Free Community Art Class: Clay Workshop
Saturday, December 6, 2025 11:00AM-3:00PM
Join us for a hands-on clay workshop with ceramics instructor Amy Redfeather. Amy will guide participants through the process of creating their own clay masterpieces, perfect for beginners and creatives of all levels. No pre-registration is required, just stop by and get creative!
IVDM Lowlanders: Cool Canyon
Saturday, December 13, 2025- 8:00AM
Discover a canyon adventure in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, where unique rock formations and desert plants line the trail. This 3-mile intermediate hike includes an elevation gain of about 800 feet, with sections that require climbing and maneuvering through rocky terrain. 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 the museum)
Jacumba Hikers: Sombrero Peak via McCain Valley
Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 8:00AM
The hike to Sombrero Peak is a long one…approximately 10 miles in and out (1548’ elevation gain/ loss). Meet at 9:00 am at Cottonwood Campground on McCain Valley Rd. To get there, from I-8 take exit 65 and follow McCain Valley Rd to Cottonwood Campground.
Free Community Event: Jolly Crafts
Saturday, December 13, 2025 from 11:00AM-3:00PM
Let's jingle & mingle, join us for a holiday themed craft day. We will have crafts, movies, and delicious snacks!
December Volunteer Day
Sunday, December 14, 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. 📚
IVDM Lowlanders: Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves
Saturday, December 20, 2025- 8:00AM
To wrap up the year with a fun adventure, join us for a trek to the Arroyo Tapiado Mud Caves, one of the most unique attractions in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Located deep in the park’s southern section, these caves offer a truly memorable experience. Please note: access requires a four-wheel-drive vehicle, no dogs allowed, and carpooling is highly encouraged. Leaves from IVDM parking lot at 8:00AM (1.5 hr drive from museum)
Jacumba Hikers: Myer Creek to Happy's Upper & Lower Camps
Saturday, November 20, 2025 at 8:00AM
This is a challenging 5-mile trek into the Jacumba Wilderness. It includes strenuous bouldering and hiking up sandy creek beds, steep trails, and rugged terrain to get from Myer Creek to the old homesites of Happy who once lived in this remote high desert area. Leaves from IVDM parking lot at 8:00AM.
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