NOW ON DISPLAY:
The Imperial Valley Desert Museum, in partnership with Salvation Mountain, is proud to present, Follow the Yellow Brick Road: The Life & Legacy of Leonard Knight.
Exhibit Dates: February 6 – June 3, 2026
Photo Courtesy of: Ralph Elliot Starkweather
IVDM Lowlanders: Desert Overlook & Moonlight Canyon Trails
Saturday, February 28, 2026- 8:00AM
Agua Caliente County Park features several beautiful trails for all skill levels. Please note: no dogs are allowed and carpooling is highly encouraged. Leaves from IVDM parking lot at 8:00AM. (40 min drive from the museum)
IVDM Lowlanders: Cool Canyon
Saturday, March 7, 2026- 8:00AM
Discover a canyon adventure in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, where unique rock formations and desert plants line the trail. Please note: no dogs are allowed on this hike, and carpooling is highly encouraged. Leaves from IVDM parking lot at 8:00AM (50 min drive from museum)
Jacumba Hikers: Two Caves & Valley of the Moon
Saturday, March 7, 2026- 8:00AM
This is an approximately 8-mile rugged hike which takes us into the Jacumba Wilderness.Meets at Valley of the Moon Trail Kiosk/Parking on Old Hwy 80 at 8:00AM. Take I-8 to In-Ko-Pah/Exit 77. Go to Old Hwy 80 on the east side of I-8. Turn right onto Old Hwy 80 and go about 0.2 mi. (GPS N32.63988, W116.10713)
March Volunteer Day
Sunday, March 15, 2026 from 11:00AM-2:00PM.
Join us for a hands-on volunteer day supporting our Curation Department! We are looking for volunteers to help with organizing and caring for historical materials in our collection.
10th Annual Wine Tasting & Silent Auction
Friday, March 27, 2026 6:00PM-9:00PM
Join us for a milestone celebration at our 10th Annual Wine Tasting & Silent Auction! Enjoy wine, champagne, appetizers, and desserts while supporting our mission to preserve desert history and culture.
Jacumba Hikers: Devil's Canyon to Hidden Mountain Cave
Saturday, March 28, 2026- 8:00AM
On this approximate 6-mile hike, we will hike through beautiful high- desert terrain, sandy washes, and then under the interstate-8 Devil’s Canyon Bridge after bouldering up (optional) to a hidden mountain cave. Leaves from IVDM parking lot at 8:00AM. We will then carpool or caravan to Mountain Springs Rd.
The Imperial Valley Desert Museum is a new facility in the heart of the Yuha Desert housing Indigenous and historic artifacts found within the Imperial Valley and surrounding region. Opening a new museum in the twenty-first century, we do not want to be seen as an exhibit within four walls, but to engage and interact outside of the limitations of the "box" – both metaphorically and physically.
OUR MISSION is to preserve, interpret, and celebrate the deserts of Southern California through outstanding collections, research, and educational programs.
OUR VISION is to be the foremost research and educational institution devoted to the preservation, interpretation, and celebration of the deserts of Southern California.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT We, the Imperial Valley Desert Museum, recognize our place on the traditional lands of the Kumeyaay who have been here, as they say, 'since the beginning', with a vibrant and rich history dating back over 10,000 years. The lands of Imperial and San Diego County include the traditional lands of many Indigenous groups composed of Quechan, Cahuilla, CoCoPah, Pai Pai, and Kumeyaay. Each of these groups are still present and active today.
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Ocotillo, CA 92259