All this for one little critter? The 20,000-plus acre Coachella Valley Preserve, along the San Andreas Fault and just east of the San Bernadino mountains, is dedicated to the protection of the endangered Coachella Valley Fringe-Toed Lizard, but

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All this for one little critter? The 20,000-plus acre Coachella Valley Preserve, along the San Andreas Fault and just east of the San Bernadino mountains, is dedicated to the protection of the endangered Coachella Valley Fringe-Toed Lizard, but there's plenty to see here beyond reptile life. A natural oasis that was once visited by native people for its spring waters, Coachella Valley Preserve has been a public park since 1984. The visitor center is located inside one of the original buildings and features memorabilia and information about the area.

The proximity to the fault means that the land is more wet here than in most of the desert, whic means it's habitable by wildlife that wouldn't otherwise be able to live here. Once inside the preserve, well-marked trails take visitors over marshes, through a fan palm forest, and into the desert. Witness coyotes, mountain lions, hawks, jackrabbits, roadrunners, and reptiles—including the Fringe-Toed Lizard himself—in their natural habitat. A mile or so into the desert, you’ll find the cool calm of the McCallum Oasis. Be sure to look for signs pointing out plant life along the way.

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