Tramway Rd/Indian Canyons-Palm Springs Road

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Palm Springs, CA, US

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We Ride 4

Nonprofit addressing child obesity and healthy lifestyles by getting more kids riding bikes

58 km

937 m

This unique route through Palm Springs features the steep Aerial Tramway Road offering intense climbs and sweeping desert views. Indian Canyons adds a peaceful, scenic ride through palm oases and striking red rock landscapes.

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Prior to constructing this route, my only experience riding in Palm Springs left me less than impressed thinking riding in this town featured busy roads with inconsistent bike lanes and obnoxious drivers that would run over a cyclist rather than yielding to one. It took me seven years to come back here. And even at that, I ended up in this town by accident only stopping here randomly as a stopover on our way to what promises to be amazing riding (and wine tasting) in Paso Robles. After doing much research on some of the best features of the town, this route was constructed. After riding it, I was glad to have given this town a second chance. This route features a steep (I mean butt kicking steep!) climb up the Aerial Tramway road. Then back down through town to the South into the Indian Canyons Tribal lands for a ride into history and the world's largest California Fan Palm Oasis. And to top it all off, there were no inconsiderate drivers anywhere on the route.

We started this ride from the historic Alcazar Hotel [https://alcazarpalmsprings.com/](http://alcazarpalmsprings.com/). We found the hotel on one of the dicount hotel apps and it turned out to be quite the hidden gem (See below).

The route starts out heading West on a palm tree lined street with an immediate stunning view of the @photo[San Jacinto Mountains](17073976). For the first three miles, the route works its way through the backstreet neighborhood known as Little Tuscany with its constant views of the mountains and the lush landscaping that decorates the beautiful homes along the way.

At approximately mile 2.7, the route pops you out onto @point[N Palm Canyon Dr](d,17429.1) briefly for a few hundred feet before taking a @point[left at the traffic light that puts you onto Tramway Rd.](d,4705.9). This is where the fun begins(Depending on your definition of fun). From here, the climbing begins. You will stay on this road for 3.9 miles and 1,900 ft of elevation gain. RWGPS says the average grade for this section is 8.3%. But this section is not for the feint of heart. There are several extended sections of 11-13% with several sections in the 14% range. There is no relief (i.e. No downhill recovery sections). It just keeps climbing. The good news is, several hundred feet after turning onto the road there is a bike/walking path that follows the road on the left side as you are going up. There is no shoulder on the road (albeit not much traffic either) but if you want to stay separated from the cars, this path is nice and wide and a good shelter from passing vehicles. Along the way, you will catch glimpses of the peak of Mt. San Jacinto (10,834' and the 2nd tallest peak in Southern CA). If you make it to the top, you will be rewarded with amazing views of the Palm Springs valley and the @photo[wind farm](17074088) just to the North of the road. You'll know you have reached the top when you see @photo[the old tram cabin](17073887) just as you approach the parking area. If needed there are restrooms and water at the @poi[tram building](149676088) after you go through the parking area.

Enjoy the nice long, and well deserved, descent back down the Tramway Rd. You will follow the same route back into town that you took on the way out.

Once you get back downtown, follow the route South. At approximately mile 14 you will pass the @point[Palm Springs Art Museum complex](d,47158.61). There are several things worth noting when you get there. @photo["The Only Other Thing Is Nothing"](17073846) Sculpture. The @photo[Forever Marilyn Sculpture](17074203). @photo[The Aluminaire House](17074213).

After the museum complex, continue on the route which continues South following the profile of the San Jacinto Mountains. At approximately @point[18.5](d,29776.09) miles you will come to the @photo[toll booth at Indian Canyons](17073847). Everyone, including bikes must stop and pay the entry fee. Once past the toll booth, take the first right to start the gentle climb up to the @point[Andreas Canyon Parking area](d,31221.9). Follow the same road back down, making a right again when you get back to the main road to start the gentle 2 mile climb up to the @poi[Trading Post](149676087) and the Palm Canyon parking area. If needed you will find food, water and restrooms at the @poi[Trading Post](149676087) at Palm Canyon. Right before you make the final steep but short switchbacks to the parking area, you will pass through a @photo[unique narrow gap](17073848) between the rocks. Follow the route back to the toll booth and then back into downtown and the Alcazar Motel.

Note: If you want to add a little extra mileage instead of going straight back to downtown after the canyons, make the right hand turn on to Bogert and do the lollipop up and around Bogert Trailhead then the loop through the Canyons golf course. Both are shown on the map.

