The Little Known Natural Oasis Hiding In Southern California That’s Impossible Not To Love

Painted Canyon is a gorgeous spot about 40 miles from Palm Spring, in the Mecca Hills Recreation Area. The colorful, exposed layers of rock and textured walls of the slot canyon here are a natural oasis that you should definitely visit. Spend some time and explore the slot canyon via the Ladder Canyon Trail.

Painted Canyon gets its name from these tri-colored mountains.

Take Painted Canyon Road four miles to the parking lot at the end.

Walk about 1/4 mile until you see the rock arrow that points the way to the canyon.

You'll enter this gorgeous slot canyon, where your journey into this oasis really gets exciting.

These high cliff walls are a perfect perch for birds of prey.

The textures of the walls and the rock formations are beautiful.

A series of ladders take you up through the slot canyon - this is why the trail is called Ladder Canyon Trail.

Once you reach the plateau, the views get even more amazing.

You can see the Salton Sea in the distance.

As you head back along the rim of the slot canyon, the views of it and the surrounding mountains are stunning.

You'll descend another series of ladders to get back to the floor of the canyon.

The loop is 4.3 miles; it takes most people about three hours to complete.

The Ladder Canyon Trail is moderately difficult and requires climbing and descending several ladders. Make sure you're fit enough before attempting to hike. Bring plenty of water along, and some snacks. Before you hike, check the weather - flash flooding is common in this slot canyon. Have you ever hiked here? Tell us about it!

Looking for another hidden spot in Southern California? Check out this hidden cove!