Hiker at Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Tramarama!

Ride Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to Access Amazing Hiking

Why do hikers, boulderers, and outdoor enthusiasts love the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway? Because it quickly elevates them to the best terrain for alpine adventure! Get to the good stuff fast, with the world’s largest rotating tram swiftly whisking you to 8,516 feet and a wilderness world away in Mount San Jacinto State Park. At the top, have your pick of over 50 miles of trails, with plenty of boulders too. Summer temperatures are typically 30 degrees cooler than the desert floor, making for ideal hiking conditions.

Get Your Aerial Tramway Tickets!

Board the tram at the Valley Station (elevation 2,643 feet) and marvel at the dramatic Chino Canyon scenery en route to the heart of Mount San Jacinto State Park. It takes about 10 minutes, passing through five climate zones, and featuring stellar views of Palm Springs and beyond.

At the top, have your pick of over 50 miles of trails for all skill levels. Goodbye palm trees, hello soaring Jeffrey pines!

The Desert Valley Trail is a short 1.5-mile loop, but it packs in an incredible five viewpoints! If peak-bagging is more your form, head for San Jacinto Peak, the second highest point in Southern California. Colossal vistas stretch from the Salton Sea to Mt. San Gorgonio.

There’s hike-in camping here, too! Round Valley campground is just a 2-mile hike away, with 22 glorious camp sites waiting in a lush meadow.

But it’s not all roughing it! Fine dining is to be found here, too. You can literally whisk that special someone away with the Palm Springs Ariel Tramway. Enjoy fine dining at Peaks Restaurant, delicious drinks at the aptly named Lookout Lounge, and casual food at the Pines Café.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

    View
  2. Sponsored

    Mini Guide to Reno Tahoe’s Lodging and Dining

    So, you’re going to Reno Tahoe for some time in nature, and some time in nurture? Excellent choice. The fun and wonder of Reno Tahoe is the easy part.

    View
  3. Hidden Long Ridge

    After heavy rains, the rolling headwaters of Peters Creek in Long Ridge Open Space Preserve pulsate along the forest floor via a series of small waterfalls that cut grooves in sandstone boulders. See it on a 4.5-mile loop hike starting from the Grizzly Flat parking lot.

    View
  4. Hike Artdoors

    Add a little color to your new year. This 3-mile loop through the Montalvo Arts Center mixes the beauty of the natural world with local artists’ creations.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

    View
  2. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

    View
  3. People gathered around a tree at an LA Park as part of the Tree Tour led by Stephanie Carrie

    LA's Tree Tour

    Los Angeles is famous for its iconic palm trees but did you know that LA is home to one of the most diverse urban forests in the world? With over 1,000 different tree species lining its streets, LA offers a unique urban canopy waiting to be explored. One of the best ways to discover it is by joining a Tree Tour

    View
  4. White Tank Campground for Stargazing

    Heaven for star buffs: the best campground in Joshua Tree National Park for night-sky viewing, in a place named an International Dark Sky Park, with a full-on observatory just minutes away! White Tank Campground is at 3,800 feet in the eastern part of the park.

    View