**The Alcazar Hotel, Palm Springs:** The Alcazar Hotel in Palm Springs boasts a rich history that mirrors the evolution of the city itself. Originally constructed in 1929 as a private residence, the property transitioned into a hotel during the 1950s. It was known as the Pepper Tree Inn for several decades. n 2011, the hotel underwent a significant transformation under the ownership of Tara Lazar and Marco Rossetti, the creative minds behind popular local eateries like Cheeky’s and Birba. They reimagined the space as the Alcazar Palm Springs, a 34-room boutique hotel that blends modern design with its Spanish colonial roots. oday, the Alcazar is celebrated for its serene ambiance, featuring minimalist whitewashed architecture, a saltwater pool, and lush courtyards. Its prime location in the Uptown Design District places guests within walking distance of some of Palm Springs’ best dining and shopping experiences.

**Palm Springs Aerial Tram:** The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, opened in 1963, is an iconic engineering marvel that transports passengers from the desert floor of Chino Canyon to the alpine wilderness of Mount San Jacinto State Park. Conceived in the 1930s by electrical engineer Francis Crocker, the tramway was built using helicopters to install towers in rugged terrain—a groundbreaking feat at the time. The ride covers a 2.5-mile journey and ascends over 8,500 feet, with rotating tram cars offering panoramic views of the Coachella Valley. Today, it's a popular gateway to hiking, snowplay, and cool mountain air, drawing visitors year-round. There is also a restaurant at the top featuring fine dining experiences for a romantic evening experience as well as lunch and snacks during the day. Click here for more information about the Tramway and its schedule. [https://pstramway.com/](http://pstramway.com/)

@photo[**The Only Other Thing is Nothing Sculpture:**](17073846) “The Only Other Thing Is Nothing” is a large-scale sculptural text installation by contemporary artist MIDABI (Michael Daniel Birnberg), known for his philosophical and minimalist public art. Crafted from two 10-by-20-foot steel plates, the piece weighs approximately 8,500 pounds and features the titular phrase in bold typography. The sculpture debuted at the 2019 Bombay Beach Biennale on the shores of California’s Salton Sea, where it appeared to hover above the water, reflecting the region’s stark beauty and environmental decay. It later traveled to Union Square Park in New York City in 2021–2022 as part of the NYC Parks Art in the Parks program, and was exhibited at Burning Man in 2022 and 2023. In 2023, it was installed near the Palm Springs Art Museum in Downtown Park, where it remains a prominent public artwork.

@photo[**Forever Marilyn Statue:**](17074203) "Forever Marilyn" is a 26-foot-tall statue of Marilyn Monroe by artist Seward Johnson, capturing her iconic pose from the 1955 film The Seven Year Itch, where a gust of wind lifts her white dress as she stands over a subway grate. Constructed in 2011 from painted stainless steel and aluminum, the sculpture weighs approximately 34,000 pounds. The statue has traveled extensively, first displayed in Chicago (2011–2012), then in Palm Springs (2012–2014), followed by exhibitions in New Jersey, Australia, and Connecticut. It returned to Palm Springs in 2021, installed near the Palm Springs Art Museum. Its placement sparked controversy, with critics arguing that the statue's positioning allowed for inappropriate viewing angles and obstructed views of the museum. In response to public outcry and legal challenges, city officials decided in 2024 to relocate the statue within Downtown Park to address these concerns. Despite the debates, "Forever Marilyn" remains a significant tourist attraction, symbolizing Palm Springs' connection to Hollywood history and its commitment to public art.

@photo[**The Aluminaire House:**](17074213) The Aluminaire House is a groundbreaking 1931 all-metal prototype home designed by A. Lawrence Kocher and Albert Frey, showcasing early modernist architecture and prefabrication. Originally built in New York in just ten days, it later became part of MoMA’s 1932 International Style exhibition. After decades of relocation and preservation, it was reconstructed outside the Palm Springs Art Museum—honoring Frey’s deep ties to the city—and opened to the public in 2024 as a symbol of innovative, efficient design.

**Indian Canyons:** Indian Canyons in Palm Springs is a stunning natural preserve located on the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians’ tribal land, offering some of the most scenic and culturally significant hiking areas in the region. Comprising Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon, and Murray Canyon, the area features lush palm oases, rugged desert trails, and seasonal streams—all set against the backdrop of dramatic rock formations. It's not only a haven for outdoor enthusiasts but also a place to explore the deep history and traditions of the Cahuilla people, with ancient rock art, historic trails, and native plant life still thriving in the canyons today.

Tramway Rd/Indian Canyons-Palm Springs Road

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