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Hop aboard the largest rotating tram car in the world in Palm Springs, California, to explore a national park site perched above the Coachella Valley. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: World’s Largest Rotating Tram Cars

//  by Catherine Parker//  3 Comments

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Disclosure: All or part of this trip was provided free or at a reduced cost for review purposes, but the opinions are solely that of the writer. A TravelingMom cannot be bought.

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Perched high above the Coachella Valley, minutes from Palm Springs, California, I discovered an alpine forest with towering trees and summer temperatures rarely reaching 80F. As the seasons change, the treed oasis transforms into a winter wonderland perfect for a day of sledding or snow-shoed exploring. Climb aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for a breathtaking ride in the world’s largest rotating tram cars.

Hop aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the largest rotating tram car in the world in Palm Springs, California, to explore a national park site perched above the Coachella Valley.
Hop aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the largest rotating tram car in the world in Palm Springs, California, to explore a national park site perched above the Coachella Valley. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom

My kids love different. So when I told them I wanted to ride a rotating cable car up the side of a mountain to visit our next national park site, they were all in. On the southerly side of the Coachella Valley in southern California discover the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. This tram ascends 2.5 miles to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, an alpine oasis perched high above the Palm Springs desert.

History of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

The idea of a tram began in 1935 yet took close to 30 years to fund and build this marvel. After years of road blocks and halts for major wars, construction began in 1961.

Only the first of the tram’s five towers can be reached by road and the remaining towers along with the Mountain Station (the terminal building for the tram) utilized helicopters to complete the construction. In all, over 23,000 helicopter missions flew the necessary workers and materials for the 26-month long construction period. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway opened to passengers in 1963.

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The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway’s rotating cars move over five towers on its way to the Mountain Station. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom

The Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument was created in 2000 to protect the pristine alpine wilderness. The majority of the Mount San Jacinto State Park is within the monument’s boundaries.

Family Fun at Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument

The Mount San Jacinto State Park offers 54 miles of trails. During our visit, we hiked from the Mountain Station to the Ranger Station and then to Grubb’s View. My three kids, 8, 12 and 13 enjoyed the hike along wide paths in the dappled shade with summer temperatures not reaching 80F.

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During our visit at Mount San Jacinto State Park, we hiked to the valley overlook at Grubb’s View. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom

Kids can complete a Mount San Jacinto State Park Junior Ranger Nature Guide. Available at the Mountain Station, kids explore the wilderness while looking for plants and animals. Find four and kids get a signed certificate.

The Mount San Jacinto State Park offers guided walks during the summer season from Memorial Day to Labor Day, every weekend. Volunteers guide hikers along a 40-minute walk and point out various plants and animals. Free.

Winter Fun in Palm Springs California

Looking for a snow play area in the middle of a desert? Take a ride on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to a winter wonderland. The flurries start to fall around Thanksgiving and the snow lingers through the winter. This is the only area near Palm Springs with a snow play area for sledding, snow shoeing, or cross-country skiing.

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Looking for a snow play day in Palm Springs, California? Ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for a day of sledding or cross-country skiing. Photo Credit: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

The Adventure Center located near the Mountain Station offers snowshoe rentals and cross-country ski equipment. Sleds can be purchased along with winter-related items.

Scared of Heights?

If kids hate heights, the tram ride to the top might be a problem. My kids loved it though the tram car sways over each of the five towers. I found the ride to be gentle and quiet; it takes about 10 minutes to climb 6,000 feet.

During our ride, the kids in our tram were great. A few of the older adults experienced slight vertigo issues with the tram car’s rotation. I suggest riding in the center of the tram and giving kids gum to chew to help with their popping ears.

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My kids look through the telescopes to see the tram towers near the Valley Station. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom

Lodging at Santa Rosa San Jacinto Mountains National Monument

During my visit to Palm Springs, I stayed in the Walt Disney Technicolor Dream House, Walt Disney’s former home in the Indian Springs golf community. The ideal base for exploring Palm Springs or nearby Joshua Tree National Park.

Looking for a rustic way to connect with nature? Mount San Jacinto State Park offers primitive camping in six different campgrounds. Ranging from a 2 to 6-mile hike from the Mountain Station, campgrounds offer vault toilets (not flushing). Water is not available. The camping fee is $5 per person and campers will have to fill out a free wilderness permit.

Looking to escape the heat or play in the snow minutes from downtown Palm Springs, California? Hop aboard the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway for both.
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is a gateway to the Mount San Jacinto State Park along with the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom

Dining at the Mountain Station

During our visit, we spent several hours hiking so the kids needed a break and a snack to keep them happy. The Mountain Station offers a couple of dining options.

The Peaks Restaurant offers fine contemporary California cuisine with a view of the Coachella Valley. The Pines Café is a casual cafeteria offering kid-friendly options like pizza and sandwiches. The Lookout Lounge provides the ideal spot to enjoy a cocktail while watching the sunset.

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We take a minute to enjoy the waterfall next to the Valley Station before heading up to the Mountain Station of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom

Getting to Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument

The most family-friendly route to the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument is the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. It thrilled my kids and made for a memorable day.

My kids loved the rotating tram car ride to the top as our Swiss-made car that made two complete rotations. The Palm Springs Aerial Tram traverses 2.5 miles and gains 6,000 feet of elevation as it moves over five towers with a little sway.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway located at 1 Tramway, off Highway 111 with easy access from Interstate 10. Located six miles from downtown Palm Springs, it’s open seven-day-a week.

For national park enthusiasts, Joshua Tree National Park is 40 miles away. Mojave National Preserve is 115 miles north.

Getting Around Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument

Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument is open 365-days a year as is the Mount San Jacinto State Park.

They are free to enter though the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway requires a ticket for all passengers. Adult tickets are $25.95 and kids 3 to 12 are $16.96, with kids under 3 riding for free. Parking is $5 per vehicle.

Tips from a Traveling Mom:

  • The Mount San Jacinto State Park offers a 30-degree differential from the valley below.
  • Use the restrooms in the tram buildings for flushing toilets.
  • Take it easy at higher elevations, especially with younger kids and older adults.
  • Pack some snacks and water bottles.
  • Wear hiking shoes if you plan to explore the hiking trails.
  • Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is closed for annual maintenance in September and during inclement weather.

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3 Comments on “Palm Springs Aerial Tramway: World’s Largest Rotating Tram Cars”

  1. Pingback: 8 Things to Do in Palm Springs with Kids of All Ages