While Palm Springs may be synonymous with sunny desert landscapes and mid-century architecture, one of its most dramatic experiences is actually at the top of a mountain. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which is the world’s largest rotating tramcar, whisks visitors up to the San Jacinto Mountains, climbing more than 5,800 feet in 10 minutes.
However, as of September 8th, that wild vertical escape is temporarily off the table. The Tramway has officially closed for annual “preventative maintenance” and will remain so until its tentative reopening date on Monday, October 5 at 10am.
While fall travelers will not have access to the tramway this month, the October reopening hails the beginning of the Tramway’s winter operating season, putting visitors with easy reach of scenic winter hikes with snowfall generally expected from November through April.
During the shutdown, maintenance crews will repaint the interiors of tramcar cabins and rebuild the carriage on one of them. The tramway will also complete required annual state-permit testing.
The attraction has been running since 1963, with 80-passenger cars slowly rotating during the ride to give every rider changing views over Chino Canyon and Coachella Valley. The route begins at the Valley Station in Palm Springs, elevation 2,643 feet, and arrives at the Mountain Station, elevation 8,516 feet.
Once service resumes in October, visitors can once again explore the Mountain Station’s overlooks, dining options, and Long Valley trail network.
In fact, Palm Springs makes for one of California’s best winter destinations. With 350 days of sunshine a year and temperatures in the 70s, the desert floor stays nice and balmy, while the Aerial Tramway offers a convenient way to experience local snowfall at Mount San Jacinto State Park.
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway reopening at a glance
📍 Location: Valley Station, 1 Tram Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262.
📅 Closure dates: Tuesday, September 8 through Sunday, October 4, 2026. Tentative reopening on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 10 a.m.
⏰ Winter hours: From October 5, 2026 through May 27, 2027, the first tram departs at 10 a.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. The final tram up is at 8 p.m. daily, and the final tram down is at 9:30 p.m.
🎟️ Tickets: Adult tickets are listed at $36.95, children ages 3-10 are $20.95, and senior tickets are $33.95. Children under 2 ride free but need a same-day boarding pass from the ticket booth.
🌐 Website: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
