Chino Canyon, Desert canyon in Palm Springs, United States

Chino Canyon is a mountain canyon near Palm Springs in Southern California, dropping from higher southern sections down to the desert valley floor. A creek and a seasonal waterfall run through the terrain and shape the look of the canyon as it descends.

The Cahuilla people have lived in and around the canyon for centuries, relying on its water and resources. In the mid-1900s, the construction of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway brought new access to the area and changed how people moved through it.

The canyon's name is not tied to a documented figure in the sources; it is the name given to the desert canyon that carries Chino Canyon Creek. The creek is fed by springs that produce a waterfall and a stream flowing under the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Valley Station before drying up about 3.5 miles down the canyon. Visitors today see the creek bed and the tramway infrastructure that crosses the canyon.

The area is best explored on foot, and sturdy shoes along with enough water are strongly recommended for any trail. Going early in the day helps with parking and makes the walk more comfortable in the cooler morning air.

The seasonal waterfall feeds small pools in the lower part of the canyon that support desert plants and animals rarely found in such dry surroundings. These temporary pools disappear into the ground once the rainy season ends, leaving no visible trace behind.