Hike of the Month: Dos Palmas Preserve

Near the Salton Sea, a 14,000-acre preserve conceals a lush wetland oasis fed by artesian springs and seepage from the Coachella Canal. Easy walking trails of varying length, depending on your starting point, lead to hundreds of fan palms, geothermal pools, and native plants that sustain wildlife. For a family-friendly stroll, park in the lot on Sea Breeze Drive and follow the milelong San Andres Trail to loop around the oasis. The elusive Yuma clapper rail (a marsh bird) nests within the cattails, while the desert pupfish, an endangered species dating back to the Pleistocene era, swims in the warm pools. Shade is limited; bring a hat and plenty of water.