Morongo Valley lies along the western ed  ge of the Mojave Desert and near the northern edge of the Coachella Valley. It is is a nature-lover’s paradise with wonderful, starlit nights and a friendly, small-town environment. A popular destination in Morongo Valley is the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve. The preserve is nestled among the Little San Bernardino Mountains. The desert oasis at Big Morongo Canyon is one of the 10 largest cottonwood and willow riparian (stream) habitats in California. The upstream end of the canyon lies in the Mojave Desert, while its downstream portion opens into the Colorado Desert. The Morongo fault running through the canyon causes water draining from the surrounding mountains to form Big Morongo Creek and the marsh habitat.