Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, Nature reserve in Morongo Valley, California.

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is a nature reserve in the high desert of Southern California, where a water-fed canyon cuts through an otherwise dry landscape. The canyon floor holds marshy areas lined with cottonwood trees and willow thickets, while the surrounding hillsides are dry and open.

The last people to inhabit the canyon before white settlers were the Morongos, a powerful clan of Serrano Indians, who lived there until the mid-1800s. The preserve contains the Maringa Serrano permanent settlement (CA SBR-561), where bedrock mortars, ceramics and projectile points have been found. The Nature Conservancy, San Bernardino County and the Bureau of Land Management created the preserve in 1982; ARCO donated 570 acres in 1989.

The preserve is considered one of the top birding spots in the southwestern United States, drawing visitors from far away during spring and fall migration seasons. Simple signs along the trails explain how plants and animals cope with desert conditions, making a walk through the area feel educational without being overwhelming.

Entry is free, and parking is available at the main entrance just outside Morongo Valley. Visitors should carry water, as temperatures can get very high in summer, and sturdy shoes are a good idea for the uneven trails.

Despite sitting in one of the driest parts of North America, the canyon has water flowing through it year round, fed by underground springs. This permanent water supply draws over 250 bird species, more than many far wetter areas in the region.