Quinta.
- La Quinta Village ParkPark in La Quinta.
- La Quinta X ParkSkate park in La Quinta.
- Library Connect-Desert VanLibrary in Indio.
- Magnesia Canyon Ecological ReservePark in Rancho Mirage.
- Magnesia Falls Neighborhood ParkPark in Rancho Mirage.
- Magnesia Falls ParkGrassy park with a playground and shaded seating.
- Mecca Public LibraryLibrary in Mecca.
- Mecca Sports ParkSports park with soccer, volleyball and a gazebo.
- Mesquite ParkPark in Palm Springs.
- Michael S. Wolfson ParkVictorian-style park with a fountain, picnic tables and a walking path.
- Miles ParkPark in Indio.
- Monticello ParkPark in La Quinta.
- Mount San Jacinto State Park & WildernessSkate park in Palm Springs.
- North Jackson ParkPark with a splash pad, playground, softball fields, tennis and basketball courts and walking paths.
- North Shore Community ParkLarge east valley park with a playground and a climbing wall.
- Oasis del Desierto ParkPark opened in 2021 with a playground, swings, basketball and green space.
- Oasis Gardens ParkPark in Thermal.
- Ocotillo ParkPark with a playground, a splash pad, and baseball and soccer fields.
- Painted Canyon & Ladder Canyon TrailColorful slot canyon with ladders; best for older kids in cool months.
Palm Desert Civic Center ParkKid-friendlyLarge park with playgrounds, skate park, aquatic center nearby and community events.- Palm Desert Civic Center ParkPark in Indio.
- Palm Desert Community ParkPark in Palm Desert.
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