The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway in Palm Springs, California, is the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world. It was opened in September 1963 as a way of getting from the floor of the Coachella Valley to near the top of San Jacinto Peak and was constructed in rugged Chino Canyon.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway—the world’s largest rotating tram car—travels over two-and-one-half miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon, transporting riders to the pristine wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. During your approximately ten-minute journey, tram cars rotate slowly, offering picturesque and spectacular vistas of the valley floor below. Once you reach the Mountain Station—elevation 8,516 feet—enjoy two restaurants, observation decks, natural history museum, two documentary theaters, gift shop and over 50 miles of hiking trails.
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday
First Tram up 10:00 am
Last Tram up 8:00 pm
Last Tram down 9:30 pm
Saturday, Sunday and Holidays
First Tram up 8:00 am
Last Tram up 8:00 pm
Last Tram down 9:30 pm
Disabled Parking
Parking for guests with disabilities is available and designated. A valid disability parking permit is required. Guests will be directed by the guard at the security gate to the correct lot. Standard parking rates apply.
Handicap Accessible
The Valley Station, Mountain Station and Tram Cars are handicap accessible.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is a must-do on any Coachella Valley visit as it offers breathtaking views of Chino Canyon as it climbs from the valley station some 6,000 feet up to the mountain station. It’s a quick 10-minute ride and since the floor of the circular tram car rotates, there’s not a bad seat in the house.
Access at the tramway is excellent too, starting in the parking lot. Although the main parking lot is quite steep, there’s a dedicated accessible parking area just to the left of the valley station. From there it’s a short level walk to the building; however if you don’t have a placard and can’t do distances, there’s also a drop-off area in front. There are three flights of stairs up to the ticket and boarding areas, but there’s also an elevator to the right of the stairs.
Up on top there’s good pathway access in the boarding area, and accessible family restrooms nearby. And boarding the tram is a breeze, as you can just roll on through the wide doorways on both sides of the cars. The mountain station is equally accessible with roll-off access, and accessible restrooms around the corner.
The tram arrives on the second level of the mountain station, with elevator access to the other two levels. There’s good pathway access to the third floor restaurants and lounges, and barrier-free access on the first floor patio, where you can get a nice view of Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Take some time to enjoy the view, and have a bite to eat before you make the return trip to the valley station. And don’t forget to take a coat, as temperatures can be 30 to 40 degrees cooler at the 8,516 foot high mountain station.
