Big Morongo Canyon Preserve

34.05031 , -116.57012

United States of America (USA)

The Morongo valley links the Mojave desert in the northwest to the Colorado desert in the southeast. Thanks to a stream the valley is effectively an oasis, with marsh and riparian habitat as well as dry scrub. With the diversity of habitats, over 270 bird species have been recorded, making this a celebrated Southern California hotspot. 

Native American peoples used Big Morongo Canyon as a passageway between the high and low deserts. The last of these people to inhabit the canyon were a Serrano group known as the Morongo, for whom the canyon is named.

Habitat restoration and educational work are conducted by the Friends of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. Details are at https://bigmorongo.org/

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Admin : : 34.0503/-116.5701 (2018-05-20 00:00:00 )

Site name was set by Admin : as "Big Morongo Canyon Preserve" (2018-05-20 00:00:00 )

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2026-04-26 12:51:50
The Morongo valley links the Mojave desert in the northwest to the Colorado desert in the southeast. Thanks to a stream the valley is effectively an oasis, with marsh and riparian habitat as well as dry scrub. With the diversity of habitats, over 270 bird species have been recorded, making this a celebrated Southern California hotspot.  Native American peoples used Big Morongo Canyon as a passageway between the high and low deserts. The last of these people to inhabit the canyon were a Serrano group known as the Morongo, for whom the canyon is named. Habitat restoration and educational work are conducted by the Friends of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. Details are at https://bigmorongo.org/
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2026-04-26 12:38:05
The Morongo valley links the Mojave desert in the northwest to the Colorado desert in the southeast. Thanks to a stream the valley is effectively an oasis, with marsh and riparian habitat as well as dry scrub. With the diversity of habitats, over 270 bird species have been recorded, making this a celebrated Southern California hotspot.  Habitat restoration and educational work are conducted by the Friends of Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. Details are at https://bigmorongo.org/
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2026-04-26 12:31:08
The Morongo valley links the Mojave desert in the northwest to the Colorado desert in the southeast. Thanks to a stream the valley is effectively an oasis, with marsh and riparian habitat as well as dry scrub. With the diversity of habitats, over 270 bird species have been recorded.recorded, making this a celebrated Southern California hotspot.  Details are at https://bigmorongo.org/
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2026-04-26 12:17:27
The Morongo valley links the Mojave desert in the northwest to the Colorado desert in the southeast. Thanks to a stream the valley is effectively an oasis, with marsh and riparian habitat as well as dry scrub. With the diversity of habitats, over 270 bird species have been recorded.  Details are at https://bigmorongo.org/

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Gambel's Quail (Callipepla gambelii)
White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica)
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri)
Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae)
Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus)
Nuttall's Woodpecker (Dryobates nuttallii)
Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus)
Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus)
Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii)
Oak Titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus)
Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea)
California Thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum)
Lawrence's Goldfinch (Spinus lawrencei)
Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus)
Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens)
Lucy's Warbler (Leiothlypis luciae)
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra)
Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena)

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) was added by Stephen Matthews (2026-04-26 12:45:11)

Costa's Hummingbird (Calypte costae) was added by Stephen Matthews (2026-04-26 12:44:59)

Gambel's Quail (Callipepla gambelii) was added by Stephen Matthews (2026-04-26 12:44:51)

Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) was added by Stephen Matthews (2026-04-26 12:39:54)

Nuttall's Woodpecker (Dryobates nuttallii) was added by Stephen Matthews (2026-04-26 12:39:01)

Oak Titmouse (Baeolophus inornatus) was added by Stephen Matthews (2026-04-26 12:22:39)

Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena) was added by Stephen Matthews (2026-04-26 11:52:57)

Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) was added by Stephen Matthews (2026-04-26 11:51:59)

Lawrence's Goldfinch (Spinus lawrencei) was added by Stephen Matthews (2026-04-26 11:51:46)

California Thrasher (Toxostoma redivivum) was added by Stephen Matthews (2026-04-26 11:51:35)

Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) was added by Stephen Matthews (2026-04-26 11:50:42)

Bell's Vireo (Vireo bellii) was added by Stephen Matthews (2026-04-26 11:50:32)

Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens) was added by Stephen Matthews (2026-04-26 11:50:25)

Lucy's Warbler (Leiothlypis luciae) was added by Stephen Matthews (2026-04-26 11:50:00)

White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) was added by Stephen Matthews (2026-04-26 11:49:52)

Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) was added by Stephen Matthews (2026-04-26 11:49:18)

Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) was added by Stephen Matthews (2026-04-26 11:49:11)

Brown-crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus tyrannulus) was added by Stephen Matthews (2026-04-26 11:49:00)

  • Timing and strategy

The birding begins at the car park and the surrounding Covington Park, where Vermillion Flycatcher and White-winged Dove may be present. To enter the valley, walk southeast along a grassy track. Lark Sparrow, Lucy's Warbler, Lawrence's and Lesser Goldfinch may be seen along the track. 

