Mount San Jacinto Park is one of the things I love about Palm Springs. You can go from the desert to 8,516 ft (2,596 m) elevation in the mountains within a 10-minute tramway ride up to Mount San Jacinto State Park.
Visit the park for hiking, stunning views, a picnic lunch in the mountains, or dine in one of the restaurants.
And in the winter months it is possible to try snowshoeing or cross-country skiing but check for weather and snow conditions in advance.
Scenic view of Palm Springs from Mt San Jacinto State Park
I chose Palm Springs as my nomad home for the month of December and a trip to Mt San Jacinto State Park is something I recommend to anyone visiting the area.
Also if you have time I also recommend a day trip from Palm Springs to Joshua Tree National Park.
Even if you are only in Palm Springs for a weekend then I would suggest visiting Mt San Jacinto Park. The panoramic views of the Coachella Valley are gorgeous.
In addition, the San Andreas Fault is visible from Mt San Jacinto.
Explore all the best day trips from Palm Springs!
Mount San Jacinto State Park – Palm Springs
Note that the aerial tramway cars to Mt San Jacinto State Park are wheelchair accessible so people with limited mobility can also visit the park via the tramway.
Drive to Mt San Jacinto State Park
If you prefer to skip the tramway experience and drive from Palm Springs to Mt San Jacinto State Park you can take Hwy CA-111 North to I-10 West to Hwy 243 South to the park.
Seems like it would take around an hour with normal traffic. Google maps seems to have some difficulty with providing driving instructions from Palm Springs. I received the error message: Sorry, we could not calculate directions from “Palm Springs, CA” to “Mount San Jacinto State Park, 25905 California 243, Idyllwild, CA 92549“. Well at least Google said sorry.
Excellent view of Palm Springs from the aerial tramway to Mt San Jacinto
Tramway to Mt San Jacinto
The drive from downtown Palm Springs to the tramway parking lot was only around 15 minutes. Note that there is a $5 fee for parking in the Aerial Tramway parking lot (residents of Coachella Valley receive free parking – must show photo ID with resident address).
Scroll down to the bottom of this post for all the ticket prices, special rates, and hours of operation for the tram ride and more info about visiting Mount San Jacinto State Park. You do need to purchase tickets onsite
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway with rotating floor – one of only 3 in the world
One thing about the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway that takes a little getting used to is the rotating floor of the tramcar. Evidently this is the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world.
According to a CNN article there are only three rotating aerial tramways in the world – the other two are located in South Africa and Switzerland.
At the station I noticed the cars of the Palm Springs Aerial Tram are from Switzerland.
When I chose Palm Springs as my nomad home for December I didn’t think I would get even the tiniest glimpse of snow.
On the tramway ride up the mountain I spotted a bit of snow here and there. A week later there was a decent snowfall in the mountains so you could actually go from shorts to snowshoes in Palm Springs!
Small patches of snow on the mountain – Palm Springs Aerial Tramway ride
I took in the panoramic views at Mt San Jacinto before sitting down to lunch at the Peaks Restaurant. The grilled salmon with salad and white beans was a tasty meal before heading out to the scenic hiking trail.
Signage for hiking trails at Mt San Jacinto State Park
Desert View Trail
1.5 mile (2 km) loop
I loved the Desert View Trail with 5 scenic view points marked along the trail.
View of Indian Canyons from Mt San Jacinto State Park
Jeffrey Pines are grand coniferous evergreen trees with a wrapping of thick bark giving the trees a striking texture. A sign along the trail invites visitors to get up close to sniff the scent of the Jeffrey Pine. Try it yourself and see if you smell butterscotch. This scent comes from the resin in the trees.
Jeffrey Pines along the trail at Mt San Jacinto State Park
Jeffrey Pine trees are common at Mt San Jacinto State Park
Stopping to take in the views at Mt San Jacinto State Park
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Fares & Passes
All prices as of June, 2022.
Purchase tickets at the tramway or purchase tickets online
- Adults $28.95
- Children $16.95 ages 3 – 10
- Seniors $26.95 (age 65+)
- Summer Pass $85 Adults and Seniors (age 65+)
- Summer Pass $45 Children ages 3 – 10
- Annual Pass $165 Adults and Seniors (age 65+)
- Annual Pass $95 Children ages 3 – 10
Ride ‘n’ Dine Pricing
The Ride and dine pricing includes round-trip tram + dining at Pines Cafe (after 4 pm)
- Adults $36
- Children $23.50
- Seniors $36
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Info & Hours
Address
1 Tram Way Road, Palm Springs, California 92262
Phone
(888) 515-TRAM (8726)
Monday to Friday first and last tram
- First tram up at 10:00 AM
- Last tram up at 8:00 PM
- Last tram down at 9:45 PM
Saturday/Sunday/Holidays first and last tram
- First tram up at 8:00 AM
- Last Tram up at 8:00 PM
- Last Tram down at 9:45 PM
Mount San Jacinto State Park Info
Address
25905 Highway 243, Idyllwild, CA 92549
Hours
8 am to 4 pm
Phone
Idyllwild State Park (951) 659-2607
Maximum trailer length
24 ft
Hike-in Camping
$5 per person up to 14 day stay
Check the official California State Parks page for more info on camping, as well as the Mt San Jacinto State Park Facebook page.
View while riding the aerial tramway to Mt San Jacinto State Park
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noel
Tuesday 1st of March 2016
It looks surprisingly cold up in those mountains, I would love to hike around that area and scout out some magnificent views. Thanks for the tour.
Susan Moore
Thursday 3rd of March 2016
Noel it's beautiful atop Mt San Jacinto - you would enjoy photographing the area - gorgeous panoramic views and great hiking among the Jeffrey trees - check it out sometime!
Betsy Wuebker
Monday 29th of February 2016
Many don't realize that there is so much eco-diversity in the area of Palm Springs. Mt. San Jacinto is stunningly rugged and a great way to cool off a bit from the higher temps in the valley below. I love Palm Springs and enjoy making use of our timeshare there when we can.
Susan Moore
Monday 29th of February 2016
I sure wasn't aware of the eco-diversity in Palm Springs Betsy! Palm Springs was such an enjoyable location for my nomad home in December. I didn't want to leave after my 4 weeks was up and I look forward to returning. I want to do more hiking at Mt San Jacinto and around Palm Springs, the Indian Canyons has incredible hiking too! Such a great location ~ I love Palm Springs :)
Carole Terwilliger Meyers
Monday 29th of February 2016
I do like Palm Springs and will be returning in April. Your post was timely for me!
Susan Moore
Monday 29th of February 2016
Wonderful Carole! I hope you enjoy your trip to Palm Springs!
Anita
Monday 29th of February 2016
It's been years since I lived in California and visited the Palm Springs area but I remember trips to both Mt San Jacinto State Park and the Joshua Tree National Park and how unique each park was. I love your photos of the Jeffrey Pines especially the one looking up to its crown - it's easy to see the rough texture of its bark.
Susan Moore
Monday 29th of February 2016
Thanks for your comment Anita. I loved the Jeffrey Pines and this is the first time I saw them, and sniffed their bark :-)
Donna Janke
Sunday 28th of February 2016
This is not what most of us associate with Palm Springs, but it is impressive. I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable on the tramway (the rotating floor would unnverve me), but Mt San Jacinto State Park certainly looks worth getting to.
Susan Moore
Sunday 28th of February 2016
Donna, the rotating floor was a bit strange on the way up the tramway but on the trip back down since I knew what to expect it seemed normal already. If you're adventurous you could hike all the way from Palm Springs up to Mt San Jacinto Peak - the Cactus to the Clouds trail :)