Alabama Hills Recreation Area

Beautiful site with lots of spaces for dispersed camping where you don’t feel like you’re camping next to anyone. The view of the Sierra Nevadas is unmatched. Beautiful area

Was one of the most beautiful campgrounds I’ve stayed at. Just unfortunate that most the spots are labeled “Day Use Only.” Luckily we ran into someone nice enough to offer sharing their campground. Definitely a place you’d want to show up 4-5 hours early to find a spot. Otherwise, the roads were not too bad. The below freezing temps were well worth the stunning views.

Absolutely love this spot! Very cool rock formations all around you. Nice short trail nearby that takes you by a stream.

Nearby to lone pine where I had one of the best patty melts ever. And internet is great if you need to work.

Keep an eye out for the 4x4 roads as the other spots get filled up. Don’t go in summer with pets unless you have an AC

Depending on the time of year, it may be hard to find a spot. You can't park anywhere, but there are designated spots to camp in. I went at the end of April and it was packed. 

You might be able to park overnight and leave early in the morning in some areas, not sure how much they patrol the area. 

No cell coverage for T-Mobile, but I used my WeeBoost and got two bars, enough to make calls and texts.  

Use caution when traversing though the area to find a site if you have a normal sedan or normal vehicle height. The road is bumpy and there can areas that are steep. 

My Van got stuck through a slot canyon as I was trying to find a site. I didn't have my recovery tracks, since it was a last minute stop on the way back from Mammoth. 

With the help of a nice nearby camper who had a wench, we were able to free my van in three hours.  It was around midnight, so I ended up just driving out and parking in Lone Pine to sleep for a few hours.

THIS PLACE IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. HEAVEN ON EARTH!!! Only thing I would advise against is getting there in the dark. We got there around 9pm and it started snowing. We couldn’t see a foot ahead of us and had no idea where we were. Finding an overnight spot was almost impossible. However the view we woke up to the next morning was out of this world. We were the in April. Nights are cold (we god snow) temperature during the day is very comfortable! Cell phone service is touch and go. Garbage disposal available at entrance as wells as porta potties. The overnight spots can be hard to find and are popular. Get there before noon if you want to secure a spot. Absolutely worth the detour. Don’t hesitate. Just go!

The main Whitney portal - Movie road crossroad was closed, we went there from the other side. Then after about 20 minutes "driving" on Movie road (very very bumby terrain) and still meeting only signs "day use only" we just turned back and eventually stayed at a place near another road nearby (Horse-something road). Wouldn't go there again.

The main road to the dispersed campground was closed but there was other roads nearby. Found one close to the Tuttle Creek Campground that was super secluded and quiet. The views were amazing and there were plenty of trails around to go explore the unique terrain! No campfires in the area during summertime, but would definitely camp here again!

The road was closed to the main campground road, but there were other spots up the road towards Tuttle Creek campground. The spot was super secluded and quite with amazing views! No fires allowed during the summer time but can’t beat the price! Would definitely camp here again!

Came because we needed a place to camp overnight. Unfortunately I was not aware that the BLM changed their policy on dispersed camping at Alabama Hills. They have limited marked camping spots and encourage visitors to camp at other nearby campgrounds.

One of my favorite places in the world. Easy in, easy out. Amazing night sky.

I found a 4x4 spot in the dark that a trailer couldn’t get into. The next morning I moved to a bigger spot 2 camp spots down because the first one didn’t get sun. In hindsight I should have stayed. It got super windy and the larger site was intense. Be prepared for to pack it all in and out coz you aren’t digging many cat holes. Tons of privacy at many sites. Drive around before settling based on weather because there are some amazing spots wedged between big rocks that provide amazing shelter.

Not sure if exact coordinates but I took the next major turnoff on the right after the scary face painted rock.

Amazing camping. Very quiet and no light contamination. Beautiful night sky’s and dispersed camping

One of the coolest campgrounds I've been to. Not much to say that hasn't already been said,  but if you have any kind of 4x4 vehicle be sure to drive it back into the rocks a ways, there are some great tucked in sites.

Came in a Tesla Model 3 after supercharging at Lone Pine.

Very hard to navigate at night, recommend to show up during the day.

Roads are well maintained, look out for signs that show where you can/can’t settle down.

