NOW ON DISPLAY- Desert Fables: Illustrations of The Neotenic Queen
January 10, 2025- May 31, 2025
"Desert Fables: Illustrations of The Neotenic Queen," a multimedia art exhibition inspired by the writing and illustrations of Alejandro Canelos (author) and Rachel Ivanyi's (illustrator) book, "The Neotenic Queen: Tales of Sex and Survival in the Sonoran Desert."
IVDM Lowlanders: Desert Overlook & Moonlight Canyon Trails
Saturday, March 29, 2025- 8:00AM
Agua Caliente County Park offers multiple beautiful trails. The Moonlight Canyon Trail is a 2-mile loop that takes you through a shaded wash, up rocky hillsides, with stunning views of the desert and Vallecito Mountains. No dogs! Passenger vehicles OK! Leaves from IVDM parking lot at 8:00AM.(40 min drive from the museum)
Book Club: The Neotenic Queen
Saturday, March 29, 2025 at 2:00PM
Dear readers, you're invited to join author Alejandro Canelos for a discussion of the unique and magnificent desert creatures that inspired his book, "Neotenic Queen: Tales of Sex and Survival in the Sonoran Desert."
Jacumba Hikers: Dolomite Mine & Peak
Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 8:00AM
This approximate 5-mile loop hike begins with the exploration of the remains of the 1950’s Elliot Dolomite Mine. From there, we will hike up a steep, rocky hillside to Dolomite Mine Peak (elevation 1850 ft.) to enjoy the views of the Carrizo Badlands, Carrizo Wash, and Coyote Mountains before hiking down another steep, rocky slope. This hike may be difficult for so because of the steep, slippery, rocky terrain. Leaves from IVDM parking lot at 8:00 am. We will carpool or caravan to the trailhead in high-clearance vehicles.
April Volunteer Day
Sunday, April 13, 2025 from 11:00AM-2:00PM.
Join our Head Curator to assist with organizing our research library and sorting documents and photographs within our collections.
Ocotillo Blooms!
Saturday, April 19, 2025 from 11:00AM-3:00PM- FREE COMMUNITY EVENT
Join us as we celebrate the desert bloom! This is a great chance to get out and experience one of the most colorful and beautiful parts of our local desert! Informational booths, guided walks, activities, and food!
Writing & Art Workshop
Saturday May 3, 2025 11:00AM-2:00PM
Join us for a free community writing & art workshop featuring the author and illustrator of our spring exhibition,Desert Fables: Illustrations from “the Neotenic Queen”.
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.
Visit Us
Ocotillo, CA 92259