Thanks to the convenient location, good birding can be had in a one-hour stopover on the way to Joshua Tree National Park. Longer trips further into the valley lead through additional habitats including marsh and riparian woodland. A range of trails are available: see https://bigmorongo.org/go-for-a-hike/

Big Morongo Canyon Preserve runs regular bird walks on Wednesday mornings: see https://bigmorongo.org/birding/ 

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2026-04-26 12:58
The birding begins at the car park and the surrounding Covington Park, where Vermillion Flycatcher and White-winged Dove may be present. To enter the valley, walk southeast along a grassy track. Lark Sparrow, Lucy's Warbler, Lawrence's and Lesser Goldfinch may be seen along the track.  Thanks to the convenient location, good birding can be had in a one-hour stopover on the way to Joshua Tree National Park. Longer trips further into the valley lead through additional habitats including marsh and riparian woodland. woodland. A range of trails are available: see https://bigmorongo.org/go-for-a-hike/ Big Morongo Canyon Preserve runs regular bird walks on Wednesday mornings: see https://bigmorongo.org/birding/ 
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2026-04-26 12:20
The birding begins at the car park and the surrounding Covington Park, where Vermillion Flycatcher and White-winged Dove may be present. To enter the valley, walk southeast along a grassy track. Lark Sparrow, Lucy's Warbler, Lawrence's and Lesser Goldfinch may be seen along the track.  Thanks to the convenient location, good birding can be had in a one-hour stopover on the way to Joshua Tree National Park. Longer trips further into the valley lead through additional habitats including marsh and riparian woodland.woodland. Big Morongo Canyon Preserve runs bird walks on Wednesday mornings: see https://bigmorongo.org/birding/ 
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2026-04-26 12:18
The birding begins at the car park and the surrounding Covington Park, where Vermillion Flycatcher and White-winged Dove may be present. To enter the valley, walk southeast along a grassy track. Lark Sparrow, Lucy's Warbler, Lawrence's and Lesser Goldfinch may be seen along the track.  Thanks to the convenient location, good birding can be had in a one-hour stopver stopover on the way to Joshua Tree National Park. Longer trips further into the valley will open up lead through additional habitats and species.including marsh and riparian woodland.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2026-04-26 12:09
The birding begins at the car park and the surrounding Covington Park, where Vermillion Flycatcher and White-winged Dove may be present. To enter the valley, walk southeast along a grassy track. Lark Sparrow, Lucy's Warbler, Lawrence's and Lesser Goldfinch may be seen along the track.  Thanks to the convenient location, good birding can be had in a one-hour stopver on the way to Joshua Tree National Park. Longer trips further into the valley will open up additional habitats and species.
  • How to get there

The site is easily reached from Los Angeles by the I-10 freeway and California route 62 (29 Palms Highway). To reach the parking area, turn right on East Drive in Morongo Valley, then left on Covington Drive. From LAX airport this is around 2 hours' drive. From Palm Springs airport, it is half an hour's drive via the I-10 freeway and route 62.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2026-04-26 12:00
The site is easily reached from Los Angeles by the I-10 freeway and California route 62 (29 Palms Highway). To reach the parking area, turn right on East Drive in Morongo Valley, then left on Covington Drive. From LAX airport this is around 2 hours' drive. From Palm Springs airport, it is half an hour's drive via the I-10 freeway and route 62.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Not available yet
  • Other attractions

California Ground Squirrel, Desert Cottontail and Mule Deer are common. Bobcat and Mountain Lion are resident but less easily seen. Several species of lizard are common. Resident snakes include Red Diamond Rattlesnake and California King Snake. Over 70 species of butterfly and 12 species of dragonfly/damselfly are recorded.

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2026-04-26 12:49
California Ground Squirrel, Desert Cottontail and Mule Deer are common. Bobcat and Mountain Lion are resident but less easily seen. Several species of lizard are common. Resident snakes include Red Diamond Rattlesnake and California King Snake. Over 70 species of butterfly and 12 species of dragonfly/damselfly are recorded.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2026-04-26 12:40
California Ground Squirrel, Desert Cottontail and Mule Deer are common. Bobcat and Mountain Lion are resident but less easily seen. Several species of lizard are common. Resident snakes include Red Diamond Rattlesnake and Calfornia California King Snake.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2026-04-26 12:29
California Ground Squirrel, Desert Cottontail and Mule Deer are common. Bobcat and Mountain Lion are resident but less easily seen. Several species of lizard are common. Resident snakes include Red Diamond Rattlesnake and Calfornia King Snake.

There are several cafes and restaurants in Morongo Valley.

Restrooms are provided at the car park at Covington Park.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2026-04-26 12:03
There are several cafes and restaurants in Morongo Valley. Restrooms are provided at the car park at Covington Park.

Desert precautions such as such as sunscreen and hats, plentiful water and first aid supplies are recommended. 

Venomous snakes are present, notably rattlesnakes.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2026-04-26 12:34
Desert precautions such as such as sunscreen and hats, plentiful water and first aid equipment supplies are recommended.  Venomous snakes are present, notably rattlesnakes.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2026-04-26 12:33
Desert precautions such as such as sunscreen and hats, plentiful water and first aid equipment are recommended.  Venomous snakes are present, notably rattlesnakes.
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

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Big Morongo Canyon Preserve - Orniverse