Woke up to lots of rocks

I’ve camped here several times and I’ve never been disappointed. A creek runs right through the camp from the mountains, we just put the cooler right in the water and everything stays icy cold! Gorgeous views and the STARS!! Rock climbing areas all around. This campsite also has a bathroom which is very nice but bring your own TP. Check out Mobias Arch trail - it’s a must do! The best BBQ you’ll have in California about 40 min away.

Pull off the road right up the hill from Lone Pine. Great place to camp at the end of a long drive. Wake up to breakfast in Lone Pine at the Alabama Hills Cafe (yum!) and then drive up to Eastern Sierras for an early morning start.

Beautiful. Lots of Bears so be careful and aware

Not Free - Cost is $26 per night, reservations needed

Except winter months are free at the moment

Always check for updates

https://www.blm.gov/visit/alabama-hills

Incredible stay for boondocking. Stunning area and easy to navigate on the dirt roads with RV if you can find a site closer to where the asphalt ends. We had no problem in November. 

Amazing weather. The sites are a little limited to one side of the recreation area, but we got lucky with our spot. AT&T service was 2 of 4 bars and we were able to work remote and live stream on that service. 

Small town of Lone Pine- there isn't much going on, but some good restaurants- TX bbq, Totem Cafe, etc., friendly locals,Jake's Saloon and accessible to Bishop, Independence. The Western Film Museum is a must. Only$5/person and it was definitely worth more than$5. Manzanar was also very interesting to learn more about. 

Movie Road connects to Whitney Portal Rd that will take you up to the trailhead for Mt. Whitney. Permits required, along with a fee and can reserve online and then pick up at the Lone Pine Visitor center. 

What a special place- we will be back again.

A fantastic campground overlooking the Whitney range with easy access to roclimbing sites of Alabama Hills.

Ten minutes to Lone Pine which has very thick. You may have forgotten to bring.

Site are well spaced to allow some form of privacy in the high mountI desert.

Large grounds with 60 plus sites. Most fairly level using 1 or2 leveling blocks. Small creek runs through grounds. Experienced gusting winds exceeding 50mph. Over the night of our stay. Close to Alabama hills and movie road. Hiking for all abilities. Cost for the stay was $4.00. That was using “America the beautiful pass”. Pit toilets that were clean and maintained.

I dispersed camped here in late September and it was absolutely beautiful. Views of Mt. Whitney, perfect camping weather and sleeping temperatures, otherworldly landscapes, what else do you need?

Pretty dusty from offroaders sometimes but its pretty quiet at night with everything being spaced out a LOT. It's all dispersed camping so no bathrooms, trash, water, etc. Find a nice dirt patch and it's yours. Lots of great hidden spots.

This spot was absolutely incredible with some of the best views I’ve ever seen.

There weren’t amenities or anything but with a view like that, it doesn’t even matter. We brought our 22 ft airstream through here and took some random side roads until we found the perfect spot. I was a bit nervous at first but it handled the roads like a champ. I’d be careful because some are bumpy but most seemed pretty good and definitely well maintained.

The area is so large that even though there were a lot of cars driving by in the distance, there’s kind of no way you’d be even close to anyone.

We saw jackrabbits and many birds which was our entertainment.

Didn’t have any cell service but it was comforting to know that the town of Lone pine was right down the street.

This place felt straight out of a movie (which is funny because there was a sign saying many were filmed there)

Hot in July with little to no breeze through the night but truly breathtaking

This place is a dream. Free dispersed camping anywhere you see, & pretty well maintained dirt roads throughout. The landscape is just beyond beautiful and the area is so big to explore. There may be other people, but it would be a challenge to run into them unless going on one of the more popular hikes.

There’s little to no cell service in many areas, so be prepared for that. It can also get very hot.

Easy to find and extremely scenic. Lots of open spots, just had to find one big enough for our trailer. Saw a lot of tent campers. Stayed two nights total. The nights are amazing here! Incredible star gazing and the wind dies down. During the day in July it’s hot and windy, so much that it’s hard to do anything. Sunset is beautiful and worth it.

This place is absolutely gorgeous. I have camped out here 3 times now. Each time it never disappoints and never gets old. I love that it doesn’t have amenities because it lets me feel like we are far out there even though there is easy access to town.