Palm Springs International Airport (PSP/KPSP) is a small airport east of Palm Springs city itsself. It is located roughly on one fourth of the way from Los Angeles to Phoenix right in between Californian mountains. This allows some beautiful background shots at PSP.

The airport was opened in 1939 as US Army Air Corps airfield but quickly served for civil passenger flights as well. Nowadays it offers services flown by the regular US carriers (American, Southwest, United, etc) to other cities within and outside the US plus handles some general aviation and military traffic from time to time. Today the area is a common destination for North American tourists (Canadians or northern US states) during the winter and spring fleeing from the cold winter back home.

Written by Tim-Patrick Müller, Jason Whitebird and Olivier Boyer. Last Update: March 2025. – Spot 4 added

Rating
Movements
Airline Variety
Photo Locations
Weather
Airport Information
Runways
13R/31L	3048m / 10000ft
13L/31R	1509m / 4952ft
Terminals
T1	There is one terminal facility handling all ops.
Spotting Information
Ladder	A ladder or at least small step is needed at both spots. However, keep the step away from the fence as long as possible and only move it up to the fence (and climb it) once an aircraft moves past you to avoid attention.
Car/Public Transport	A car is definitely needed to get around PSP and offers some worthy shadow as well.
Drinks/Food	Close to the two mentioned spots you will find a mall and some restaurants.
Hotels	There is no real spotter hotel around PSP as to our knowledge.
Season	Summer is hot, hazy and the light is not nice. We recommend to visit PSP from October to March somewhen. The most/best movements are from Mid March until the first weekend of May. By that time all the snowbirds will have be home.
Security	Spotting is tolerated at PSP in general, but keep a low profile like all over the US. Especially as you are standing right by the fence here most of the times! Always keep your ID with you, be prepared to be checked: stay polite, respectfully explain our hobby and be compliant!
Runway Usage
General Info	During our visit, 31 direction seemed to be the direction of favour with 31L/13R being used by all bigger passenger and military movements.

	Spot #1 – Mall Parking – 31L/R Arrivals
WHERE	This spot is basically just along the western front of the parking lot of the shopping mall southeast of the airport. Simply park in the front row, if possible, and just get our to shoot a picture.
WHAT	Nice views onto 31L and 31R arrivals.
TIME	Sunrise till early noon.
MISC.	Nothing needed, anything you may need can be bought in the mall nearby.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-250mm

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	Spot #2 – Crash gate – 31L Line-Ups + 31L Arrivals
WHERE	Park your car nearby in a parking lot and walk back to the marked spot here at the crash gate. Then position yourself next to it (right or left side) along the fence somewhere, ideally a bit hidden by bushes that passing cars do not see you directly and call police immediately.
WHAT	From here you can nicely spot aircraft lining up onto runway 31L with the mountians in the back. 31L Arrivals will also work, but may be a bit close here.
TIME	From later morning till later afternoon roughly.
MISC.	Ladder or small 1-2 step needed here to clear the fence! Heat haze can be an issue on hot days while shooting line-ups. There is a Mexican restaurant and a mall just around the corner.
FOCAL LENGTH	50-250mm

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	Spot #3 – Kirk Douglas Way – 31L Arrivals + Taxiways
WHERE	This spot is basically located all along the fence running next to Kirk Douglas way parallely to the taxiway. Get rid of your car in the nearby Cellphone/Call Parking lot and search your favourite position along the fence somewhere, ideally a bit hidden by bushes that passing cars do not see you directly and call police immediately.
WHAT	This spot offers views ontot 31L arrivals plus the tawxiways infront (to/from the terminal + towards 31L Line-Up).
TIME	From later morning/noon till later afternoon/sunset depending on the location and subject.
MISC.	A ladder or small 1-2 step is needed to clear the view over the fence here. Heat haze can be an issue on hot days while shooting arrivals and line-ups in the distance. There is a Mexican restaurant and a mall just around the corner.
FOCAL LENGTH	18-300mm

3A – Eastern option: Runway + Line-Ups

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3B – Western option: Taxiway + Ramp

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	Spot #4 – Museum Parking Lot – All runway movements and taxiway
WHERE	Drive from highway 111 into the Palm Springs Air Museum and turn right into the North Parking Lot, not to be confused with the main lot in front of the museum entrance. Head to the runway and park at the end of the lot directly at the fence.
WHAT	Usually all runway movements. Best for 13L/R departures and arrivals but 31 departures as well as most 31 arrivals will pass by too. Taxiway to the eastern GA ramp can be spotted too. Of course you should visit the exhibition of the museum as well!
TIME	Early morning hours only as heat will pop up pretty quick.
MISC.	Ladder or small 1-2 step needed here to clear the fence but we recommend the use of a Pickup Truck. Toilest and vending machines inside the museum. Gate might be closed but usually its open all time.
FOCAL LENGTH	Citation = 140mm

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