182 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Alabama Hills, California provides dispersed and established camping opportunities throughout Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land at the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The Alabama Hills Recreation Area offers free dispersed camping with sites scattered among unique rock formations, while developed options include Tuttle Creek Campground and Whitney Portal with more amenities. Tent camping, RV sites, and cabin rentals are available within the broader region, with options ranging from primitive dispersed sites to full-hookup campgrounds like Boulder Creek RV Resort in Lone Pine.
Road access varies significantly between campgrounds in the Alabama Hills area, with some requiring high-clearance vehicles. Movie Road provides the main access point for dispersed camping in Alabama Hills, with numerous unmarked pullouts suitable for overnight stays. Most dispersed sites lack amenities like water, toilets, or trash service, though established campgrounds offer varying levels of facilities. Fire restrictions frequently apply, especially during dry summer months. A visitor noted: "The BLM page for Alabama Hills gives perfect directions: take Hwy 395 to Lone Pine, turn west at the stoplight onto Whitney Portal Road, drive 2.5 miles to Movie Road, turn right."
Campers consistently praise the dramatic landscape of the Alabama Hills area, which features distinctive weathered granite boulders with Sierra Nevada mountain views. Many reviews highlight the privacy and spaciousness of dispersed camping areas despite their proximity to Lone Pine. According to one visitor, "This spot was an absolute gem nestled in some amazingly beautiful rock formations. The spot was right off the main road and didn't take much effort to get to." Developed campgrounds like Diaz Lake provide lake access, though reviews indicate they can become crowded and noisy during peak season. Sites near water sources tend to have more abundant insects than the drier dispersed locations in the rocky terrain. The Alabama Hills camping area has gained popularity due to its use as a filming location for numerous movies and commercials, which has increased visitation in recent years.
"We absolutely love Alabama Hills. BLM land so you can camp anywhere. So many beautiful views."
"Alabama Hills California presents a varied landscape. From the picture above you can plainly see the desert floor to MT. Whitney, snow capped in March of 2018."
"Near Lone Pine, just off Whitney Portal Road, adjacent to Alabama Hills, so lots of exploring opportunities! Great dark skies for stargazing and photography."
"This spot is great if you want easy access to Alabama Hills but don’t want to deal with having no toilets and no reservations. Still beautiful views throughout the campgrounds."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"There are hiking trails from the campground itself, a gorgeous river flowing through it and the camp sites are spacious."
"It is close to Whitney portal, alabama hills, onion valley, and many other hiking/backpacking destinations. We took out 7 and 9 year old boys and they had a blast."
from $34 - $95 / night
Check Availability"The Dyrt listing shows they have a dump station but when we stopped in after a trip to Alabama Hills we were informed their dump station was no longer 'operational'."
"It's on the outskirts of downtown Lone Pine, but the views are beautiful of the mountains and the RV park is spacious with plenty of room to get your steps in. "
from $38 - $75 / night
Check Availability"All around a killer spot. If it weren’t for the Alabama hills being even better, even cheaper, even more private, it would be a no brainer. But if you want any facilities...."
"While visiting Alabama Hills Recreation Area (AHRA) we made Lone Pine on our next stop for our second campsite and to relax for my 44th birthday 🎂 Since the terrain is a little different it was a nice"
from $34 - $81 / night
Check Availability"This is a small lake and they limit the number of motorboats to 25, which is about 20 too many in my estimation. "
"This is a great driving reprieve from traveling along the 395! A lovely little lake surrounded by giant oak trees that offer lots of nice shade to spend time resting."
from $14 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Big points for being close to a great little town - highly recommend Alabama Hills bakery. Cell service good enough for streaming."
"Not the dispersed camping I was looking for but at least I found something because Alabama Hills and Tuttle Creek were packed on a Friday afternoon."
from $14 / night
Check Availability"The BLM page for Alabama Hills gives perfect directions the coordinates below took us out of town east. Take Hwy 395 to Lone Pine."
"walk less than 100 yards and go climbing."
"This is my third or fourth time camping in the Alabama Hills area, this time I had no cell reception at my campsite, but could walk to get some of the road."
"Sierras backpacking trip. restrooms and bear lockers are provided. use them as there is a lot of bear activity. cover any odorous items in your vehicle. pretty campground with tons and tons of trees. steps"
"The trail head camp ground was very nice and well maintained. Vault toilets and fresh water with plenty of access to bear boxes to properly store your food."
GuideGreat location, awesome scenery and the sites are pretty nice. The reason for 3 stars is that the toilets are replaced with porta potties ( the machines n ones are locked) and the garbage is over flowing in the dumpster. There was no toilet paper in the women’s “restroom”. That was after the maintenance guy was here.
GuideI've camped here several times over the past 4 years, whenever headed north up the 395. I love to explore and photograph the rock structures, it is worth stopping by just to check them out! I grew up watching western films and the history of this area is amazing! So many westerns were filmed here - if you have time then I recommend stopping in at the Film Museum in the town, just a short drive away. It's fascinating! And there's plenty of cafes and restaurants along the main road too. It can get extremely windy, which may affect you if you're tent camping. But some of the camping areas have a certain amount of shelter. Many sites are not level, but I'm happy to sleep on a slant just to be in this magical place!
ScoutBeautiful place to camp!
GuideFirst time here. Is sooo cool. Little windy but the wind did die down for a bit then started again. Little hard finding a spot. Is Monday and most of the spots were taken by the entrance.
