Sight guide · Palm Springs · United States
Visiting Mount San Jacinto State Park
The tramway's Mountain Station opens onto a wilderness of granite, Jeffrey pines and meadows.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Binksternet, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Mount San Jacinto State Park is a nature spot in San Jacinto Mountains, Palm Springs. Allow 2 hours to a full day; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Nature
- Area
- San Jacinto Mountains
- Time needed
- 2 hours to a full day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- nature, active, outdoors and views
- Best months
- February–March and November
Plan a trip to Palm Springs
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
About Mount San Jacinto State Park
The tramway's Mountain Station opens onto a wilderness of granite, Jeffrey pines and meadows. The short Desert View Trail loop gives viewpoints over the valley, and fit hikers can continue about 18 km round trip to the 3,302-metre summit of San Jacinto Peak, the second-highest in Southern California.
Tip: Pick up the free wilderness permit at the ranger station below the Mountain Station before any hike beyond the short loops, and start the summit trail early.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 2 hours to a full day.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: San Jacinto Mountains.
Best time to visit Mount San Jacinto State Park
Mount San Jacinto State Park is outdoors, so weather matters most. The driest, most comfortable months are:
- November: 25°C (77°F) highs, about 1 rainy days, busy crowds.
- February: 23°C (73°F) highs, about 4 rainy days, very busy crowds.
- March: 27°C (81°F) highs, about 2 rainy days, very busy crowds.
For the view at golden hour: in mid-November the sun sets at about 16:44 local time (calculated for Palm Springs).
When to visit Palm Springs has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Palm Springs itinerary visits Mount San Jacinto State Park on day 1, together with Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, Mid-century modern homes drive and Palm Canyon Drive and VillageFest.
- No. 3 of the 16 sights in our Palm Springs things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in outdoors in Palm Springs.
If you like Mount San Jacinto State Park
- Palm Springs Aerial Tramway — Chino Canyon, Half a day
- Indian Canyons — Agua Caliente Reservation, 2–4 hours
- Tahquitz Canyon — South of downtown, 2 hours
- Living Desert Zoo and Gardens — Palm Desert, 3–4 hours
Staying near Mount San Jacinto State Park
Where to stay in Palm Springs compares every area by price and who it suits.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Mount San Jacinto State Park?
Plan 2 hours to a full day.
+Is Mount San Jacinto State Park free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit Mount San Jacinto State Park?
February–March and November for the most comfortable weather. Pick up the free wilderness permit at the ranger station below the Mountain Station before any hike beyond the short loops, and start the summit trail early.
+Do I need to book Mount San Jacinto State Park in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.