Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Mountain Station

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Mountain Station is a three-story building sitting atop Mount San Jacinto, with wooden and glass construction on the upper level and reinforced concrete forming the lower structure. The station features a concrete viewing deck and serves as a gateway to more than 50 miles of surrounding trails.

Architect E. Stewart Williams designed the station in 1963 as part of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, drawing inspiration from Swiss chalets. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2016 for its architectural significance and role in regional transportation history.

The station serves as a gathering place where visitors rest and take in views before heading into the mountains. It bridges the flat desert world below with the alpine terrain above, creating a unique point where two very different landscapes meet.

The station has dining options and cafes where visitors can rest and eat before or after hiking. Temperatures here are significantly cooler than down in the desert, so bring layers and appropriate clothing for outdoor activities.

The tramway system was once one of the longest aerial tramway systems in North America, allowing visitors to travel from hot desert floor directly to cool mountain terrain in just a few minutes. This engineering achievement made the station a popular destination for people seeking rapid climate change.

Location: Riverside County

Inception: 1963

Architects: Emerson Stewart Williams

GPS coordinates: 33.81303,-116.63903

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:06