GuideIf you’re looking for a great camping experience, I highly recommend this campground—five stars from Monday through Thursday, but be cautious about the weekend, where it drops to three stars. I love small, rustic campgrounds, and this one strikes a perfect balance; it’s not too small and not too large. The camp manager does an outstanding job keeping the bathrooms clean and the campsites well-maintained. I arrived on Monday, the 26th, and stayed through Thursday, and it was an absolute dream—quiet and peaceful. Most campers were seasoned anglers, day hikers, or backpackers. This place is for those who cherish authentic camping during the week, seeking solitude and a chance to recharge. Isn’t that the essence of camping? However, my weekend experience in a different campsite was a major letdown. It was overrun with weekend warriors who disregarded camping etiquette—loud and rowdy. Many of them hiked to the lake, and at one point, I thought a UFO had landed in the campground, only to discover it was just city campers with string lights everywhere. A few tips: the photos online can be quite misleading, so choose wisely when booking. In my view, there are about ten really nice campsites, but some are much better than others. And unless you like a boisterous scene, I wouldn’t recommend camping on the weekends. I enjoy country music, but I prefer to keep it low-key after 10 PM. I would certainly come back again—but only on weekdays!
RangerGreat view of Mt. Whitney! Some sites narrow and/or sloped so selection important especially if have slide-out. Clean concrete floors in pit toilet bldgs. Water available during our stay. Nice hiking trail west side of campground for valley and Whitney Portal views! Paved roads in campground. Easy access to Whitney Portal and town. Overall very nice stay.
TravelerStopped here on the way to Convict Lake. Full hook ups and a fully stocked general store. Not bad for one night. You can hear road noise from 395.
GuideGreat area, has bathrooms & water, near by is a convenient store with a laundry mat & showers and the water is warm but it takes a few quarters the mini mart has all types of food and gifts can’t go wrong with the area, a lot of hikes and places to explore near by as well as a transit system to take you through the park
GuideThe city of los Angeles owns most of the land out here that’s flat and perfect for camping, a lot of the other ideal spots are on day use only roads, aggravating to say the least
Alabama Hills camping area sits at approximately 4,000-5,000 feet elevation at the eastern base of California's Sierra Nevada range, creating a dramatic transition zone between alpine mountains and high desert. The region experiences extreme temperature variations with summer days often exceeding 90°F while winter nights can drop well below freezing. Seasonal wind patterns through nearby Owens Valley can create sudden gusts that impact tent camping, particularly during spring and fall transition periods.
Sunrise photography at Mobius Arch: Located a short hike from Movie Road, this natural stone arch perfectly frames Mount Whitney. "The moon rise was quite the experience. Then sunrise... it was all just so beautiful," notes a visitor to Alabama Hills Recreation Area.
Fishing at Diaz Lake: This accessible spot near Lone Pine offers trout fishing opportunities throughout the year. "There was a nice stream you could fish with some trout," reports a camper at Lone Pine Campground.
Explore filming locations: The area has been featured in numerous films including Iron Man and Star Wars. "Very nice view. Some clips of the film Ironman and Star Wars took place," mentions a visitor to Alabama Hills Side Trail.
Acclimatize before Whitney hikes: Use lower elevation campgrounds to adjust before attempting higher altitudes. "This campground is right at the trailhead for Mt. Whitney! Because of this the campgrounds do fill up insanely quick! Be sure to book at least 2-3 months out," advises a camper at Whitney Portal.
Spacing between sites: Many dispersed camping areas provide privacy despite popularity. "All with amazing views. SUV would probably be best for navigating the roads or at least 4x4. They're all pretty far apart so they're private," explains a camper at Alabama Hills Recreation Area.
Creek sounds: Several campgrounds feature flowing water that creates soothing background noise. "The campground was nice, quiet. There's a pretty little creek that splits the campground that gives off soothing sounds," notes a visitor at Portuguese Joe Campground.
Dark skies for astronomy: The area's limited light pollution makes it ideal for stargazing. "It's so quiet at night you could hear a pin drop. The stars and the Milky Way are insane! So many constellations and shooting stars and satellites," shares an Alabama Hills Recreation Area visitor.
Winter camping value: Off-season camping offers both solitude and savings. "Perfect... $5 winter camping. Water is at Portuguese Joe's county campground," reports a camper at Tuttle Creek Campground.
Campsite restrictions changing: Recent management changes have limited dispersed camping areas. "The only places you can camp are designated now. Tuttle creek. Everywhere else there are signs for no camping and only day use," cautions a 2025 visitor to Alabama Hills Recreation Area.
Arrival timing matters: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially during peak seasons. "Definitely a place you'd want to show up 4-5 hours early to find a spot. Otherwise, the roads were not too bad," advises an Alabama Hills camper.
Elevation temperature differences: Expect significant temperature changes between valley and mountain campsites. "Gets pretty toast in the summer though," warns a camper about Alabama Hills, while another notes "Below freezing temps were well worth the stunning views."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Alabama Hills, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, Alabama Hills, CA offers a wide range of camping options, with 182 campgrounds and RV parks near Alabama Hills, CA and 57 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Alabama Hills, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Alabama Hills, CA is Alabama Hills Recreation Area with a 4.7-star rating from 87 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Alabama Hills, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 57 free dispersed camping spots near Alabama Hills, CA.
What parks are near Alabama Hills, CA?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 parks near Alabama Hills, CA that allow camping, notably Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks and Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
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