About this campground
Tramway to San Jacinto Peak – 6 miles, elevation change of 2318 feet, strenuous. The easiest and most popular hike to the peak begins at the Mountain Station of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Leaving the Tram, descend into Long Valley and self-register for a Wilderness permit at the Mount San Jacinto State Park ranger station. Past the ranger station the trail traverses the tree-covered flanks of Long Valley Creek until reaching the broad grassy meadow of Round Valley. Deer are plentiful and relatively tame if you keep your distance. Round Valley has numerous campsites for overnight hikers. Be sure to obtain a permit for camping before leaving the ranger station (reservations are recommended for spring and summer). You’ll quickly discover that the trail from Round Valley to Wellman Divide is the steepest part of the hike, but this section is only one mile long. From here follow the clearly signed trail to the peak. This approach is easier than the hike from Idyllwild, but is still strenuous with an 12 mile roundtrip and elevation gain of about 2,300 feet.
Activities
- HIKING
Nearby federal campgrounds
- Palm Springs Aerial TramwaySan Bernardino National Forest2 mi
- Humber Park Trailhead ParkingSan Bernardino National Forest4 mi
- Tahquitz Peak Fire LookoutSan Bernardino National Forest5 mi
- BLACK MOUNTAIN (SAN BERNARDINO)San Bernardino National Forest6 mi
- FERN BASINSan Bernardino National Forest6 mi
- Fuller Mill Creek - National Wild & Scenic RiverSan Bernardino National Forest6 mi
Explore more California camping
Tramway to San Jacinto Peak doesn't take campsite reservations — but plenty of nearby California campgrounds do, and we'll alert you the moment a sold-out site opens up.
Browse California camping →Details from Recreation.gov's official RIDB catalog. Conditions change — confirm with the managing office before you go. Not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.