Big Wheels Tours | Every Adventure Gives Back

YOUR POSITIVE IMPACT

Total Positive Impact To Date | Membership Since March 2026

2

individuals receive the ability to enjoy a safe, guided desert walk for every $10 donated

100 %

donated to Friends of the Desert Mountains

$ 1

dollar per purchase goes to Friends of the Desert Mountains

Charity MIssion

Preserve land, to support education, conservation and research in the Coachella Valley, and to act as the support organization for the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.

 

Why is it important?

For the past 35 years, Friends of the Desert Mountains has protected over 60,000 acres. They currently manage and monitor over 17,000 acres of conservation land. 

As Friends of the Desert Mountains, they are dedicated to building a community of support to help preserve the unique wildlife and scenic beauty of the Coachella Valley and Desert Mountains. The Friends’ vision for the Coachella Valley is a thriving and productive community integrated with a healthy and sustainable natural environment. They achieve this through their core values of Stewardship of the land, Collaboration with local partners and indigenous tribes, Education that will last a lifetime, and Access for All to the valley’s beautiful landscape. 

How do they do it?

Friends of the Desert Mountains is dedicated to building a community of support to help preserve the unique wildlife and scenic beauty of the Coachella Valley and local mountains. They acquire and preserve wildlands, promote stewardship of the trails, conduct educational programs, and support ecological outreach.

Friends of the Desert Mountains works with biologists, conservationists, and government agencies to identify key lands for protection. They select land for its scenic, biological, recreational, or cultural significance and then offer to purchase it from willing sellers at fair market value. Through these key acquisitions, they permanently protect the beauty, character, and diversity of the Coachella Valley.

As stewards of the land, they support the National Monument Visitor Center and educate the community. They go into the field with kids, lead hikes, and give classes. By doing so, they hope to reveal the wonders of the fragile desert and mountains and instill an environmental awareness that will last a lifetime.

How you can #TravelKindly:

  • Reserve an adventure at Big Wheel Tours in Palm Springs, CA, where every stay gives back. Each stay includes a donation to Friends of the Desert Mountains. Reserve Now.
  • Take a hike with the Friends. They are experts in leading safe guided hikes and birdwatching walks. They also offer nighttime hikes during full moons and host nighttime events and stargazing parties. 
  • Before you go on any hike, make sure to recreate responsibly, leave no trace, and bring the “10 Essentials.”
  • Volunteer with the Friends, apart from the sense of pride and accomplishment that comes with working on individual projects, many Friends volunteers (and all of the staff) feel a sense of family that comes naturally with the shared values, exchange of ideas, and respect for each other and the environment that brings us together

About Big Wheels Tours

Since 1998, Big Wheels Tour has helped thousands of visitors to Palm Springs experience the beauty of the surrounding desert. The company offers guided bicycle and jeep tours that explore the captivating landscapes of the Coachella Valley, including destinations such as Indian Canyons and Joshua Tree National Park.

Each tour is customized to meet the individual needs and interests of every group. Tour sizes are intentionally kept small, and guides are carefully trained and equipped with the knowledge necessary to ensure the best possible experience.

In addition to guided tours, Big Wheels Tour offers more than 400 rental bicycles to choose from. With a wide variety of options — ranging from Benno Cruisers to full-suspension mountain bikes — the company guarantees guests will find exactly what they are looking for. For more than 20 years, Big Wheels Tour has remained a premier outdoor adventure company in Palm Springs.

Learn more about the partners

Big Wheel Tours Friends of the Desert Mountains

Learn more about Kind Traveler's Every Stay Gives Back community impact program