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Round Valley (Mt San Jacinto via Tram)

Riverside · Managed by Mount San Jacinto State Park (California State Parks) · Region: San Jacinto Mountains
Difficulty 14/100 · Easyout and back#tram-access#alpine-meadows#high-country#beginner-friendly
Distance
4.2 mi
Total gain
700 ft
Net gain
700 ft
Net loss
700 ft
Days
1–2
Permit
Required
Campfires
Campfires prohibited

Overview

Round Valley Meadow is Southern California's easiest alpine camp: ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to 8,400 feet, then walk 2.1 gentle miles to a meadow campground beneath San Jacinto Peak's 10,834-foot wall. An extraordinary escape from the desert floor below.

Highlights

  • The tram ride — 6,000 vertical feet in ten minutes
  • A forested meadow camp at 8,900 feet with the peak overhead
  • San Jacinto's summit a manageable 11.6-mile round trip from Long Valley
  • Cool pines while Palm Springs simmers below

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Long Valley Ranger Station (Palm Springs Aerial Tramway) · parking: Tramway parking lot at 1 Tramway Road, Palm Springs; ride the tram to 8,400 ft
  • Water: Seasonal spring near Round Valley; treat all water. Carry water from Long Valley.
  • Resupply: None; the tram's mountain station has a small cafe and water.
  • Shuttle: The aerial tram does the climbing for you — ride from Palm Springs to 8,400 ft.
  • Stove required: yes — no fires possible on this route

Permits

  • Agency: Mount San Jacinto State Park (California State Parks)
  • Reserve or apply on parks.ca.gov
  • Quota: Primitive wilderness campgrounds — camping permit $5 per person, check in at the ranger station.
  • Reservation window: Permits issued at Long Valley Ranger Station; no advance reservation system for wilderness sites.

Campfires & stove regulations

Campfires prohibited. Campfires and barbeques are prohibited in the state wilderness. Only portable camp stoves with an on/off switch are permitted for cooking. Current fire restrictions. Rules change with conditions — always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.

Best time to go

Best months: June, July, August, September, October.

Snow: Snow lingers into June in wet years; traction devices recommended in winter and spring.

Heat: The high country stays cool even when Palm Springs bakes.

Bugs: Minimal.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • Wilderness camping permits ($5/person) are issued at Long Valley Ranger Station
  • Campfires are prohibited; only stoves with an on/off switch are allowed
  • Water is seasonal — carry from Long Valley
  • Dogs are prohibited in the wilderness

Sources & citations

Data compiled 2026 from public agency and reference sources. All descriptive text on this page is original; verify current conditions with the managing agency before your trip.

  1. Hiking Trails — Mount San Jacinto State Park. California State Parks. https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30375. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Round Valley Meadow route (4.2 mi round trip, 700 ft elevation gain) from Long Valley at 8,400 ft, and wilderness permit requirements.
  2. Mount San Jacinto State Park. California State Parks. https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=636. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Wilderness camping permit ($5/person), campfire prohibition and stove rule in the wilderness, tram access, and Long Valley ranger station check-in.
  3. San Jacinto Peak. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Jacinto_Peak. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Summit elevation (10,834 ft) and context as the highest point in the California State Park system.