Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

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Overview

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is a great way to beat the heat of Palm Springs and spend time in the mountains. The tram takes you up to Mt. San Jacinto State Park (8,516 feet), where there are plenty of hiking trails and campgrounds you can enjoy. It makes a great place for any van or RV nomad to spend the day exploring the wilderness. 

Adventure

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is your ticket to another side of Palm Springs that most tourists don’t see. It’s the world’s largest rotating tram and transports riders 2.5 miles to the pristine wilderness of Mt. San Jacinto State Park. During your approximately ten-minute journey the tram car will rotate slowly offering picturesque and spectacular vistas of the valley floor below. 

Once you reach the top you will arrive at Mountain Station. From there you can spend the day hiking, bird watching, or finding a great place to camp. If you want a more leisurely experience you can enjoy the restaurants, observation decks, natural history museum, two documentary theaters, a gift shop at the mountain station. 

Hiking

Mt. San Jacinto State Park offers over 50 miles of hiking trails.  All trails are accessed by exiting the Mountain Station and descending a concrete pathway to Long Valley. There you will find picnic tables, the ranger station, flush toilets, and several easy trails.

Map: Mt San Jacinto State Park Trail Map

The most popular hiking trails are:

  • Long Valley Discovery Trail (1.5 Miles Easy)
  • Roud Valley Trail (2.5 Miles Easy)
  • San Jacinto Peak (5.5 MIles Moderate)

Camping

There are six primitive campgrounds within the Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Area. You must camp within the designated campgrounds and get a camping permit. The closest campground to the Tram is picturesque Round Valley.

Application: Mt San Jacinto Camping Wilderness Permit Application

Camping permits may be obtained in advance by mail or in-person and cost $5. Mount San Jacinto State Park accepts up to 56 days in advance. You can also get them on the day of your trip, if any are available at that time. Send your application with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Mount San Jacinto State Wilderness
P.O. Box 308
(25905 Highway 243)
Idyllwild, CA 92549
(951) 659-2607

Parking

There is RV and large van parking available at the tram station. The parking fee is $10.

References and Links

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